Respiratory Care Practitioner I

Job Details: 

The incumbent will perform arterial punctures, continuous ventilation, airway maintenance, emergency care, infection control, isolation procedures, maintenance and operation of mechanical ventilators, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, medical gas administration and demonstrate competency in patient care for neonate, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.

Job Duties: 

• Work area: (% of time: 50%) Works in at least 3 of the following areas: Shift lead, ER, ICU, CSICU, ABG/Pulmonary Lab, Peds, non-critical acute adult areas. Must maintain proficiency to work in at least 3 areas 100% of the time.
• Specialized Skills: (% of time: 5%) Able to assist in with bronchoscopies, be able to act as a willing preceptor to newer employees, students, or staff upgrading their ICU skills, inservicing co-workers and RNs, able to perform bedside PFTs, able to manage complex modes of ventilation. Able to < 3 areas = 1, Able to do 3 of these areas = 2, Able to do > 3 of these areas =3.
• Productivity/billing: (% of time: 10%) Documents accurately time spent with patients and bills accordingly. Completes all necessary paperwork properly, and billing is completed by the end of the shift. Completes data collection forms when necessary. Billing and paperwork are completed properly < 80% of the time = 1, billing and paperwork are completed properly 80% - 95% of the time = 2, billing and paperwork are completed properly 95 100% of the time = 3. (Measurements based on department averages of billing and manager/specialist audits)
• ICU Skills: (% of time: 15%) Sets up, maintains, performs and/or monitors a variety of complex respiratory procedures to critically ill patients. This includes mechanical ventilation, participation in clinical rounds, capnography, waveform analysis, specialty modes of ventilation, weaning parameters, and the ability to follow weaning protocols. 4 or more omissions or episodes of not following department policies per year = 1, 2 4 episodes of not following department policies per year = 2, Less than 2 episodes of not following department policies per year = 3.
• Patient Assessment: (% of time: 7%) Complete assessment done on each patients including documentation according to department policy. Completes the proper assessment and charting forms. Makes sound clinical decisions concerning appropriate patient care. Documents therapeutic goals and charts progress toward goals. Performs poor documentation or inappropriate clinical decisions > 5 times per year = 1, Performs poor documentation or inappropriate clinical decisions 2-5 times per year = 2, Performs complete documentation with sound clinical decisions with < 2 exceptions per year = 3.
• Infection Control: (% of time: 3%) Proper hand washing technique is demonstrated consistently. Equipment changes are done as outlined in department policy. To include: New labeled equipment and labeled equipment bag. Follows universal precautions and infection control policies. There are no more than 4 omissions per year. 4 or greater omissions per year = 1, 3 omissions per year = 2, 2 or fewer omissions per year = 3.
• Patient Education: (% of time: 5%) Instructs patients and families while maintaining patient confidentiality. Teaches patients about their disease process, treatment modalities, proper medication usage, goals and objectives of therapy. Utilizes appropriate clinical pathways and teaching tools available such as Asthma and COPD education packets. Refers to outpatient programs when appropriate. Documents teaching per department policy. Utilizes equipment appropriately for patients age. Performs education appropriately < 90% of the time = 1, Performs education appropriately 90-96% of the time = 2, Performs education appropriately 97% of the time or greater = 3.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Completion of an AMA approved respiratory therapy program. 

Licensure:

• Candidates must have a CA Respiratory Care Practitioner License
• Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association. 
• PALS and ACLS is preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of anatomy physiology pathology and pathophysiology of the cardiorespiratory system biomedical electronics basic mathematics chemistry physics psychology and pharmacology relating to respiratory therapy. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff; ability to remain calm reassure patients and keep accurate and complete records.

Built-in 1973, Dignity Health Methodist Hospital of Sacramento is committed to providing daily excellence in health care for residents of Sacramento’s southern suburbs, including the Elk Grove, Wilton, and Galt communities. Methodist Hospital is home to a 158 acute-care bed facility with 1,120 employees, 283 medical staff, and 29 Emergency Department beds. Methodist Hospital also owns and operates Bruceville Terrace – a 171-bed, sub-acute skilled nursing long-term care facility adjacent to the hospital that provides care for the elderly, as well as those requiring extended recoveries. Methodist Hospital is home to the Family Medicine Residency Program, an accredited and nationally recognized program which provides resident physicians with specialty training in primary care family medicine. Together, the hospital and residency program implemented a ground-breaking curriculum addressing the identification, treatment, and assistance of human trafficking victims and created a one-of-a-kind health clinic for victims, the Human Trafficking Medical Home.

One Community. One Mission. One California