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Job Description
We’re saving lives, building careers, and reimagining healthcare We can’t wait to grow alongside you
Company Description
It takes a lot of very smart, hard-working and talented people to provide the level of care that we give to our patients
Tufts Medical Center is an internationally respected academic medical center and we pride ourselves not only on the sophistication of the care we deliver, but the compassionate way in which we provide it
And that starts with our employees
Job Description
This position is responsible for respiratory care for patients of all age groups, who are diagnosed with cardio-pulmonary dysfunction
Services are provided throughout the Tufts Medical Center are complex This includes the ICUs, in-patient rooms, the Emergency Room, and outpatient clinics
A request for service originates from the medical staff of Tufts Medical Center It may be written or verbal and can be communicated to the therapist by direct telephone conversation and / or beeper page
The patient’s nurse or unit secretary conveys the order
All patients are assessed for their needs initially and on an on-going basis until no longer required Documentation of services provided is recorded in the Respiratory Therapy Progress Notes section located on the department flow sheet
A copy of this document is filed in the patient Medical Record
A list of the specific practices available by this department is noted below A Respiratory Therapist is under the direction of the Director and Assistant Director of Respiratory Care
Patient services are available hours / day, days / year Services are provided in accordance to policies and procedures agreed upon by the Medical Directors of the department
Clinical Practice Guidelines have and continue to evolve as the framework of clinical respiratory care practice These practices are well referenced and sponsored by the American Association for Respiratory Care
Opportunities for growth and career expansion include :
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :
Neonatal and pediatric training
Advanced certifications : ACLS, NRP, PALS
Incentive career ladder supporting expanded skillsets
Participation in neonatal and pediatric transport program
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) training
Participation in orientation of new employees, primary preceptor opportunities
Quality and Safety initiatives : participating in composing and maintaining clinical practice guidelines and protocols
Participation in various departmental and critical care research opportunities
Initiates patients on invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation; routinely checks and maintains proper function of ventilator in conjunction with the physician order
Abides with infection control guideline for invasive and non-invasive equipment per departmental policy Changes and adjusts ventilator parameters based on clinical assessment and blood gas analysis in accordance with physician orders
Weans patients from mechanical ventilation and other therapies through patient assessment and adjusting parameters within prescribed protocols
Administer inhaled medications in accordance with institutional guidelines derived from the department of respiratory care and pharmacy
Administers oxygen using low flow, high flow, open and closed circuits
Embodies patient and family centered care Explains procedures to patients and family
Provides services to analyze blood specimens for blood gases, glucose and electrolytes in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units
Administers Positive Pressure Breathing, (eg CPAP or BiPAP), which consists of the application of positive pressure to the upper airway to promote better lung inflation and aerosol distribution
Routinely assists in the transport of patients requiring life-support to and from referral hospitals
Provides in-house transport of mechanically ventilated and other high-risk patients
Provides non-traditional therapies, eg Nitric Oxide gas administration, as ordered
Provides resuscitation and support services at all high-risk deliveries
Monitors effectiveness of therapy using non-invasive techniques such as pulse oximetry, end tidal CO and transcutaneous PO / PCO, in addition to invasive techniques such as arterial blood gas sampling
Analyzes inspired oxygen concentration using various oxygen analyzers
Calibrates monitors and maintains Transcutaneous Oxygen Monitors, End Tidal CO and pulse Oximetry monitors
Assists in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation as part of Code Team primarily providing airway management and manual resuscitation
Commonly administers drugs via the endotracheal tube during cardiopulmonary rescue eg Lidocaine, Atropine Sulfate and Epinephrine
Documents therapy, patient assessment, and interventions performed and test results in the progress notes of the medical record in a concise, accurate, and thorough manner
Transcribe a detailed shift note for all patient’s cared for during the shift
Responsible for acknowledging the proper assembly of all respiratory therapy equipment prior to and during patient use
Performs daily rounds and fairly bills patients for services rendered
Attend rounds daily with the intensive care unit critical care team and is an active participant in the patient’s care
Assists with development of in-service programs for departmental personnel
Assists the Associate Director with the orientation of new employees; acts as a preceptor for new employees and is utilized as a clinical instructor for students enrolled in local universities
Administers therapeutic agents such as Heliox, Surfactant, Tobramycin, Ribavirin and Pentamidine in accordance with established Departmental procedure
Provides services for new clinical programs as research protocols are developed
Qualifications
JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS :
Ability to walk and stand for approximately % of the time
Ability to transport respiratory therapy equipment (up to lbs) using carts or wheels on the equipment to and from patient areas
One needs to demonstrate the ability to communicate with and assess the patient needs of different age populations to provide the necessary care
This will be demonstrated by supervisory review of Daily Shift Notes documented in all areas of clinical practice Skills will be rated as part of your Performance Appraisal
Ability to perform all required duties under emergency and extreme stress situations
When cross-trained to perform neonatal and pediatric services, one is expected to acquire and maintain NRP and PALS certification
Demonstration of competency is required on an annual basis This will include computer based training and evaluation in adult, pediatric and neonatal mechanical ventilators
EDUCATION :
Bachelor’s degree level in health profession, science or equivalent is preferred
Associates degree in Respiratory Therapy is required
Must possess the RRT credential
Knowledge of medical terminology, physiology of the cardiopulmonary system and respiratory therapy science
EXPERIENCE :
One to two years on the job experience in acute and critical care
An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements
LICENSES, ETC :
Must be currently licensed and in good standing with the Licensure Board of Registration of Massachusetts
Must be a Registered Respiratory Therapist, be issued Registration from the National Board of Respiratory Care
AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES :
Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process This includes :
Knowledge of growth and development
Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care
Provide age specific communication
WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS :
Most work is performed on patient floors, emergency room, outpatient clinics, and respiratory therapy workrooms
Exposure to infectious patients, blood products, and contaminated equipment
Works with high-pressure gas systems and uses gas mixtures which support combustion
Exposed to potentially toxic aerosols such as RibavirinÒ and PentamidineÒ and poisonous gases eg nitric oxide & nitrogen dioxide
Frequent contact with patients and their families, medical and nursing staff, unit secretary and other employees
Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts
Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network
Please note that effective October , , as a condition of employment at Tufts Medicine, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID- vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and / or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment
Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at [email protected]
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