Respiratory Care Practitioner- Casual

Job Summary:

The Respiratory Care Practitioner is responsible for performing cardiopulmonary diagnostics, therapeutic procedures, assessments and teaching to a diverse population of patients of all ages. 

Deliver patient treatment by assessing, treating and caring for patients with breathing disorders, including initiating and conducting therapeutic procedures

• Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation 
• Provide comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation services, including patient assessment, exercise supervision, disease management education, treatment planning, and outcome monitoring to improve patients’ respiratory health and quality of life
• Monitor patient’s physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, consult with physician if adverse reaction occurs
• Read prescriptions, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition
• Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears
• Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems
• Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians’ orders
• Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment. 
• Perform pulmonary function testing to evaluate patients’ respiratory status. Ensures that pulmonary function equipment is functioning, recognizes when repairs are needed. 
• Assist with endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own.
• Assist in bronchoscopy procedure by preparing equipment, administering medications during procedure, assessing the patient before, during and after the procedure. 

Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.

• Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
• Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.

Maintains charts that contain patients; pertinent identification and therapy information

Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to deliver quality patient care.

• Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
• Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.

Additional responsibilities 

• Calls and schedules patients
• Work with vendors to obtain Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for patients 
• Teaching respiratory modalities to other team members outside of Respiratory Care Department.

* While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary 

Education & Licensure: 

• National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed, registry preferred
• Current WI License required
• BLS required

Experience:

• Minimum one year experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with little direction and manage multiple demands and priorities
• Proven ability to take initiative and is resourceful
• Ability to analyze and solve problems

Role-specific Competencies: 

• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Prolonged periods of standing, bending, and reaching
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times

St. Croix Health has been a healing force in the St. Croix Valley for over 103 years. We are a purpose-driven organization with a dedicated team committed to serving our patients and communities throughout the St. Croix Valley. This commitment is rooted in our mission, vision and values. 

Mission: To deliver care driven by excellence, guided by heart, and grounded in community.

Vision: To be a trusted partner in providing healthcare that is personal and accessible to all, by adapting to meet the needs of our communities, and support lifelong well-being.

Values: Integrity. Respect. Compassion. Collaboration

Here at St. Croix Health, we offer our employees with a robust benefits package that includes:

• Health, vision and dental insurance
• 403b retirement program with employer match
• Paid time off
• Short-term disability, long-term disability and life insurance options
• Education reimbursement
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Wellbeing incentive program
• Free parking

St. Croix Health is a not-for-profit healthcare system located in St. Croix Falls, WI dedicated to helping people live healthier, happier, and longer lives. St. Croix Health offers the services of 80+ providers and 20 specialties with five community clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin all supported by a critical access hospital on the main campus in St. Croix Falls, just an hour northeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Nestled in the bluffs of the St. Croix River Valley, St. Croix Falls is the ideal place to work, live and play.