Job Abstract

JOB SUMMARY:  

• The Respiratory Care Practitioner II (RCP II) performs all Respiratory Care procedures and diagnostic studies that are ordered by a Physician within the departmental scope of service. The RCP II has achieved the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification. The RCP II has demonstrated the ability to perform complex procedures and the critical thinking skills required to serve in critical care setting gathering information, operating complex equipment, monitoring patients, and recording all procedures in accordance with department policies and procedures.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) New Grad or one year experience as RCP in an acute care setting preferred
• Meditech and MS Outlook skill preferred.
• RRT Certification

EDUCATION:

• Respiratory Therapist (Respiratory Care Practitioner) - preferred graduate of an AMA approved school of respiratory therapy
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)—certification by NBRC (National Board of Respiratory Care)

LICENSURES/CERTIFICATION:

• California State Respiratory Care Practitioner’s License
• Current Basic Life Support (AHA) Course Certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification within 6 months of hire  
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification within 6 months of hire
• Must successfully complete and maintain LA City Fire Card certification at the time of hire or within the first 30 days of employment

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (These are the essential job functions for this position. The essential functions of this job include, but may not be limited to those listed in this job description. Employees hired for this position must be able to perform the essential function of this job without imposing significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others):

• Performs assignment as delegated by the RCP Clinical Supervisor, RCP Relief Clinical Supervisor or Manager of Respiratory Care Services whenever necessary to ensure efficient operation of the department.
• Attends staff meetings or reviews minutes to promote team communications in support of overall hospital mission and customer satisfaction.
• Monitor and assess patient’s response to prescribed respiratory care modalities; notifying Physicians, RNs and RCP Clinical Supervisor or RCP Relief Clinical Supervisor with any concerns regarding therapies being administered.
• Performs prescribed pulmonary procedures including, but not limited to; arterial punctures, capillary sticks, pulse oximetry, aerosolized medication administration, airway/mechanical ventilator management, emergency response (Code Blue and/or Rapid Response Team), screening spirometry, and blood gas analysis.
• Participates in the orientation and education of new Respiratory Therapists.
• Maintains current licensure within the state of California to practice Respiratory Care.
• Adheres to the National Patient Safety Goals, applying them in the care of their patients.
• Properly completes all patient documentation/charting and departmental charging procedures before the end of the shift.
• Cleans and disinfects respiratory care equipment, assists in the stocking of equipment bins, drawers, and shelves.
• Reviews quality control for blood gas analysis equipment and notifies the Pulmonary Function Technician and/or RCP Clinical Supervisor or RCP Relief Clinical Supervisor for routine maintenance needs and troubleshooting of machine.
• Seeks opportunities to cross-train into specialty units/tasks: ex (PICU, NICU, RCP Relief Clinical Supervisor and Pulmonary Lab), maintaining competency to advance in those areas.
• Provides input to Respiratory Management/Leaders on new products or equipment demonstrations in a timely manner.
• Adheres to the hospital policy on the attendance of scheduled shifts.

RCP RELIEF CLINICAL SUPERVISOR:

• RCP II, who has completed training with an RCP Clinical Supervisor to fill in when S/he is absent.

• When the RCP Clinical Supervisor is not present, the RCP Relief Clinical Supervisor will fill in by managing RCP staff and providing safe, evidence-based, and patient-centered care/education. 
• Assists with overall operations of Respiratory Care Services and Pulmonary Function Laboratory.
• Serves as a role model with the RCS department operations and assisting education as needed.
• S/he is accountable for the provision of diagnostic, treatment, and educational services for patients of all ages who require emergency airway and ventilatory support, as well as those with chronic conditions.
• Assists the Director and Manager of RCS in accomplishing the strategic plan and upholding the values of the organization.

RCP PRECEPTOR:

• RCP II who has completed Preceptor Training with RCP Director, Manager or Educator.
• Serves as a role model, demonstrates professional conduct, and leads by example.
• Responsible to teach and train new hire and new grad RCPs as well as doing remedial training for RCP staff when needed.
• Acts as a Guide and Clinical Advisor, which includes evaluation and constructive criticism when appropriate, ensuring that all orientation goals for specific areas are met by RCPs in training.
• Communicates issues with Management in a timely manner.

The following job accountabilities are not unique to this particular job but are common to all jobs at VPH:

• Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence.  Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large.  Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions.  Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
• Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members.  Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
• Participates in operational aspects of the department and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.
• Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life  safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices.  Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the workplace.  Maintains a safe environment for self and others.
• Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting.  Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes.  Participates in education activities and process implementation.  Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.
• The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job. They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Primarily an inside building/office environment, well lighted and ventilated, which may consist of multiple treatment and/or work sites.
• Fast and continuous work pace with variable workload.
• Frequent contact with staff and public under a variety of circumstances.  Requires ability to communicate clearly (in English) verbally and in writing for effective communication with other staff members, physicians, vendors, community members, patients and patient families, employees and applicants of all socio-economic levels from a diverse cultural and ethnic population.
• Subject to many interruptions from multiple calls and inquiries and potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, illness and/or death.
• Handles emergency/crisis situations in accordance with Hospital policy.
• Answers phones or pages; may carry a beeper/pager, and/or use a two-way radio.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Potential risk of exposure to hazards from chemicals (toxic and non-toxic), flammable materials, gas or electrical or radiant energy or equipment with/without moving parts.
• Visual acuity to observe patient assessment data and use manual/automated documentation tools
• Manual dexterity to operate computers, calculators, and various other related equipment
• Physical strength necessary to perform occasional (0 to32% of the time) lifting, pushing, pulling (40-50 lbs.), frequent (33-65% of the time) sitting, walking/standing (6-8 hours), and occasional (0-  32% of the time) twisting, squatting, turning, reaching, and stretching maneuvers in performing duties

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

   Patient Care

• Continuous standing/walking and occasional/intermittent sitting.
• Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and shoulder level to handle/operate medical equipment/devices.

• Frequent reaching above shoulder level and overhead.

• Frequent forward bending, twisting, squatting and kneeling; occasional climbing.
• Occasional repositioning and transferring patients weighing up to 200 pounds between bed, chair, and gurney.
• Occasional lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional/intermittent pushing of gurneys, wheelchairs, bed and other medical equipment over tiled and carpeted surfaces.
• Continuous use of near vision to read medical equipment such as monitoring devices and reading documents and computer screens; hearing and verbal communication to interact with patients, co-workers, and other customers.

Salary Range:  $41.45 - $51.36 per hour