Overview

Under general supervision of the Respiratory Care Director and Managers, supervises and monitors the daily work activities of an assigned group of Respiratory Care Practitioners performing respiratory therapy techniques and procedures. Fulfillment of the job duties requires the employee to have access to medication storage areas.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibility 1: Supervises the daily work activities of Respiratory Care Practitioners and students in accordance with departmental and UMMC personnel policies and procedures. Serves as a resource on advanced respiratory therapy and practice to Respiratory Care Practitioners and students. Offers guidance and direction to respiratory staff regarding complex assessments and treatment procedures, as needed. Participates in training and orientation of Respiratory Care Practitioners and students in respiratory therapy programs and standards of practice as requested.

Key Responsibility 2: Performs a variety of respiratory care treatments to a specific patient population (adult, pediatric, or neonatal). Verifies all interventions are supported by protocol or LIP order. Observes and monitors physical signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care procedures. Collaborates with LIP during patient rounds the therapeutic treatment plans to determine whether initiation, modification, or discontinuation of the treatment regimen is warranted. Adheres to Joint Commission, State, Federal, organizational and departmental regulatory compliance standards.

Key Responsibility 3: Administers therapeutic and diagnostic gases (exclusive of anesthetic agents), aerosolized medication treatments and chest physiotherapy. Administers invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation and adjusts ventilation equipment to optimize patient support. Ensures correct ventilator alarms and settings. Collaborates with the healthcare team when adjusting ventilation parameters and settings, as necessary in accordance with patient's response. Evaluates the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions by interpreting chest x-rays, utilizing noninvasive monitor values and blood gas results. Monitors patient appearance and vital signs and consults the LIP if any escalation of care is deemed necessary. Consult a senior peer or supervisor if support is needed.

Key Reasonability 4: Suggests quality assurance topics, reviews and evaluates Respiratory Care techniques, and suggests alternative methods that may improve the delivery of respiratory services. Reviews and instructs Respiratory Care Practitioners in advanced therapeutic techniques, utilization of therapy equipment and quality assurance in accordance with The Joint Commission standards and departmental procedures.

Key Responsibility 5: Documents accurate patient care activity in various electronic health records systems.

Key Responsibility 6: Actively participates in departmental and organizational performance improvement initiatives and efforts to improve workflows, patient experience and quality. Actively participates in student and employee training and education activities. On-going collaboration with Respiratory Care Director, Managers, Nurse Managers, and Physicians, especially in area of responsibility.