Respiratory Care Practitioner

At Houston Methodist the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) position is responsible for performing routine respiratory care procedures as assigned varying in complexity which include but are not limited to preparation administration and monitoring of medication and treatment modalities and gas therapy ventilator support spirometry and assistance with bronchoscopy. This position may perform diagnostic testing of the cardiac respiratory system as appropriate. As a member of the direct patient care team the RCP position provides direct assistance to physicians and other care health professionals with respiratory carerelated procedures within the scope of the professional licensure. This position delivers exceptional patient care and adheres to standards and guidelines established by respiratory and regulatory agencies and Houston Methodist to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by using progressive skills in therapeutic communication and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner which includes active listening and teaching

• Communicates effectively with others to facilitate providing the highest quality service during every customer and patient encounter

• Practices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles. Serves as a patient advocate in preventing/resolving ethical issues. Facilitates interventions to relieve the patients/family spiritual distress

• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement i.e. peertopeer accountability

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs respiratory care to include but not limited to: arterial blood gas and analysis pulse oximetry spirometry and flow volume loops lung volume determination airway resistance measurement breath diffusion capacity bronchoprovocation testing maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures bronchodilator administration diagnostic radiology procedures. Prepares administers and monitors treatment modalities and medication delivery. Implements monitors and evaluates ventilator support

• Performs other procedures and tests as needed and if assigned such as Electrocardiograms Holters and Arterial Blood Gas

• Provides care for the physical needs of patients by executing various respiratory care concepts to maximize performance which includes positioning physiology procedure preparation and technical factors. Modifies technical factors to achieve desired results and recognizes complications / limitations associated with certain procedures. Proactively identifies how to address these for optimum outcomes

• Uses peertopeer accountability to contribute towards improving department score for patient satisfaction

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Troubleshoots calibrates and performs preventive maintenance and quality control on all equipment and analyzers per department guidelines documenting activities. Assembles prepares cleans and operates bronchoscopy equipment monitoring equipment and accessories in accordance with manufacturing recommendations and department guidelines. Reports malfunctions

• Provides direct assistance to physicians performing tests as ordered assessing and assuring quality acceptability and reliability of results; takes corrective action and involves others as needed toward achievement of this end

• Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and to meet department and hospital targets for quality and safety focusing on the task at hand and reporting near misses and inputing errors promptly into Patient Safety Net to improve processes and identify trends

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accurately documents all patient care and respiratoryrelated activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation system. Enters charges at the time service is delivered

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Selfmotivated to independently manage time effectively minimizing incidental overtime and prioritize daily tasks

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in practice projects focused on innovation efficiency or improvement in patient care and activities. Embraces and enacts new care pathways or service line implementation to improve service to the community

• Identifies own learning needs consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis

This job description is not intended to be allinclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications Licenses and Registrations section

WORK EXPERIENCE

• one year experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• RRT Registered Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) AND
• RCP Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner State Licensure AND
• BLS Basic Life Support (AHA) AND
• ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA) Current incumbents have one year to obtain from effective date of job description within 90 days

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS PREFERRED

• PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support (AHA) depending on area assigned AND
• NRP Neonatal Resuscitation depending on area assigned

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job determined through ongoing skills competency assessments and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking reading and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients physicians family members and coworkers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to maintain patient and exam documents

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients visitors physicians and coworkers

• Demonstrates time management skills

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including organizing work flow and actively participating in problemsolving

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ONCALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be oncall during emergencies (ie. DIsaster Severe Weather Events etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas (twoway tie) and one of Americas Best Hospitals. As a fullservice acutecare hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist it has evolved into one of the nations largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodists primary academic affiliates are among the nations leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New YorkPresbyterian Hospital. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. With 948 operating beds 85 operating rooms and more than 8400 employees Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.

Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women minorities disabled persons and veterans.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

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