Job Information
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health NICU Respiratory Therapist in Tacoma, Washington
Overview
In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.
CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.
While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!
Responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
This job is responsible for evaluating, administering, addressing and documenting, within scope of practice, a complete array of basic and advanced respiratory care involving therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for neonates and care teams in the NICU at the assigned hospital. Work includes: 1) attending high-risk deliveries and C-sections; 2) setting up and monitoring a variety of complex respiratory equipment; 3) administering respiratory therapy treatments such as oxygen, therapeutic aerosols, intermittent positive pressure breathing, incentive spirometer and airway care to include intubation/estuation and tracheotomy care; 4) monitoring patients for adverse reaction and taking appropriate corrective action based on established procedures; and 5) determining the effectiveness and/or need for change in the therapy being administered and making recommendations to the physicians regarding treatment.
Incumbents are also accountable for providing resuscitation services, participating in various orientations, providing educational/orientation services to students, quality improvement and department projects, providing and maintaining skill levels to reflect the ever-changing procedures and techniques of respiratory care. Work may also include responsibility for providing respiratory care services as outlined above, to adult patients at the assigned hospital in areas of care to exclude intensive care units (ICUs).
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Under the direction of Neonatologist or NNP, delivers patient care within the respiratory care scope of practice, including (but not limited to): mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), surfactant replacement, airway management, blood gas sampling and neonatal resuscitation, in accordance with all department safety, risk management and procedural standards.
Continually evaluates and assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of patients using data acquired from physical examination, respiratory monitoring, and diagnostic equipment.
Determines the effectiveness and/or need for change in the therapy and recommends changes to the provider as needed.
Communicates patient assessment to nursing and other staff, as appropriate.
Documents all work activity in applicable computer system to include billing charges in accordance with department specific processes.
Participates in the transfer of equipment and supplies to and from other Cardiopulmonary Departments as necessary; cleans, assembles and maintains CPS equipment and restocks supplies as needed.
Performs related duties as required.
Cultural Sensitivity and Competence: Demonstrates proper use of communication tools/materials for effective communication and understands how the culture(s) of patient populations can affect communication, collaboration and the provision of care, treatment and services. Patient Population Served: Demonstrates knowledge and proper skills associated with the department’s defined specific populations served.
Qualifications
Education/Work Experience Requirements
Requires graduation from an approved school of Respiratory Therapy and one (1) year recent clinical experience in Respiratory Care that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities. Related neonatal work experience is strongly preferred.
Licensure/Certification
License to practice as a respiratory care practitioner through the Washington State Department of Health required.
Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through the National Board of Respiratory Care required. Those hired into this role before 10/1/19 are exempt from this requirement.
Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP) required within 6 months of date of hire.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) required within 6 months of date of hire. NOTE: Those hired before March 1, 2024 have 12 months to obtain the certification.
Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS) certification by the National Board of Respiratory Care preferred.
Current healthcare provider BLS Certification.
Pay Range
$35.81 - $54.07 /hour
We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.