The Respiratory Therapist within the Adult Respiratory Care Department assesses the care needs of patients for whom respiratory care services are requested. They initiate and perform both basic and advanced respiratory care in the management of acutely ill patients and have high participation level in the care of the critically ill as well. As part of the healthcare inpatient team, Respiratory Therapists work closely with providers, nurses and other hospital staff in delivery patient services and assuring safety.
Job duties include but at not limited to:
- Completes training and demonstrates proficiency in all competencies, age-specific or otherwise, that are required of practitioners who are delivering patient services.
- Initiates, maintains and weans patients from continuous mechanical ventilatory support devices which includes discussions with providers for making appropriate ventilator changes based on patient condition and protocols.
- Commits and maintains patients to BiPAP/CPAP therapy.
- Evaluates the need for therapy in general and intensive care patients, and pursues changes to improve care which includes participating in rounds with the primary physician services of the patients they are assigned, and transcribes verbal orders from privileged providers in the patient?s medical record.
- Instructs and precepts respiratory care technicians, students, medical and nursing staff in respiratory care techniques and assists in the mentorship of new employees if so designated.
- Initiates and interprets other complex respiratory care procedures, such as, hemodynamic monitoring non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, arterial punctures, bronchoscopy, analysis of blood gases and electrolytes, patient education and others as designated.
- Is responsible for learning new technical devices and clinical procedures and accurately charting patient care per policy in the electronic health record.
- Actively participates in patient hand-off report to fellow staff and department leadership and attends/participates in case presentations, shift and general staff meetings when necessary.
- Actively participates as a member of hospital cardiac arrest and Rapid Response Teams.
- Performs other job related duties within the Department?s scope of practice as assigned. These include such things as QA, data collection and other chart review functions.
Respiratory Therapist Intermediate
- College graduate with a degree in Respiratory Therapy (minimum Associate's Degree)
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Current licensure as a Respiratory Therapist by Michigan Department of Community Health, Board of Respiratory Care.
- Licensure and credentials must be maintained by the employee at all times during employment (both regular and temporary status positions).
- Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), or certification within 30 days of hire.
- Demonstrates sound understanding of respiratory care principles and pulmonary/cardiac diseases.
- Proficiency in information technology skills (including Microsoft Office software, e-mail and calendar); proven record of effectively learning and utilizing computer systems and technology
- Excellent customer service skills
Graduate Non-Certified Patient Care Technician
- College graduate with a degree in Respiratory Therapy
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) within 90 days of the date of hire.
- Licensure as a Respiratory Therapist by Michigan Department of Community Health, Board of Respiratory Care within 90 days of the date of hire for new graduates (regular and temporary status positions).
- Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), or certification within 30 days of hire.
- Demonstrates sound understanding of respiratory care principles and pulmonary/cardiac diseases.
- Proficiency in information technology skills (including Microsoft Office software, e-mail and calendar); proven record of effectively learning and utilizing computer systems and technology
- Excellent customer service skills
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in respiratory care, science, education or other related field of study.
- One or more years of experience in a university/academic based medical center in a critical care setting.
- Exhibits sound skills in the use of Word, Excel and other software tools with the ability to understand research methodology, mathematical solutions and statistical relationships.
- Evidence of embracing being a lifelong learner as related to continuing professional development.
This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.
This position involves considerable physical and mental effort in job duties, ie, assisting patients, moving equipment, bending, reaching, long periods of standing/walking, keyboarding, and providing emotional support to patients and families. There is frequent use and exposure to disinfectant agents and hand cleaners in all healthcare settings. Having high involvement with acute and critically ill patients, the position may be prone to fatigue and infrequent opportunities for relaxation. It also involves working in a potentially hazardous environment of infectious diseases, high-pressure medical gases and other related conditions.
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Service Employees International Union - Healthcare Michigan (SEIU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
