UW HEALTH JOB DESCRIPTION Respiratory Therapist Senior – Ground Transport Job Code: 520001 FLSA Status: Non-exempt Mgt. Approval: K Scott Date: July 2020 Department: Emergency Med - Ground Transport HR Approval: A Phelps Date: July 2020 Revolinski JOB SUMMARY
The Respiratory Therapist Sr is a highly specialized advanced level clinician with training specific to the care of pediatric and neonatal patients during air and ground critical care transport. The Respiratory Therapist Sr must work in close collaboration with the pediatric transport nurse and medical control physician to provide care. The Respiratory Therapist Sr must have exemplary communication and customer service skills as he/she a first line representative of UW Health. The Respiratory Therapist Sr must be registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care and licensed by the State of Wisconsin.
The first priority will be to assure that the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Ambulance/ Aircraft, and equipment and supplies are in a state of readiness at all times. The Respiratory Therapist Sr. May be assigned to the NICU, PICU, ED or will be assigned other duties within the hospital when not on a transport and will receive assignments that allow for immediate release to respond to an assigned transport. Upon proper training and competency evaluation, assignments for the transportation of adult patients and assignments to Med Flight may be required. The Respiratory Therapist Sr will assist with writing transport policies and procedures and implementation of protocols. The Respiratory Therapist Sr will provide education and training to health care professionals within UW Health and outlying community hospitals.
This position reports to the Critical Care Transport Manager.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The incumbent performs the following job responsibilities:
I. Clinical Practice
A. Provide complete patient care during inter-hospital transports in conjunction with fellow team members B. Completes patient assessment and stabilizes transport patients. C. Sets priorities adapting to changing patient situations. In response to data indicating urgent and/or emergent risk to patient, initiates action to reduce or correct risk. D. Effectively manages patient care with individual patients and their families as a team member E. Perform diagnostic and therapeutic interventions such as but not limited to the following: • interpretation of blood gases and lab values • management of mechanical ventilation and high frequency oscillatory ventilation • administration of nitric oxide and continuous nebulizers F. Upon proper training and competency evaluation, assignments for the transportation of adult patients by ground may be required. G. Represent UW Health to outlying health care facilities with superb communication and customer service. H. Assist in writing or revising transport policies and procedures, education, and competencies. I. Lead or participate in Outreach Education as necessary. J. Present and demonstrate basic pediatric assessments to pediatric ‘mega-codes’. Presentations and demonstrations may be at other hospitals, clinics and schools. K. Participate in or conduct research, as necessary. L. Orient new staff to the working of the department and services provided, as necessary. • Educate new staff to the various patient care areas, differences in care and responsibilities. • Ensure new staff can perform procedures and documents that the new employee has demonstrated competency in the employee’s orientation manual. • Ensure new staff understand departmental and hospital policies and procedures and documents by signing off for those who have demonstrated the knowledge. • Serve as a resource for new employees during orientation to team and shift. • Assist staff orienting new employees and Emergency Medicine Residents.
II. Resource Utilization
The Respiratory Therapist Sr considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering care. He/she demonstrates knowledge of UW Health care delivery system as multidisciplinary and multifaceted UW HEALTH JOB DESCRIPTION with a variety of entry and access points along the care continuum.
A. Contributes to and supports the effective management of the patient and the service. B. Incorporates standards of practice, clinical practice protocols, etc. into practice in order to maximize clinical effectiveness. C. Acts to facilitate cost control in use of material resources. D. Acts to facilitate cost controls in the use of human resources. E. Effectively utilizes technology to support practice and efficiencies in care delivery.
III. Collaboration
The Respiratory Therapist Sr collaborates with the patient, significant others, and other health care providers in providing patient care.
A. Initiates multidisciplinary collaboration to positively impact the outcomes of health provided. B. Collaborates with physician, registered nurse, and other partners in the provision of patient care. C. Communicates effectively with patients, families, professionals, supportive personnel, and others. D. Initiates steps to support and enhance the patient’s responsibility and self-determination in decision-making concerning health, treatment, and well-being. E. Develops, maintains, and terminates therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
IV. Ethics
The Respiratory Therapist Sr’s decisions and actions on behalf of patients and families are determined in an ethical manner.
A. Demonstrates sensitivity to the values of self and others. B. Participates in activities designed to broaden ethical decision-making skills. C. Integrates personal values with UW Health Mission and Departmental Mission, Vision, and Philosophy. D. Involves patient/family in plan of care incorporating their cultural, spiritual and other belief systems.
V. Research
The Respiratory Therapist Sr uses research findings in practice.
A. Participates in organizational improvement activities. B. Identifies recurring clinical practice issues and contributes to the development of specific plans to address identified issues. C. Demonstrates knowledge of research findings related to clinical specialty.
VI. Education
The Respiratory Therapist Sr acquires and maintains current knowledge, clinical specialty, and assumes responsibility of the professional development of self, other nursing staff, and students.
A. Evaluates own performance and that of peers and other team members in relation to standards. B. Demonstrates an awareness of elements in own performance needing further development and seeks opportunities to improve. C. Contributes to the learning experiences of students in cooperation with the instructor and other staff.
ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. JOB REQUIREMENTS Education Minimum Graduate of a COARC accredited School for Respiratory Therapy. Preferred Work Experience Minimum Three (3) years of experience as a staff therapist including work with neonatal and/ or pediatric critical care patients. Preferred Experience working in the patient transport environment. UW HEALTH JOB DESCRIPTION Licenses & Certifications Minimum • Licensed as an RCP in the State of Wisconsin • RRT Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care • Current American Heart Association BLS and PALS certification • Obtain NRP certification within six (6) months of hire • Obtain a trauma certification (TNCC, TPATC or ATLS) within six (6) months of hire • Obtain either NPS or CNPT certification within one (1) year of hire Preferred • Perinatal Pediatric Respiratory Care Practitioner • EMT or previous transport experience • Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course Completion • Member of the AARC and Transport Specialty Section Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities • Ability to provide complete critical care in the absence of a physician. • Clinical expertise in patient assessment and monitoring. • Clinical expertise in interpretation of blood gases and lab values. • Clinical expertise in mechanical ventilation and administration of nitric oxide. • Critical thinking skills – ability to quickly and correctly assess the situation and provide appropriate care based on the situation. • Communicate effectively and professionally with team members, UW Health medical staff, community facility staff and patient and their families. • Ability to acquire and maintain advanced skills such as proficiency in performing basic airway management, intubation, laryngeal mask airway placement and needle thoracostomy. Ability to be flexible with work schedules. AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCY (Clinical jobs only) Identify age-specific competencies for direct and indirect patient care providers who regularly assess, manage and treat patients. Instructions: Indicate the age groups of patients served either by direct or indirect patient care by checking the appropriate boxes below. Next, X Infants (Birth – 11 months) X Adolescent (13 – 19 years) X Toddlers (1 – 3 years) X Young Adult (20 – 40 years) X Preschool (4 – 5 years) X Middle Adult (41 – 65 years) X School Age (6 – 12 years) X Older Adult (Over 65 years) JOB FUNCTIONS Review the employee’s job description and identify each essential function that is performed differently based on the age group of the patient.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Indicate the appropriate physical requirements of this job in the course of a shift. Note: reasonable accommodations may be made available for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Physical Demand Level Occasional Frequent Constant Up to 33% of the time 34%-66% of the time 67%-100% of the time Sedentary: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds maximum and Up to 10# Negligible Negligible occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, ledgers and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one, which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met. Light: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent Up to 20# Up to 10# or requires Negligible or lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. significant walking or constant push/pull of Even though the weight lifted may only be a negligible amount, a standing, or requires items of negligible job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a pushing/pulling of weight significant degree. arm/leg controls Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum with 20-50# 10-25# Negligible-10# frequent lifting/and or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds. X Heavy: Ability to lift up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent 50-100# 25-50# 10-20# lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds. UW HEALTH JOB DESCRIPTION Very Heavy: Ability to lift over 100 pounds with frequent Over 100# Over 50# Over 20# lifting and/or carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds. Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:
Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.