General Summary of Position
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) provides a full range of cardiopulmonary diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory care services to patients of all age groups. The RRT has successfully achieved and maintain the required competencies and qualifications of this job description and serves as the primary resource to meet the respiratory care needs for the critical care, emergency, and pediatric patient. The RRT obtains, reviews, and interprets data and assesses the need for and response to respiratory care interventions in consultation and conjunction with medical, nursing and other disciplines to optimize patient care planning and delivery. Responds to cardiopulmonary emergencies, provides airway maintenance, manual, and mechanical ventilator support using a variety of devices and techniques and administers medical gases, humidity therapy, inhaled aerosol medications, bronchial hygiene, lung expansion therapies and instructs patient's family and continuing care providers in the administration of respiratory procedures and the proper use of respiratory therapy equipment and supplies. These functions are performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's philosophy, policies, procedures, and standards.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs procedures and treatments according to physician orders and Department Policies and Procedures.
• Monitor, evaluate and document the effectiveness of applied respiratory care techniques and equipment as indicated by the patient's condition and department polices, procedures and protocols. Communicates relevant findings to medical staff, department and nursing staff as appropriate.
• Performs basic and advanced cardiopulmonary diagnostic procedures and calculations, collects and interprets data to facilitate objective patient assessment and effective care planning. Assists other health care professionals in the interpretation and clinical application of results.
• Provides complete Hand-Off Communication in adherence to The Joint Commission and MedStar Health (SBAR) standards.
• Completes clinical documentation in the EMR and/or appropriate flow sheets by the end of shift.
• Acts as Charge Therapist in absence of Supervisor when assigned; distributes assignments, responds to changes in departmental needs, and represents department.
• Assures patient safety and participates in Performance Improvement activities as assigned.
• Performs advanced life support diagnostic procedures in the Critical Care Units such as measuring exhaled carbon dioxide, bronchoscopy assistance and other cardiopulmonary diagnostics. Assist medical staff in the interpretation and clinical application of results
• Contribute to patient, family and care giver education needs
• Reads Hospital E-Mail each shift scheduled.
• Provide direct verbal and/or written communication to Supervisor and leadership any questions regarding department and hospital policies & procedures, equipment utilization, changes in work assignment and personnel issues
• Responsible for maintaining reliable work habits, attendance, and completed assignments. Prioritizes patient's care based on: emergent needs, patient safety, resources available to meet identified needs, routine care.
• Completes all Medstar Mandatory Competencies per MedStar Health policy.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and is not to be considered as all inclusive.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

• Associate's degree from a Co ARC approved institution of Respiratory Therapy, required and
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Experience

• 1-2 years Academic curriculum requiring clinical experience in acute and critical care medicine. required
• Prior experience and demonstrated abilities in adult, pediatric and neonatal critical care, pediatric and emergency care, and the implementation and application of patient-driven protocols preferred
• Prior experience in quality improvement, evaluation, counseling and coaching preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). required and
• RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner Current and valid Washington DC license Respiratory Practitioner License. required and
• BLS - Basic Life Support BLS for the Healthcare Provider Certification. required and
• Health Services\NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Certifications: N.R.P., P.A.L.S., A.C.L.S. preferred
• Health Services\PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Health Services\ACLS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to develop and maintain constructive interpersonal relationships and promote team collaboration and cooperation during conflict and difficult situations.
• Has good time management skills.
• Has knowledge of best practice for clinical performance, infection prevention and patient safety.
• Ability to manage changing workloads, staff & equipment shortages and patient care issues.
• Basic computer skills: data entry, e-mail, E.M.R.
• Contributes to in-service, education and training.

Why MedStar Health?
At MedStar Health, we understand that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and positive environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and empowered. We live up to this promise through:

• Strong emphasis on teamwork—our associates feel connected to each other and our mission as an organization. In return, our effective team environment generates positive patient outcomes and high associate satisfaction ratings that exceed the national benchmark.
• Strategic focus on equity, inclusion, & diversity—we are committed to equity for all people and communities. We continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where people feel a sense of belonging and the ability to contribute to equitable care delivery and improved community health outcomes at all levels of the organization.
• Comprehensive total rewards package—including competitive pay, generous paid time off, great health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, education assistance, and so much more.
• More career opportunities closer to home—as the largest healthcare provider in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, there are countless opportunities to grow your career and fulfill your aspirations.

About MedStar Health
MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It’s how we treat people.

MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations. MedStar Health makes all decisions regarding employment, including for example, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefit eligibility, discipline, and discharge without regard to any protected status, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local EO laws. If you receive an offer of employment, it is MedStar Health's policy to hire its employees on an at-will basis, which means you or MedStar Health may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason.