Respiratory Therapist NICU Specialist

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides professional Respiratory Care including initiation and maintenance of mechanical ventilation. Utilizes neonatal conventional ventilators, High Frequency Oscillators, High Frequency Jet Ventilators, and INO ventilators for administration of Nitric Oxide.
• Attends high-risk deliveries to assist physicians with intubation/NRP, surfactant administration, and transport of intubated patients. Responds to pediatric/neonatal emergencies (including CPR/NRP); establishes and maintains patient airway, providing appropriate oxygen therapy.
• Performs intubations or assists in insertion, stabilization and maintenance of all artificial airways; and administration of Respiratory Care modalities. Applies use of prong and nasopharangeal CPAP devices, and oxygen delivery devices, nasal prongs and oxyhoods appropriately.
• Attends daily bedside rounds and administers Respiratory modalities and medications including bronchodilator therapy, surfactant, oxygen, and nitric oxide. Assesses patients’ conditions, progress and reaction to the therapy. Modifies treatment care plan accordingly.
• Performs moderate complexity point of care (POC) testing for Blood Gas Analysis.
• Uses professional judgment regarding appropriateness of therapy; modifies treatment and/or informs physicians with recommendations for change. Administers appropriate tests and procedures as ordered including; oximetry, hyperoxia tests utilizing transcutaneous O2 monitoring, radial arterial blood gases.
• Completes necessary documentation of all pertinent observations related to patient care and treatment administered with patients’ responses to treatment. Reports to NICU Respiratory Therapy Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Supervisor and physicians. Maintains appropriate department records. Ensures proper and current physician orders with physician approval.
• Participates in education of students, physicians, and staff. Explain and demonstrates respiratory techniques to house officers, medical students, nurses, and other hospital personnel. Provides guidance and constructive criticism to demonstrate appropriate methods as necessary to correct deviations from established standards.
• Clinically supervises respiratory therapy students in patient areas. Assists and instructs students in performance of Respiratory Care procedures and maintenance of equipment.
• Instructs patients’ families in respiratory techniques and the use of equipment in the home necessary to continue patient care and rehabilitation.
• Attends and participates in internal and external educational meetings to maintain and enhance clinical competencies including daily patient-care reports, staff meetings, and conferences as scheduled.
• Assists in departmental research projects.
• Maintains continuing education relating to cultural competency.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree Respiratory Therapy required and Bachelor's Degree Respiratory Therapy preferred
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the N.B.R.C. within three (3) months of hire
• Currently licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Respiratory Therapist.
• 1-2 year NICU training preferred or 2-3 years’ minimum critical care training
• NPS credential preferred
• Work requires a minimum of ten weeks of orientation to acquire necessary familiarity with department policies and procedures.
• Maintain NRP/BLS certification at all times.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to be a subject matter expert in the area of Respiratory Therapy and be able to communicate effectively with patients, team members, and other healthcare disciplines.
• Ability to assess quickly and offer professional judgment to prepare appropriate care plan, and makes specific recommendations to physician for indicated therapy.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to walk distances and push medical equipment weighing less than 100 lbs. may also be required to stand immobile for long periods of time.