Job Information
Catholic Health Initiatives Pulmonary Specialist I in Lexington, Kentucky
Overview
Saint Joseph Hospital is a 433-bed facility located in Lexington Kentucky. Founded in 1877 a small group of Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky led by Sister Euphrasia Stafford began their health ministry. Their mission was to provide compassionate care to the poor and underserved – a tradition still carried out today. Saint Joseph Hospital primarily serves central and eastern Kentucky with a full range of services including distinguished awards for cardiology orthopedics and stroke care. CHI Saint Joseph Health supports 5000 active employees 8 hospitals specialty clinics and a Medical Group with more than 200 locations across Central and Eastern KY. CommonSpirit Health was formed by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health in 2019. With our combined resources CommonSpirit is committed to building healthy communities advocating for those who are poor and vulnerable and innovating how and where healing can happen both inside our hospitals and out in the community.
Responsibilities
Job Summary / Purpose
The Pulmonary Function Technologist I is a competent Certified Respiratory Therapist whose primary role is in Pulmonary Function. Performs basic pulmonary function studies, and administers therapy per physician orders. Provides instruction to both the patient and family/caregiver related to procedures and disease processes. As a member of the direct patient care team, provides direct assistance to physicians and other care health professionals with pulmonary function related procedures as assigned within the scope of the professional certification. The Therapist will possess working knowledge of respiratory care and has displayed age-specific competence for all age groups serviced by the facility. Delivers exceptional patient care and adheres to standards and guidelines established by respiratory agencies and Saint Joseph Hospital to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service.
Essential Key Job Responsibilities
Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. When called upon to do so, serves as a preceptor to newly hired employees and/or respiratory therapy students.
Performs basic Pulmonary Function Diagnostic Testing to include but not limited to: arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, Body Plethmosmography, flow volume loops, lung volume determination, airway resistance measurement, breath diffusion capacity, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and bronchodilator administration.
Assists in performing various protocols for cardiopulmonary exercise testing and monitoring.
Assists in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and manual ventilation during resuscitation attempts and aides in rapid response calls when appropriate.
Provides care for the physical needs of patients including by executing various respiratory care concepts to maximize performance. This includes: positioning, physiology, procedure preparation, and technical factors. Modifies technical factors to achieve desired results and recognizes complications / limitations associated with certain procedures. Proactively identifies how to address these for optimum outcomes.
Follows safety standards, policies and procedures established for respiratory care, the department and hospital. Adheres to all departmental based safety initiatives and standards of practice. Reports near misses and inputs errors promptly into IRIS to improve processes and identify trends.
Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations, and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety.
Troubleshoots, calibrates and performs preventive maintenance and quality control on all equipment and analyzers per department guidelines, documenting activities. Assembles, prepares, cleans and operates diagnostic equipment, monitoring equipment and accessories in accordance with manufacturing recommendations and department guidelines. Reports malfunctions.
Provides direct assistance to physicians, performing tests as ordered, assessing and assuring quality, acceptability and reliability of results; takes corrective action and involves others as needed toward achievement of this end.
Accurately documents all patient care and respiratory related activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation system. Enters charges at the time service is delivered.
Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.
Participates in departmental projects and shared governance activities.
Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Respiratory Care Practitioner/Pulmonary Function Technologist.
Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives.
The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
Associate’s Degree in Cardiopulmonary Services or Respiratory Care from an accredited respiratory therapy educational program.
One year experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner
Required Licensure and Certifications
Certified Respiratory Therapist
Active license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner
BLS
ACLS
Pay Range
$25.18 - $36.52 /hour
We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.