At Houston Methodist, the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) position is responsible for performing routine respiratory care procedures as assigned, varying in complexity which include, but are not limited to, preparation, administration and monitoring of medication and treatment modalities and gas therapy, ventilator support, spirometry and assistance with bronchoscopy. This position may perform diagnostic testing of the cardiac respiratory system, as appropriate. As a member of the direct patient care team, the RCP position provides direct assistance to physicians and other care health professionals, with respiratory care-related procedures within the scope of the professional licensure. This position delivers exceptional patient care and adheres to standards and guidelines established by respiratory and regulatory agencies and Houston Methodist to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service.

　　PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　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 inter-professional team by using progressive skills in therapeutic communication and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner, which includes active listening and teaching

　　Communicates effectively with others to facilitate providing the highest quality service during every customer and patient encounter

　　Practices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles. Serves as a patient advocate in preventing/resolving ethical issues. Facilitates interventions to relieve the patient's/family spiritual distress

　　Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability

　　SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Performs respiratory care to include but not limited to: arterial blood gas and analysis, pulse oximetry, spirometry and flow volume loops, lung volume determination, airway resistance measurement, breath diffusion capacity, bronchoprovocation testing, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, bronchodilator administration, diagnostic radiology procedures. Prepares, administers and monitors treatment modalities and medication delivery. Implements, monitors and evaluates ventilator support

　　Performs other procedures and tests as needed and if assigned, such as Electrocardiograms, Holter's, and Arterial Blood Gas

　　Provides care for the physical needs of patients by executing various respiratory care concepts to maximize performance, which 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

　　Uses peer-to-peer accountability to contribute towards improving department score for patient satisfaction

　　QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Troubleshoots, calibrates and performs preventive maintenance and quality control on all equipment and analyzers per department guidelines, documenting activities. Assembles, prepares, cleans and operates bronchoscopy 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

　　Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and to meet department and hospital targets for quality and safety, focusing on the task at hand and reporting near misses, and inputing errors promptly into Patient Safety Net to improve processes and identify trends

　　FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　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, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks

　　GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

　　Participates in practice projects focused on innovation, efficiency or improvement in patient care and activities. Embraces and enacts new care pathways or service line implementation to improve service to the community

　　Identifies own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis

　　This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

　　EDUCATION

　　Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations sectionWORK EXPERIENCE

　　one year experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner preferred.LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

　　RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) and

　　RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner - State Licensure and

　　BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) and

　　ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA) -- Current incumbents have one year to obtain from effective date of job description within 90 days

　　LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

　　PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (AHA) -- depending on area assigned and

　　NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation -- depending on area assigned

　　KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

　　Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

　　Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

　　Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

　　Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to maintain patient and exam documents

　　Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

　　Demonstrates time management skills

　　Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solving

　　SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

　　WORK ATTIRE

　　Uniform No

　　Scrubs Yes

　　Business professional No

　　Other (department approved) Yes

　　ON-CALL*

　　*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

　　On Call* YesTRAVEL**

　　Travel specifications may vary by department

　　May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

　　May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

　　Company Profile:

　　Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital is the first specialty hospital in the Houston Methodist system. Located in the heart of the Katy community, the facility has 82 operating beds with the warmth of a small campus and the amenities of a large hospital. In late 2021, a second location of Continuing Care Hospital opened in the Texas Medical Center with an additional 20 operating beds and plans to grow this location. The Continuing Care Hospital provides specialized inpatient care for those patients requiring a longer hospital stay. As a Long Term Acute Care facility, Continuing Care Hospital specializes in ventilator weaning, post-transplant care and many other highly-skilled clinical techniques.

　　Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

　　Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

　　Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.