Respiratory TherapistResource RTStarting compensation: $35/hrJob Summary :

Respiratory Therapist at Mary Free Bed are a key member of the multi-disciplinary team that collaborates together to provide patient-centered care.  Respiratory therapist coordinate, direct, delegate, and provide care to multiple patients.  Using a patient and family-centered care approach, each Respiratory Therapist develops relationships with patients, families, and colleagues that enhance the quality of care provided.  Respiratory Therapy is performed with compassion and courtesy, and each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to follow departmental policies and service standards.  Patient and family education is a primary focus and is a critical aspect of the interdisciplinary team’s efforts to assist patients to gain independence, apply adaptation strategies, and return to home.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Quality Pillar of Excellence

Quality of Care – The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for all respiratory care provided to patients at Mary Free Bed.  Through careful assessment of each patient, interdisciplinary collaboration, and critical thinking, each Respiratory Therapist develops and/or follows a patient-centered plan of care that aligns with the priorities and plans developed by the attending physician and other disciplines.     Scope of services will include reviewing medical history and evaluation of patient for:Bronchodilator CareVentilator CarePulmonary Hygiene Therapy Tracheostomy careTracheostomy changesBipap/Cpap therapyAppropriate Oxygen and Aerosol TherapyDischarge Education and assistance in discharge coordination for patients.Diagnostic Procedures/TestingBlood Gas Sample and AnalysisOvernight pulse ox study and downloadMetabolic TestingOxygen Desaturation Study to determine home Oxygen needsQuality Improvement – Mary Free Bed is committed to providing rehabilitation services that are of the highest possible quality.  Opportunities for improvement are valued, as staff and leaders will take advantage of lessons learned to improve future services.  Each Respiratory Therapist will participate in performance improvement through identification of ways to improve care, reporting unexpected events or medical errors, and reporting “near misses”.  As requested, the Respiratory Therapist will participate in data collection and documentation audits to assist with quality improvement measures.Patient Safety – Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to promote safety for all patients served by following all applicable department policies and procedures.  Respiratory Therapist will understand and contribute to the initiatives that are in place to improve the safety of the patients served.  Additionally, a culture of patient safety is very important at MFB and this requires all employees to be able to identify and report unexpected events and near misses without the fear of reprisal or retaliation.  Retaliation or intimidation towards another employee for reporting unexpected events or near misses will not be tolerated.  Finally, when threats to patient safety are identified, or opportunities for improvement are noted, these will be communicated with the Leadership Team.

Service Pillar of Excellence

Customer Service – Each Respiratory Therapist is required to demonstrate excellent customer service standards and behaviors, while interacting with patients, family members, physicians, and colleagues.  Each Respiratory Therapist must deal discreetly and sensitively with confidential information, and as needed, will perform customer service recovery with patients and families members. Physician and colleague relationships – Interdisciplinary team integration and collaboration across disciplines to provide patient-centered care is a priority at Mary Free Bed.  Maintaining effective working relationships with admitting and consulting physicians at Mary Free Bed is an important responsibility of each Respiratory Therapist.  In addition, each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to develop and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues from other disciplines that are involved in the care of each patient and family. 

People Pillar of Excellence

Employee Competency – Each Respiratory Therapist employed at Mary Free Bed is responsible to perform within the policies, procedures, and standards of care set by the organization.  This often requires demonstration of competency to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements and in alignment with recognized standards of care and best practice benchmarks.  Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to demonstrate competency in those areas required by the department, within the defined time frame. Professional Work Environment – A culture of professionalism, respect, and accountability is critical to fulfilling the mission of Mary Free Bed Hospital.  Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible for encouraging a culture of personal accountability, solution-seeking behavior, and mutual respect, open communication, acceptance of change, enthusiasm, and pride.  As opportunities for celebration and opportunities for improvement are identified, each Respiratory Therapist will share this information with a member of the Leadership TeamEmployee Safety – Responsible to follow all policies and procedures related to employee safety.  When risks to employee safety are identified (self or others), will take appropriate steps to reduce those risks, communicate with the Director of Respiratory and to maintain a physical work environment that reflects the high quality nursing services delivered at Mary Free Bed. Staff Selection, Development and Mentoring – Respiratory Therapist will assist with employee selection and orientation process for new team members.  Interview questions and feedback will be presented professionally and tactfully, and information discussed during the interviews will remain confidential, if needed.  As a preceptor, each Respiratory Therapist will collaborate with the Leadership Team to provide a comprehensive orientation for the new team member.   

Financial Performance Pillar of Excellence

Fiscal Responsibility – Each Respiratory Therapist will follow departmental policies and procedures related to payroll practices, patient chargeable items and other opportunities to provide high-value nursing care at a reasonable price to our customers.   As opportunities for cost savings and efficiency are identified, these will be shared with the appropriate member of the Leadership Team.  Will obtain skill set needed to participate in the growth of strategic programs within MFB.

Essential Job Qualifications (Knowledge, Education, and Training Requirements):

Registered Respiratory Therapist in the state of Michigan.   Newly graduated respiratory therapist have 90 days to successfully complete registry exam.Associates degree is required.      Current ACLS and PALS certification. May obtain within six months of assuming the position.Previous experience as a Respiratory Therapist, is preferred but not required.Strong critical thinking, decision-making, delegation, and leadership skills are required to work. Time management and organizational skills are very important, as well as effective written and verbal communication skills.Must be able to work effectively under time requirements and deadlines, problem-solve when facing unexpected issues, handle interruptions, and prioritize effectively.Physical Demands: The work environment described here are representative of those an employee will encounter while working as a Respiratory Therapist at Mary Free Bed.  The ability to perform these tasks are required in order to provide the necessary patient care required by MFB patients:Required to stand, sit, talk, type, read, and hearRequired to use hands and arms to handle, feel, carry and workRequired to frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, and rise from a kneeling position while performing patient care.Required to be independently mobile, with frequent bending, and reaching overhead, for activities such as positioning and transferring of patients and equipment.Must be able to exert 20 to 35 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects(*). Due to possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens and hazardous materials, must be able to understand and follow department policies related to employee safety.Must be competent with computer systems for the purpose of documenting patient care.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@maryfreebed.com.

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.