**Overview** St. Luke’s Health-Memorial paves the way for quality innovative health care in East Texas and provides more than a quarter of a million patient services each year. With hospitals in Lufkin Livingston and San Augustine St. Luke’s Health-Memorial provides millions of dollars in charity care and community support each year. **Responsibilities** **JOB SUMMARY / PURPOSE** This position contributes to the mission and vision of CHI Health by providing direct respiratory care in all patient care areas including general floors, critical care, and emergency room. Assess need, evaluate effectiveness of therapy and recommends changes in specific modes of therapy to the physician. **ESSENTIAL KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES** 1. Provides direct patient care considering the patient’s needs, which promotes a positive quality work environment in the provision of quality patient care. 2. In accordance with established policies, administers and monitors critical care procedures such as mechanical ventilation, physiological monitoring, and diagnostic procedures. 3. Performs assessment of the patient, determining needs related to therapy modality, frequency, and duration of the treatment regime ordered by the MD based on patient’s age, cognitive and physician abilities, and/or developmental needs. Is responsible for the communication to the physician of pertinent patient evaluation data. Makes recommendations for changes in specific modes of therapy. 4. Performs other duties as may be assigned by management. 5. Authorized to make entries in the medical record, consistent with and limited to the scope of the job duties and any applicable licensure. Observes the response of the patients to therapy, evaluated and records in the patient’s medical record. Immediately reports adverse reactions. 6. Provides instruction to patients, family, staff, and students about theory, therapy, and equipment used in Respiratory Therapy procedures and techniques, and documents such as required. Provides instruction and referral for Home Care patients and their families/care givers using language and materials appropriate for age, cognitive, and physical abilities, and/or developmental needs. 7. Assumes charge person responsibilities in the supervisor’s absence. Assigns work load, based on staff’s level of competency. 8. Participates in quality assurance. Provides educational support for staff and clients. Coordinates continuing education programs for staff. Effectively communicates to supervisor/patients/other staff pertinent patient information. Serves as a resource person for their staff members. 9. Demonstrates competence and provide for the cleaning, sterilization, assembly and maintenance of equipment and stocking of supplies in the department and the floors, as necessary and appropriate. 10. Provides complete hand-off report to on-coming personnel and takes a complete report from off-going personnel. Communicates a professional attitude with patient’s visitors and other hospital personnel while assuring confidentiality of patient and other hospital information. Must have ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse and multi-cultural environment. 11. Performs other duties as may be assigned by management. **Qualifications** **Required Education for Staff Job Levels** Graduate of an AMA approved 2-4 year, college based program of Respiratory Therapy. Licensed by the State of Nebraska with a Respiratory Care Practitioner License or Iowa Department of Health with a Respiratory Care Practitioner’s license. *******Required Licensure and Certifications******* Registration (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Licensed by the State Nebraska with a Respiratory Care Practitioner license or Iowa Department of Health with a Respiratory Care Practitioner’s license. BLS or BLS instructor certification is required upon hire. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include the following: American Red Cross: CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, American Safety and Health Institute: CPR, PRO, must say “Professional Level- with AED”, and American Heart Association: Basic Life Support for Health care Providers. ACLS or ACLS instructor certification is required within 3 months of hire date. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include the following: American Heart Association: Advanced Cardiac Life Support, American Safety and Health Institute: ACLS, American College of Surgeons: ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) and American college of Emergency Physician: ACLS. PALS (Pediatric Cardiac Life Support) or PALS instructor certification required within 6 months (dependent of patient population served). Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include the following: American Heart Association-Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Safety and Health Institute-PALS, Emergency Nurses Association-Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC), American Academy of Pediatrics-Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP), and American Academy of Pediatrics/American College of Emergency Physicians, APLS. NRP (Neonatal Resuscitations Program) completed within 6 months of hire (dependent of patient population served) *******Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills and** **Abilities******** Must possess strong knowledge and skill in Respiratory Therapy procedures and diagnostic testing; strong knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and professional standards; good communication skills; must demonstrate personal traits of a high- level commitment, motivation and energy, team orientation, professionalism, trust, personal honesty and integrity, and place a high value on treating others with dignity and respect. **Pay Range** $21.80 - $31.62 /hour We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.