• Respiratory Care Services provides a variety of specialized therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures, as ordered by physicians, to patients with pulmonary disorders.
• Charge Therapists serve as resources and acts as role models for staff to ensure comprehensive and safe patient care. Serves as a liaison and promotes teamwork within the department; assists department leadership in determining work assignments for other respiratory therapists, coordinating requests for respiratory care resources, recruiting staffing for short shifts, chart audits/charge reconciliation and performing any duties as assigned. 

Shift Coordinator

• Coordinates shift assignments, patient transports between units or procedural areas, provides/coordinate breaks and meal periods for staff.
• Determine staffing requirements and workload assignments for respiratory therapists.
• Recruits staffing for upcoming short shifts.
• Coordinates staffing incentives with leadership; delivery and pickup of supplies and equipment.
• Coordinate requests from internal/external customers for Respiratory Care Services, prioritizes response to requests, and assigns appropriate therapists to requests (transports, evals, emergency responses, etc.)

Auditor

• Reviews patient medical records to ensure Respiratory Care Services were adequately billed, makes corrections if necessary, records data on charting inaccuracies, reports findings to supervisors.
• Perform chart audits and charge reconciliations. Adjusts orders to match prescribed therapy, and discontinues unnecessary orders according to policy. 

Patient Transport 

• Assures safety of patients on ventilators by accompanying patient to/from ICU  and remaining with patient during testing procedure.
• May be part of team transporting critically ill infants, children and adults from the hospitals as primary resource to determine the most effective method of respiratory support and by setting up appropriate equipment and administering respiratory care during transport.

Charting

• Records type of therapy provided, medication, respiratory and heart rate, breath sounds and patients’ coughing ability.
• Results of ongoing assessment of patients on ventilators; records the number and type of therapies administered for each patient.

Respiratory Therapy  

• Administers ventilatory assistance by means of endotracheal tube
• Administers aerosolized medications and instructs patient on proper breathing techniques.
• Performs therapeutic functions such as chest physiotherapy and tracheobronchial aspirations.
• Administers continuous and intermittent aerosol and humidification therapy.
• Instructs patients in the use of incentive spirometry devices and alternate breathing maneuvers to assist them in deep breathing.
• Administers oxygen therapy.

Patient Monitoring/Testing

• Performs advanced life support diagnostic procedures such as measuring exhaled carbon dioxide, performing arterial blood gas analysis, and measuring mean airway pressure on patients in intensive care unit.
• Provides technical input to aid medical staff in interpreting the results of diagnostic procedures.
• Assesses side effects of patients receiving aerosolized medications.
• Discontinues therapy when distress noted and contacts health care provider for further orders.
• Regularly performs complete assessment of patients on volume or pressure ventilators.
• Monitors patients receiving oxygen therapy, consults with physician, recommends improved therapies if side effects observed.
• Patient assessment for the purpose of protocol-driven care for bronchodilation and bronchial hygiene.
• Determination of optimal mode, dose, frequency and discontinuance of therapy.
• Perform bedside pulmonary function studies; perform airway care on natural and artificial airways.

Miscellaneous

• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of patient cardiac arrest or assisting with procedures already started by maintaining adequate airway and ventilation.
• Teaches the theory and application of respiratory therapy procedures and equipment to physicians, nurses, other hospital staff, respiratory care students.
• Attends departmental staff meetings and in-services.
• Decontaminates or discards all respiratory care equipment and supplies used in treating patients in isolation.

• Minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
• 2 years of clinical respiratory care practice.
• A current, valid Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner's (LRCP) credential issued by the Health Licensing Office for the State of Oregon.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) issued by the American Heart Association within 6 months of hire.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association within 6 months of hire.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to display leadership and professionalism while in the workforce.

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without accommodation.

• Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care, Healthcare Administration, or core science (chemistry, biology, etc.).
• 1-2 years of previous Respiratory Care lead or supervisor experience.
• Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty (NPS) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Adult Critical Care  Specialty (ACCS) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Demonstrates good organizational skills.
• Provides safe and appropriate patient care within the standards of respiratory care practice.
• Displays judgment and superior problem solving skills.
• Communicates positively and professionally with all internal and external customers.

Work units include: South Waterfront, Adult ICUs, Emergency Department, pediatric & adult acute/intermediate care wards.

 

This position comes with fabulous benefits! Highlights include:

• Vacation - up to 208 hours per year pending length of service for full-time employees
• Sick Leave - 64 hours per year for full-time employees
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision care plans. Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Retirement: Choose between pension plan or employee matching voluntary savings plan
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• OHSU is a non-profit organization, so we qualify for the Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Discounts

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.


As an organization devoted to the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond, OHSU requires its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.