Registered Respiratory Therapist
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Hartford, CT
flexible
Sign-On Bonus

RRT-ECMO Specialist, Team Lead - Hartford - Full Time

Registered Respiratory Therapist functioning at the Advanced level of Respiratory Care practice in Pediatric- Neonatal Respiratory Care, supporting and implementing educational activities and operations of the Respiratory Care Department and RRT-ECMO team. Collaborates with respiratory therapists, physicians, perfusionist, advanced practice providers, nurses, trainees and families, as well as other members of the health care team. Is the respiratory department expert on the ECMO process and procedure and works collaboratively with the Perfusionist ECMO Coordinator. Designs, implements and evaluate procedures, protocols and educational programs intended to improve the clinical practice of the Respiratory Therapist, RRT-ECMO Specialists and other clinical staff who provide direct care to patients with respiratory diseases or compromised respiratory function. Coordinates educational experiences of Respiratory Therapists and Respiratory Therapy Students. Evaluates new treatment modalities; and participates in research and quality improvement activities related to respiratory care and ECMO. Reports to Respiratory Care Manager and Medical Director of ECMO program. Manages the ECMO system and the clinical needs of the patient on ECMO under the direction and supervision of an ECMO trained physician. Provides care to patients with primary responsibility for maintaining appropriate extracorporeal support, troubleshooting equipment, assessing the circuit and managing circuit emergencies until additional assistance is available. RESPIRATORY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGN - Conducts periodic needs assessments related to respiratory care for the Respiratory Therapy staff, and RRT-ECMO Specialist to establish priorities for educational programs. Implements and evaluates orientation programs for Respiratory Therapist and RRT-ECMO Specialists. Collaborates with Manager or designee as needed to establish new employee orientation schedules and preceptors. Assist in the orientation and precepting of new RRT-ECMO Specialist and Respiratory Therapists Provides clinical orientation to evaluate new employee performance and readiness to progress in the orientation process. Provides validation completion/performance data to Manager. Collaborates with and provides guidance to the unit-based educators to assist in the development and maintenance of new employee orientation and staff competencies. Coordinate and schedule in-services and respiratory educational activities for therapist and RRT-ECMO specialists Develops appropriate learning tools and modules. Establishes an educational calendar to meet educational needs of department and ECMO team. Coordinates clinical experiences for Respiratory Therapy students. Assists in the design of curriculum and learning experiences. Assists Perfusion ECMO Coordinator with training and maintenance of competency for RRT- ECMO Specialist IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION - Conducts educational programs using a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, lecture, journal clubs, and topical in services. Uses evaluation tools to measure program effectiveness and learner accomplishment. Provides learners with performance feedback and collaborates with Manager or designee to address re-training needs. Contributes to staff evaluations as appropriate, including information on behaviors, clinical competence and completion of ongoing education. CLINICAL PRACTICE - Is able to function in all aspects of bedside respiratory care and other duties as appropriate per CCMC Respiratory Therapist and RRT-ECMO Specialist job descriptions. Is expected to be an expert on care of respiratory and ECMO procedures and is able to implement knowledge into educational in services and checkoffs for staff and students. Serves as a clinical resource to staff in managing patients with complex treatments or therapies. Collaborates with clinical staff to develop and maintain practice guidelines, procedures, and protocols. May require some weekends and nights in coordination of educational needs. Adjusts schedule in order to support ECMO cases. Oversees call schedule for RRT-ECMO Specialists and assumes responsibilities with other ECMO team specialists to coordinate in-house and on-call schedules. Successfully completes any mandatory ECMO training, exams and competency within the required time frame. Actively participates in a team model of care to positively impact outcomes. Required to attend ECMO team meetings, case debriefings, simulations and other formal ECMO Team activities. Attendance at 50-75% of these relevant activities is expected. Expected to attend water drills and simulations held 6x/year. Travel may be required for initial ECMO training and re-training within identified time frames. Participates in after event debriefings and coordinates with Medical Director to develop action plans. Attends monthly steering committee meetings RESEARCH- Collaborates with Physicians and clinical staff to develop research protocols, and/or participate in protocols from external agencies, investigating new therapeutic techniques and modalities in ECMO and respiratory treatment and care. Position Specific Role Responsibilities Stays up to date on current trends in respiratory care and ECMO. Works with Medical Staff to ensure best evidence-based respiratory care practices are used at Connecticut Children's Medical Center Assists Perfusion ECMO Coordinator with training and maintenance of competency for RRT- ECMO Specialist Assist in the orientation and precepting of new RRT-ECMO Specialist Oversees call schedule for RRT ECMO Participates in after event debriefings and coordinates with Medical Director and/ or Perfusionist ECMO Coordinator to develop action plans. Attends monthly steering committee meetings Demonstrates commitment to continuous quality improvement Identifies clinical issues and promotes quality improvement directed toward improving patient care. Leads change processes by coordinating unit-based quality improvement activities in conjunction with the unit based quality teams for the department Implements improvements, ensuring appropriate education of affected staff and ensures system for ongoing monitoring and evaluation. Performs other duties and works on special projects as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Demonstrates support for the mission, values and goals of the organization through behaviors that are Consistent with the CCMC standards. Contributes to staff evaluations as appropriate, including information on behaviors, clinical competence and completion of ongoing education. Education/Experience: * Education Required: Graduate of an accredited school of Respiratory Care, required Bachelor of Science Degree required * Education Preferred: Masters preferred * Experience Required: Minimum five years' experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, including Pediatric-Neonatal ICU experience, required. * Maintains active membership in the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC), and the Neonatal /Pediatric Specialty section. 3-5 years ECMO experience required * Successful completion of ECMO Specialist training and certification. * 1 year of leadership experience, required * Prior experience in clinical teaching preferred. * Successful candidates will have strong communication skills and the ability to work independently. * Experience with home care ventilators and home respiratory care products a plus. License/Certifications: * Current credential by National Board Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, required * Credentialed by the NBRC as a Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS) within 1 year of hire, required * Current Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR in adult, child & infant is required * Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) required within 6 months of hire * Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) required within 6 months * Meets all requirements of Respiratory Therapist and RRT-ECMO Specialist job descriptions.