Organization Overview, Mission, Vision and Values

Our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical System is a community-owned, locally governed, non-profit health care system located in Northwest Arkansas in the heart of Fayetteville, which is consistently ranked among the Best Places to live in the country. Our 425-bed medical center has been named the #1 hospital in Arkansas for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. We employ 3,400+ team members and serve the region with over 40 clinic locations, the region’s only Level II trauma center, and five Centers of Excellence - the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute; Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute; Washington Regional Women and Infants Center; Washington Regional Total Joint Center; and Washington Regional Pat Walker Center for Seniors.

Washington Regional is looking for an experienced NICU Respiratory Therapist who will provide specialized respiratory care and life support for our premature and critically ill newborn population. This position will primarily serve in the NICU with occasional rotation through adult acute care and emergency care areas as necessary.

Position Summary

The role of the Respiratory Therapist reports to the Respiratory Care Manager. This position is responsible for assessing patients with breathing problems, developing treatment plans in collaboration with physicians, and administering therapies such as oxygen, mechanical ventilators, and medications to improve lung function and well-being. This position performs duties including conducting diagnostic tests, monitoring patient progress, performing emergency care, and educating patients and families on managing respiratory conditions in diverse healthcare settings.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients with cardiopulmonary disorders, from infants to the elderly, and perform diagnostic tests like pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas analysis to understand their respiratory status.
• Implement appropriate plan of care by consulting with physicians to create tailored treatment plans for patients with conditions such as asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis.
• Administer oxygen, therapeutic gases, and medications, and manage complex equipment like mechanical ventilators and chest physiotherapy devices.
• Ensure timely completion of all required documentation.
• Monitor patients' physiological responses to therapy, including vital signs and blood gas levels, and adjust treatment plans as needed.
• Effectively communicate the patient’s status with all necessary members of the patients care team to coordinate appropriate care.
• Provide emergency respiratory support, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), in critical situations.
• Educate patients and their families on how to use respiratory equipment and manage chronic respiratory conditions.

Qualifications

• Education: Must be a graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy program
• Licensure and Certifications: Arkansas Respiratory Therapy License and CPR, required. ACLS, PALS, and NRP required within 6 months of date of hire or transfer; STABLE preferred. NPS preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of NICU experience, required.

Work Environment: This position will 70% of time standing and/or walking while pushing, pulling, lifting and/or carrying up to 50 lbs. This position will spend 30% of time sitting while performing work in a standard office environment. Frequent local travel is required.

Notice: This job description is designed to provide an overview of the essential and principal duties and responsibilities of the position. The job description is not designed or intended to cover or set forth a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Washington Regional reserves the right in its absolute discretion to change duties, responsibilities or activities or assign new duties, responsibilities, or activities at any time with or without notice. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.