Working under limited supervision with approved protocols or under the order of a licensed independent provider (LIP), the Respiratory Care Practitioner III is a senior clinician in the department. The RCP III advances evidence-based practice, supports department and service area initiatives, and mentors junior practitioners. The RCP III (Registered)executes assignments demonstrating clinical expertise in Respiratory Care in the selection of accurate technical factors on an individual patient basis necessary to evaluate and provide age appropriate treatment across all patient types in all locations to include cardiopulmonary dysfunction secondary to developmental defects, the aging process, physical injury or disease requiring the administration of inhaled medications, utilization of specialized ventilation equipment and performing all of the respiratory care techniques. Adheres to and enforces all department and facility policies and procedures.

Key Responsibility 1: Manages an assigned case load and responds to emergent patient needs. Functions as part of a larger team to support all patients under the department's care.

Key Responsibility 2: Performs a full range of respiratory care treatments to specific patient populations, i.e., adult, pediatric, or neonatal. Verifies all interventions are supported by protocol or LIP order. Observes and monitors physical signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care procedures. Collaborates with LIP during patient rounds the therapeutic treatment plans to determine whether initiation, modification, or discontinuation of the treatment regimen is warranted. Adheres to Joint Commission, State, Federal, organizational and departmental regulatory compliance standards.

Key Responsibility 3: Administers therapeutic and diagnostic gases (exclusive of anesthetic agents), aerosolized medication treatments and chest physiotherapy. Administers invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation and adjusts ventilation equipment to optimize patient support. Ensures correct ventilator alarms and settings. Collaborates with the healthcare team when adjusting ventilation parameters and settings, as necessary in accordance with patient's response. Evaluates the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions by reviewing chest x-rays, utilizing noninvasive monitor values and laboratory results. Monitors patient appearance and vital signs and consults with the LIP or a senior practitioner as necessary.

Key Responsibility 4: Documents accurate patient care activity in various electronic health records systems.

Key Responsibility 5: Actively contributes to departmental and organizational performance improvement initiatives and efforts to improve workflows, patient experience and quality. Actively participates in student and employee training and education activities.