Respritory Care Practitioner I NICU

As our NICU Respiratory Care Practitioner, you will be a vital member of our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit team, providing specialized respiratory therapy to our most vulnerable and smallest patients. You will be instrumental in supporting the critical lung function and overall well-being of newborns in a highly acute environment.

Every day you will manage and monitor mechanical ventilation, administer respiratory medications, perform airway care, and implement other advanced respiratory interventions for neonates. You will be expected to conduct comprehensive respiratory assessments, interpret blood gases, collaborate closely with neonatologists and the interdisciplinary team, and adapt treatment plans with precision and compassion, often in rapidly changing clinical situations.

To be successful in this role, you must possess advanced clinical skills in neonatal respiratory care, an in-depth understanding of neonatal physiology, exceptional attention to detail, the ability to work effectively under pressure, and a deep commitment to providing life-saving care to critically ill infants.

• Data Collection/Communication: 1.Performs respiratory assessment based on gestational age, maternal factors and documented on the Newborn Stabilization/Resuscitation Record. 2.Remains current with on going data collection by documenting treatments, ABGs, changes in Respiratory status and observations. 3. Provides a complete patient report when handing over care to on coming staff.
• Respiratory Evaluation: 4. Evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care by: a.Demonstrates ability to carry out medical orders and collaborates with the RN to consider er appropriateness of orders in relationship to current therapy and infant condition. b. Observes and documents infants response to therapeutic interventions. c. Collaborates with RN to interpret clinical assessment and provide appropriate intervention. Notifies physician of significant airway/respiratory changes in infant. d. Reviews chest films at least once per shift and identifies significant changes and infant condition.
• Technical Skills: 5. Demonstrates competency in selected psychomotor skills and performs technical procedures as evidenced by: a. Remaining competent in neonatal intubation, use of conventional and oscillator vents, obtaining specimens, and newborn resuscitation. b. Ability to assist physicians both in NICU and NICU surgical area. c. Ability to trouble shoot equipment, remain current with new and established supplies/equipment. d. Successfully perform selected phlebotomy procedures.
• Emergency Response: 6. Demonstrates ability to perform effectively in emergency situations in NICU/SCN or Family Birth Center. a. Collaboratively performs NRP duties with RN. b. Responds to Code Blue situations within NICU or Family Birth Center. c. Anticipate and assist with peer/unit needs during emergency/code situations without requiring direction.
• Responds to Emergency Department requests for attendance at imminent deliveries, with resuscitation bed, scale, and emergency drugs.
• Completes inventory of emergency and resuscitation equipment at the beginning of each shift in delivery area, including operating suites, and replaces any missing supplies, equipment, etc.

Required

• Respiratory Care Practitioner: CA.
• Basic Life Support from the American Heart Association.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Preferred

• One (1) year of clinical experience.

Founded in 1967, Dignity Health - Mercy San Juan Medical Center is a 377-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Carmichael, California. Serving over 100,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II Trauma Center, Level III NICU, heart care, cancer care, women’s health, and neurology. Additionally, Mercy San Juan Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest level of stroke care certification awarded by The Joint Commission.

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