Respiratory Care Assistant - PRN

The Respiratory Care Assistant (RCA) performs diagnostic electrocardiograms (EKG), conducts inventory, tests and sets-up, disinfects, processes, stores, and stocks equipment and supplies for use in critical and acute patient care areas, utilizing established infection control practices and per manufacturer guidelines. The Respiratory Care Assistant works in collaboration with the Operations Program Manager with inventory and supply reports. The Respiratory Care Assistant removes, disinfects, and replaces soiled critical and acute care equipment and supplies to be disinfected and/or repaired. The Respiratory Care Assistant also maintains the stock, appearance, and cleanliness of all assigned equipment per manufacturer's instructions and in alignment with established infection control procedures.

As a Respiratory Care Assistant (RCA), working effectively and appropriately communicating with healthcare team members is required. Your ability to follow department /hospital quality control standards while communicating issues/concerns to supervisory staff appropriately is essential.

Minimum Education
High School Diploma or GED (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
1 year experience acquired via working in a hospital setting (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Level of knowledge equivalent to that ordinarily acquired through the completion of 4 years of High School
• Ability to organize, establish priorities and to communicate effectively , both orally and in writing.
• Must have basic computer skills and the ability to log in to a Windows based PC.
• Must have physical ability to move, lift and carry equipment/gas cylinders, in addition, stamina to endure frequently long periods of standing and walking.
• Able to lift and move equipment and supplies> 50 lbs, reaching and stooping as required.
• Interpersonal skills are a necessary in order to interact courteously with department staff members and other hospital personnel, patients, and visitors.
• Must possess the ability to disassemble, wash and reassemble moderately complex equipment.
• Demonstrate the ability to correctly order supplies and provide equipment so that patient care is not interrupted, or affected.
  
  Functional Accountabilities
  Processes Equipment

• Gather contaminated equipment/supplies from various locations and return them to the department, in timely manner.

• Ensure all respiratory equipment, including but not limited to Ventilators, BiPaps/CPaps, Highflow devices, and EKG machines are dissembled, cleaned, and reassembled appropriately for safe use by patients and staff under department and infection control policies and procedures.

• Follow all infection control procedures to ensure all equipment is cleaned, reassembled appropriately for safe use by patients and staff, including incubators, radiant warmers and other equipment as assigned.

• Consistently and accurately performs operation performance verification testing on respiratory therapy equipment according to department and manufacturers standards.

• Takes ownership for the set-up and transportation of portable medical gas tanks according to department standards.

• Demonstrates proper safety precautions while working with cleaning agents according to department/CNH policies and procedures.

• Stock all assigned areas with appropriate equipment/supplies (may include managing par level and exchanging empty gas cylinders for full as needed.

• Notify appropriate personnel when supplies or equipment are needed; order equipment from warehouse, send to/retrieve fixed equipment from Biomed for disinfection, etc., as needed in conjunction with Operation Program Manager and Department Manager.

• Store items in an organized manner such that they can be reassessed by unit and departmental clinical staff when needed for patient use.

• Completes all department, hospital, and system competencies required of the job category within designated timeframes.

• Accurately inventories equipment/supplies and demonstrates knowledge of the locations of all stock/supply items and maintains adequate par levels.

• Document the need for equipment, supplies, and submit information to appropriate personnel in order to maintain levels as needed in the department and other RCS equipment areas.

• Under the direction of the manager, may communicate with suppliers' representatives, when necessary.

• Perform diagnostic electrocardiograms.

• Maintain, manage, and conduct various tests that measure, monitor, and graphically traces, electrocardiogram (EKG) under direct supervision of a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

• Document EKG tasks as assigned.

• Consistently and accurately maintain logs for eye station.

• Actively seeks ways to assist members of the healthcare team.

• Participate in 80% of department staff meetings and in-services.

• Consistently communicates with healthcare team members and does so in a manner consistent with Children's National Hospital standards.