NEEDED: Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT)

LOCATION: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) that can also function as a Polysomnographer and are Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) Certified.
• Completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy (RT) Program 2 years of RT experience, 1 Year in critical care Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credential Issued by National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certification Respiratory Board of California Licensure Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) Credential with the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT), OR Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) Credential with the American Association of Sleep Medicine (AASM)
• Must have a current CPR certification card.

JOB DUTIES - Registered Respiratory Therapists shall be competent in the following tasks:

• Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices including oxygen and nitric oxide.
• All forms of humidification usage with the appropriate devices, including aerosols and high flow systems Administration of inhaled medications, with use of appropriate devices, to the cardiopulmonary system.
• Assist with intubation Use of all ventilators in VAGLAHS and all modes of mechanical ventilation.
• Will respond to Rapid Response Calls.
• Chest Physiotherapy (CPT), both manual and with the Vest System, and postural drainage. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
• Set up CPAP, APAP, and BIPAP systems Patient/family education Arterial puncture
• Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk
• Use of split-night diagnostic/therapeutics studies as described:
• Perform polysomnogram during the first part of the night and then CPAP titration study during the 2nd half of the night-if initial part of the study is consistent with obstructive sleep apnea Perform full night polysomnogram Sleep staging, defined as continuous recording of at least one (1) channel of EEG, two (2) channels of EOG and one (1) channel of EMG recording, following the rules of staging systematized by A. Rechstcahffen and A. Kales.
• Continuous recording of four or more additional parameters of sleep, including at least airflow, oximetry, EKG, and EMG.
• Continuous attendance as a technologist, working under the direction of the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Chief of Respiratory Therapy, who reports to Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care.
• Maintains a technical log, manually and electronically of patient information including nocturnal patient activity, position, and events.
• Performs electronic and manual scoring.
• Follows written policies, procedures and guidelines defining the response to findings disclosed during testing requiring medical evaluation and treatment, including the use of oxygen, and spilt-night protocols. BENEFITS: Competitive hourly pay rate, accrued vacation, accrued sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, 401K opportunity, and healthcare benefits contributions. 

BENEFITS: Competitive hourly pay rate, accrued vacation, accrued sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays, 401K opportunity, and healthcare benefits contributions.