Description:
Rutherford Regional Health System is a 143-bed acute care facility that offers a broad array of inpatient and outpatient care. Rutherford Regional is dedicated to providing patients with a full range of services to meet their healthcare needs. We provide our services in a caring, professional environment through the teamwork of our medical staff and employees.
Rutherford Regional Health System's partnership with Duke LifePoint Healthcare is bringing the pieces together to transform healthcare in Rutherford County. Duke LifePoint Healthcare is a joint venture of Duke University Health System, one of the country's leading academic health systems, and LifePoint Health, a leading healthcare company dedicated to Making Communities Healthier. These two forces joined because of the shared interest in collaborating with hospitals, healthcare providers and patients to bring high quality, innovative healthcare services to communities. Duke LifePoint combines Duke's unparalleled expertise in clinical excellence and quality care with LifePoint's extensive resources and knowledge and experience operating community hospitals and healthcare organizations.
Under the direct supervision of a licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, as required by the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board (NCRCB), the Respiratory Care Assistant will assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders, performing duties as listed in the Declaratory Ruling issued by the NCRCB on July 8, 2021 (also listed below). They must also be able to calibrate, clean and maintain diagnostic equipment and recognize when equipment malfunctions.
Employment Requirements:
The employing facility will have the Respiratory Care Assistant complete competency evaluations on the procedures they are eligible to perform (as listed above), prior to independent performance.
The job classification denoted by the employing facility will be Respiratory Care Assistant and the RCA will wear a name tag with this designation at all times, including name and title "Respiratory Care Assistant".
The Respiratory Care Assistant must maintain, at a minimum, certification in Basic Life Support which includes Adult, Child, and Infant CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use.
The Respiratory Care Assistant will not replace any licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner on any shift, nor will the RCA be given an individual assignment, but instead will work with the RCP(s) on their assignments.
The Respiratory Care Assistant must maintain BCLS credentials while employed.
The Respiratory Care Assistant, upon employment, must register with the NCRCB where the approval will be visible on the online verification system, and must be supplied to the employing facility.
The Respiratory Care Assistant may not remain in the RCA status more than a total of 12 months or until they are licensed by the NCRCB, whichever comes first.
Qualifications:
Educational Requirements:
Enrolled in a recognized Respiratory Care Program that has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care or its predecessor.
The Educational Institution must verify that the Respiratory Care student is in good standing, with a minimum grade of at least 2.0 in all Respiratory courses and an overall average of 2.0 must be maintained.
If the academic status of the Respiratory Care student changes (e.g. failure, removal, or withdrawal from the program), the Educational Institution must notify the employing facility and the NCRCB as soon as possible, and no later than five (5) business days after the student's change in status.
The Educational Institution must verify to the employing facility that the Respiratory Care student has successfully completed a competency evaluation that certifies the student to be competent in all of the following Respiratory Care procedures:
- Oxygen Supply Systems
- Equipment Processing
- Manual Resuscitation
- Oxygen Administration
- Humidity and Aerosol Therapy
- Small Volume Nebulizer Therapy
- MDI Administration
- Incentive Spirometry
- Non-invasive Mechanical Airway Clearance Therapy
- Chest Physiotherapy with suctioning
- Arterial Puncture
- Electrocardiogram (if performed by the hiring facility)
- Patient Reporting
Why join our team?
We are dedicated to providing patients with a full range of services to meet their healthcare needs, and we believe our employees are our most valuable assets in accomplishing this goal. Rutherford Regional is growing its team of dedicated health care professionals. If you are looking to start a career that cares, are passionate about changing lives, and ready to work in a supportive environment in a close-knit community, apply today!
