Respiratory Care Practitioner

Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital is a long-term acute care facility located in Katy, Texas, serving the Greater Houston area. This hospital is a proud member of the Houston Methodist health system, which is widely recognized for delivering exceptional healthcare services with an unwavering commitment to quality and patient safety. The facility specializes in caring for patients requiring extended hospitalization, offering a range of inpatient and outpatient services including hemodialysis, infectious disease management, intensive care, pain management, pulmonary care, trauma, neurological injury management, and post-surgical rehabilitation therapies. Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital is known for focusing on the needs of both patients and their families, ensuring a compassionate, holistic approach to health and recovery. The hospital prides itself on a team-oriented culture, where collaboration, respect, and innovation drive continuous improvement in patient outcomes. Moreover, Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workplace.

The Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) role at Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital is a vital direct patient care position within the clinical team. This position is responsible for performing a broad array of respiratory care procedures that vary in complexity, including preparation, administration, and monitoring of respiratory medications and treatments, gas therapy, ventilator support, spirometry, and assistance with bronchoscopies. The RCP plays a critical role in diagnostic testing, including cardiac respiratory system evaluations, arterial blood gas analysis, and other specialized diagnostic procedures relevant to respiratory care. This role supports physicians and other healthcare professionals by providing specialized respiratory care within the scope of professional licensure.

Exceptional patient care is at the core of the RCP's responsibilities. The practitioner ensures compliance with standards and guidelines established by regulatory bodies and Houston Methodist, thereby promoting optimal patient safety and delivering top-quality customer service. The position requires proficiency in ventilator management and respiratory therapy modalities, with a focus on outcomes that enhance patient health and recovery. The RCP also contributes to quality assurance by calibrating and maintaining respiratory equipment and performing quality control measures. Critical to the role is the RCP's ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members, fostering a supportive and educational environment.

Beyond clinical duties, the RCP participates in continuous professional development and quality improvement initiatives, actively engaging in practice projects designed to innovate and improve respiratory care services. The role demands a dedicated approach to teamwork, with the RCP promoting a positive workplace culture and contributing to departmental goals for employee engagement and satisfaction. The position involves being on-call during emergencies, which reflects the hospital’s commitment to preparedness and responsive care. Travel within the Houston metropolitan area may be required, depending on departmental needs.

The ideal candidate for the Respiratory Care Practitioner role will be a graduate of an accredited respiratory education program and possess current licensure as a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in Texas. Certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and preferably Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) are necessary, depending on the assignment area. Strong interpersonal skills, time management abilities, and proficiency in computer systems for documentation are essential. Adherence to professional standards, patient advocacy, and a commitment to ongoing learning underscore the expectations for this role.