Registered Respiratory Therapist

POSITION OVERVIEW (non-exempt):

Must be able to plan and provide for total patient care through the use of the scope of practice in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient needs. To direct and guide patient teaching, and activities of ancillary testing, while maintaining standards of professional Clinical Practice Guidelines. Duties will include EEG, ECG, Stress, home sleep studies, PFT testing, Holter and Event monitoring, working all areas of the Cardiopulmonary department, and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current RRT or CRT credential with an active Iowa license
• Current BCLS certification

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Reports to Cardio/Pulmonary & Support Services Director

DIRECT REPORTS:

None

POSITION-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Supervises respiratory therapy services
  • Meets with discharge planner on a daily basis to identify and coordinate provision of respiratory services to patients. Sets up Respiratory services as needed for patients at discharge. Assesses need for respiratory services on all patients and coordinates supplying those services with discharge planner when respiratory therapist will not be available in house.
  • Identifies patient’s level of knowledge and comfort with the use of respiratory equipment, treatments, and respiratory related diagnoses. Educates patients on the safe care and use of respiratory equipment (inhalers, neb treatments, peak flows, acapella, CPAP and BiPAP, and home oxygen).
  • Actively participates in tobacco cessation activities for patients by discussing the options available.
  • Performs routine therapies and diagnostic testing on both an inpatient and outpatient basis in a safe manner and consults with physician when needed concerning patient's progress.
  • Actively recruits and manages all aspects of the pulmonary rehab program including scheduling, patient education, patient monitoring, exercise sessions, coordination of other depts. involved, documentation, and coordination of utilization review process. Participates as needed in the billing process for pulmonary rehab.
  • Manages all aspects of the sleep lab including patient scheduling, testing, equipment maintenance/inventory, documentation, and billing.
  • Participates in the selection and purchase of equipment and maintains respiratory equipment in high functioning condition.
• Responsible for continuous quality improvement activities of respiratory therapy. Participates in hospital wide QI projects by abstracting information on core measures.
• Participates weekly in the skilled care plan meeting and provides documentation of respiratory needs and services provided in compliance with Medicare regulations.
• Provides education and orientation and annual nursing staff updates for nursing staff that may be responsible for administering respiratory services to patients.
• Oversees the charges submitted for reimbursement of respiratory services. Maintains par levels of respiratory supplies and equipment. Revises forms, charges, and systems as needed to keep the department current. Maintains portable oxygen tanks. Coordinates facility wide the use, and maintenance of ambu bags. Assists with selection and maintenance of stock supplies of ambu bags.
• Participates in Jefferson County Health Center’s Championship Culture. Willingly assists on the nursing units and with cardiac rehab. Is proactive in assisting to answer all call lights as quickly as possible. Is able to do non-emergent EKGs. Is able to assist with doctor monitored stress tests.
• Uses problem solving techniques to address respiratory quality concerns and proactively intervenes in problematic areas.
• Attends all required and mandatory meetings.
• May be required to perform other duties as designated by manager/supervisor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Works in a climate-controlled environment
• May come in contact with hazardous chemical or treatment modalities
• Possibility exists of exposure to communicable diseases, blood/body fluids, chemicals, and gases
• Moderate to loud noise environment when machines/equipment in use
• Involvement in checking in/moving of supplies may result in unavoidable work-related injury
• Must be constantly alert for patient/family emergency situations