Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Skilled Nursing

Job description:

Position Summary: A Respiratory Therapist (RT) is responsible for managing, coordinating, and supervising the function of the Respiratory Therapists including planning and scheduling, performance evaluation, quality control, problem solving and training of respiratory techniques to respiratory staff and students. Supervision is exercised over a number of respiratory therapists. Does related work as required.

Qualifications:

• Associate degree in respiratory care, cardiorespiratory sciences or related area as recognized by the New York State Board for Respiratory Therapy.
• New York State respiratory therapist license.
• Must have a minimum of five years’ experience as a Respiratory Therapist
• Comprehensive knowledge of the practices, principles, and techniques of respiratory therapy
• Registered as a NYS RTT (or within State of employment) with computer competency, including understanding of, and ability to work with Microsoft Windows and pulmonary function software programs.
• Current CPR certification.
• Proven evaluation and care planning skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with clients, residents, and families from diverse backgrounds who may have physical, sensory, and mental impairments.
• Ability to analyze problems, plan resolution strategies, implement solutions and evaluate outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities: Every effort has been made to keep your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position.

• Develops policies and procedures for the implementation of respiratory therapy techniques and for the use of respiratory therapy equipment in accordance with approved standards
• Consults with physicians, nurses and other staff on respiratory therapy issues, to plan and schedule needed service, and resolve problems
• Reviews data of service delivery statistics to evaluate the distribution of workload, staffing and scheduling requirements and to evaluate productivity
• Organizes the work of the Respiratory Therapy staff to ensure implementation and compliance to regulatory requirements of the New York State Health Department as they apply to respiratory therapy
• Conducts respiratory staff meetings to communicate and discuss new developments, new techniques, changes in policy and procedures to insure understanding and uniformity of services provided
• Enforces safety rules and regulations as they apply to respiratory therapy
• Conducts periodic quality assurance reviews and performance appraisals to ensure compliance with departmental objectives
• Reviews and in conjunction with the rehab director, approves the purchase of new equipment and inventory to meet the demands of patient needs including insuring adequate supplies of oxygen and other therapeutic gases
• May be asked to participate participate/attend committees to provide expertise on respiratory therapy issues and to facilitate interdepartmental communication
• Per physician orders, administers therapeutic gases, aerosols, and humidification efficiently and effectively.
• Per physician’s orders, caps and decannulates tracheostomy residents and monitors effectiveness. Completes tracheostomy tube changes as ordered by physician.
• Performs BiPaP and CPap therapy including gathering and fitting equipment appropriately and monitoring resident/patient compliance and effectiveness of the therapy.
• Performs initial respiratory assessments and implements any respiratory orders from sending facility. Assesses resident upon admission for his/her baseline respiratory status and equipment needs.
• Performs all standard pulmonary function tests under the direction of the medical staff.
• Maintains open lines of communication between him/herself with Medical Director and Nurse Practitioner to communicate effectiveness or ineffectiveness of procedures.
• Performs preadmission screens of resident including gathering information from sending facility. Determines equipment needs for the resident in advance to provide for a smooth transition into the facility.
• Provides education of resident/patient/family through one-on-one verbalization and hands-on demonstration in the areas of incentive spirometry and alternative breathing maneuvers.
• Regularly follows up with noncompliant residents for further education geared toward increasing their compliance.
• Performs training, education, and assistance to staff who are responsible for respiratory treatments including proper use of equipment.
• Complies with, understands and role models all relevant regulations, policies, and exceeds or meets accepted standards of respiratory therapy practices.
• Completes all documentation thoroughly and promptly. Reviews and makes recommendations to the facility concerning staff education needs and request. Provides in-services and obtains speakers to assist staff in improving their job performance.
• Participates in Quality Assurance Performance Improvement activities.