Respiratory Therapy

Job Description

Job Description

Respiratory Therapy

We are searching for a highly motivated, flexible, organized, skilled respiratory therapist who has experience in a rehab center and possess great communication skills to put the “therapy” into respiratory therapy.  If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity, this opportunity can be for you. 

Respiratory Therapy GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Director of Respiratory Therapy is responsible for internal departmental communication and operations, facilitating and coordinating patient care, quality assurance, census development and marketing of Respiratory Therapy in his/her facility.

Respiratory Therapy ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Develops and maintains systems which build and enhance the facility’s reputation for being the unparalleled provider of Respiratory Therapy and demonstrate the facility’s approach to interdisciplinary care.

This includes but is not limited to oversight of the following departmental operations:

Compliance with facility’s policies, procedures, clinical standards, and protocols.

Compliance to documentation guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Implementing new patient programs in accordance with facility’s policies.

In-services are conducted as required.

Communicating regularly with the administrator, determining the need for visits and assistance, and scheduling time with support for maximum effectiveness.

Timely evaluation and treatment of patients in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Participation with nursing to meet OBRA requirements.

Quality of data entry and clinical documentation.

Managing use of computerized systems to optimize data quality and maximize therapist efficiency.

2. Monitors financial performance of Respiratory Therapy department and effectively seeks methods to improve this performance while ensuring that the standards are consistently observed.

This includes but is not limited to oversight of the following departmental operations:

Achieving and maintaining revenue, productivity and gross profit margin goals.

Assisting the administrator in development of the annual budget.

Appropriate and effective utilization of staff.

Managing key operations and financial levers to achieve budget projections, including development and implementation of action plans as necessary.

3. Contributes effectively to the census development/marketing efforts in coordination with the facility.

This includes, but is not limited to oversight of the following departmental operations:

Achieving the facility census and payor mix by coordinating marketing efforts with facility.

Effectively managing key relationships with therapists, physicians, key staff, managed care providers, rehab suppliers, and other key referral sources.

4. Contributes to professional development of self and facility’s staff.

This includes but is not limited to oversight of the following departmental operations:

Maintaining current professional status and licensure.

Adhering to professional standard of conduct and clinical code of ethics and practice.

Providing new employee orientation and ongoing staff development programs.

Developing and implementing in-service orientation schedules.

Maintaining a current body of knowledge in areas of clinical expertise through seminars, professional journals, and peers.

Meeting continuing education requirements of regulatory agencies.

5. Aids in building and maintaining the facility’s reputation as the unparalleled Respiratory Therapy provider by contribution as a professional member of the staff.

This includes but is not limited to oversight of the following departmental operations:

Consistently demonstrating the facility’s core values by interacting with co-workers,  patients and families, with all other persons involved with the patient’s care.

Consistently demonstrating professional standards as outlined in the facility’s Employee Handbook and as communicated by the facility’s management.

Contributing to a positive work team by sharing information, using problem solving methods and accepting new ideas, constructive criticism, or advice from others.

Maintaining close communications within the facility with the director of nursing, nurse managers, and admissions coordinator to assist in development of the Respiratory Therapy program.

Establishing and maintaining an effective rapport with the facility administrator, MDS, Rehab Director, DON, and medical director.

Demonstrating superior customer service through courtesy, consistent follow-up and positive communication.

6. Provides patient treatments which meet patient needs and uses current treatment

knowledge in accordance with facilities clinical procedures. This includes but is not

limited to:

Performing accurate, comprehensive patient evaluations.

Developing effective plan of treatment and obtaining appropriate approvals from referring physician.

Communicating with supervisor and interdisciplinary team members regarding patient progress, problems, and treatment plans.

Instructing patient’s families and/or nursing staff in specified follow through programs.

Interviewing patients and families regarding previous level of functioning, life style and current and future expectations for recovery.

Demonstrating knowledge of appropriate resources for problem-solving and clinical best practice.

Evaluating patients within required timeframe as per facility policies.  Provides patient care as appropriate and necessary, following the position description for the applicable clinical discipline in which licensure or certification is held.

 7.  Writes accurate, complete, and clear documentation in accordance with Lebanon Centers, regulatory, licensing, payor, and accrediting requirements.

This includes but is not limited to:

Recording Screens/Resident Needs Reviews, evaluations, daily treatment notes, in accordance with facility Policies and Procedures.

Recording treatment charges accurately and insuring that documentation is consistent with billing data.

Writing specific, objective documentation that is outcome oriented and details the patient’s needs, potential to benefit from treatment, and progress achieved to date.  Includes specific, objective measurable goals.

 8.  Consistently demonstrates facility interdisciplinary approach to patient care.

This includes but is not limited to:

Integrating findings of other members of the interdisciplinary team in treatment assessment and recommendations.

Integrating input from patient and family in treatment assessment and recommendations.

Preparing for and providing meaningful contributions to the rehab team conferences, patient care conferences, utilization review meetings, family conferences, and caregiver training sessions.

Collaborating with and informing facility staff in areas of patient progress.

Educating members of the team in areas of expertise.

Working with facility to teach documentation practices which assist the respiratory therapy team.

Communicating effectively with discharge planners.

9.  Demonstrates safe working practices .

This includes but is not limited to:

Identifying and correcting safety hazards or notifying the facility or the Admin so that safety hazards will be immediately remedied.

Maintaining work areas in safe and orderly fashion.

Maintaining equipment in safe working order by facilitation annual calibration.

Using proper body mechanics during treatments of patients and during support activities.

Using universal safety precautions.

Wearing appropriate protective equipment.

Respiratory Therapy   QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Knowledge of respiratory community.

Demonstrated leadership and management skills.

Skills applicable to clinical discipline.

Knowledge of medical terminology.

Knowledge of current payment system

Knowledge and ability to carryout strategic operational plans

Basic knowledge of Minimal Data Set

Knowledge of respiratory disease and diseases that affect the respiratory system.

Ability to use respiratory therapy equipment.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in devising, installing and interpreting rules, regulations, policies, or procedures.

Ability to supervise staff of professional, technical, and clerical subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to express ideas and information, clearly, concisely, verbally and writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with subordinates, superiors, and officials of other departments.

Program development and implementation

Management and administration of therapies as prescribed by a physician and according to the standard procedure

o    Described in the Departmental Policy and procedure Manual in these areas:

§  Oxygen therapy

§  Aerosol therapy

§  IPPB therapy

§  Incentive Spirometry

§  Chest physiotherapy

§  Oro/Naso-pharyngeal suctioning

§  Tracheo-bronchial suctioning and tracheostomy care

§  Airway management/assessment

§  Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation

2. Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited program for Respiratory Therapy preferred

Must possess and maintain a current license in the state of practice as required

Other education and experience may be considered.

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