Advanced Wound Care and HBO Technician - PRN Days | San Antonio Med Center Rehab

Advanced Wound Care & HBO Technician

The Advanced Wound Care & HBO Technician supports providers in the wound care and hyperbaric oxygen setting and helps the clinic make appropriate use of advanced modalities. The technician watches for wound and patient changes that may point to a candidate for advanced treatment and reports those observations to the provider. Day to day, the technician assists with dressing changes and procedures, supports hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and keeps accurate records of utilization and outcomes that support clinic operations and patient volume. All clinical duties are performed under the supervision of a provider or licensed clinician, within the technician's certified scope of practice, and only after the matching competency has been validated and documented.

Responsibilities

I. Clinical Support and Patient Care

• Assist the provider or licensed clinician during dressing changes, debridement, and wound care procedures by preparing the sterile or clean field, setting up instruments and supplies, and handing off materials as directed.
• Prepare treatment rooms, instruments, and supplies, and keep the clinical area clean and safe. Room patients, obtain and record vital signs, and assist with wound measurement and clinical photography as directed by the provider.
• Position and prepare patients for treatment, and provide patient education and reassurance within the technician scope.

Advanced Modality Knowledge and Insight

• Know the available skin substitutes, cellular and tissue-based products, and other advanced modalities, including their indications and contraindications.
• Watch for patients who may be candidates for advanced modalities and report those observations to the provider, who makes the clinical decision.
• Track patient eligibility and prior authorization requirements for advanced products. Coordinate product ordering, storage, inventory, and expiration management.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Support

• Support hyperbaric treatments, including pre-treatment safety checks, patient screening, and removal of prohibited items, per protocol.
• Assist with chamber set-up, patient monitoring, and treatment documentation per protocol. Know the hyperbaric oxygen indications, contraindications, safety principles, and emergency procedures.
• Recognize and report signs of barotrauma, oxygen toxicity, and other treatment-related complications to the supervising clinician.

Program Support and Growth

• Keep tracking logs for applications performed, product utilization, patient outcomes, and denials and appeals. Assist providers with the documentation required for reimbursement and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare or contribute to monthly reports for leadership and medical directors. Spot opportunities to grow the program and improve use of advanced modalities, and report those to clinic leadership.

II. Customer Service

• Maintains the highest level of customer service via courtesy, compassion and positive communication. Promotes the mission and vision of PAM Health within the work environment and the community.
• Respects dignity and confidentiality by adherence to all applicable policies and procedures. Must possess interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills required for effective interaction with medical providers, case managers, patient assessment coordinators (PAC), and wound care managers.
• Must communicate frequently in a tactful and diplomatic manner with medical providers, case managers, PACs, and wound care managers including clear and concise querying.
• Promote customer satisfaction by way of prompt and courteous service to internal and external customers.

III. Health and Safety

• Works in a manner that promotes safety; wears clothing appropriate to the performance of the job. Participates in OSHA required training. Follows universal precautions as appropriate for position; complies with Employee Health requirements for continued employment. Reports unsafe practices to management.
• Knows own role in case of an emergency.

Qualifications

Education and Training: High school diploma or equivalent is preferred Active Medical Assistant (CMA or RMA) certification, or CNA where scope and competencies support the role is preferred. BLS certification.

Experience: Patient Care Technician (PCT) with hospital-based experience may be considered. One or more years of experience in wound care, hyperbaric medicine, or a related clinical support setting is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Sound observation, documentation, and communication skills