Respiratory Therapist

RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

JOB DESCRIPTION

Department
Nursing

Reports to
Director of Nursing

Reporting to this position
N/A

Job Classification
Department Staff

Position Purpose
Leads, guides and directs the delivery of respiratory care services in the facility in accordance with local, state and federal regulations, standards and established facility policies and procedures to provide appropriate care and services to residents.

Required Qualifications

The Respiratory Therapist must possess:

A valid, unrestricted license in his/her therapy discipline in the state.

Meet educational requirements of his/her licensure requirements.

Valid driver's license in the state of employment preferred.

Knowledgeable of skilled nursing home regulations, procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to long-term care preferred.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates and directs the delivery of respiratory care services as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current state and federal laws and regulations; and respective practice act(s) in the state.

Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs the execution of respiratory care services in accordance with physician's orders, the American Association of Respiratory Care, and the Respiratory Care Board of Massachusetts.

Coordinates the achievement and reporting of the facility's key performance respiratory care indicators. Establishes an ongoing system to monitor these key indicators.

Evaluates and reports key performance indicator outcomes of respiratory care to the Director of Nursing to determine the need for action such as re-education or revisions related to the facility's outcomes, regulatory compliance, practice act(s) and/or customer satisfaction.

Develops and implements processes and systems to effectively lead, guide and direct the delivery of respiratory care services including but not limited to processes for the timely screening, evaluation, treatment, discharge and all associated documentation requirements for residents in the facility.

Complies with facility policies and procedures for appropriately documenting, billing and coding for residents receiving respiratory care services.

Provides resident information needed for the resident assessment instrument according to facility policy such as signs and symptoms of respiratory disorders, cognitive patterns, respiratory care minutes and distinct calendar days, etc. during the defined observation period(s).

Provides resident information needed for prior functioning in functional cognition as required by facility policy (RAI User's Manual) for Medicare Part A, Medicare Advantage residents upon admission.

Ensures respiratory care equipment is stored, used and sanitized, disinfected and/or cleaned properly and safely in the facility.

Participates in daily, weekly, and/or monthly rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss residents' progression in relation to discharge planning for residents receiving respiratory care services as designated by the Director of Nursing.

Adheres to the state practice guidelines in his/her discipline as defined by the Massachusetts Respiratory Care Practice Act. Maintains appropriate conduct and follows practice guidelines as defined by the professional association.

Develops and maintains positive relationships with residents, employees, and family members through scheduled, deliberate positive interactions with them using face to face, phone, or other means of communication.

Maintains accountability in concert with applicable standards of practice, by-laws, and code of conduct for his/her discipline.

Facilitates, serves, attends or participates in various committees of the facility as necessary.

Knows and understands the purpose and requirements for the scope of work and supervision requirements as defined by the Massachusetts Respiratory Care Practice Act.

Ensures delivery of compassionate quality care and services across the respiratory care spectrum as evidenced by adequate, and competent respiratory care staff, general cleanliness of treatment areas/offices, and optimal resident functioning and satisfaction with respiratory services provided.

Identifies and collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team, physicians, consultants, and community agencies to identify opportunities for enhanced services to the residents and/or resolve issues.

Knows respiratory care employees and employees across all departments by name in order to effectively communicate and meet resident needs as well as any miscellaneous related needs.

Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication. Promotes positivity and active daily problem solving.

Makes written and oral reports/recommendations to the Director of Nursing concerning respiratory care.

Follows facility policy related to readiness for health inspection surveys, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surveys, and any other regulatory entity or requirement.

Reads and stays informed regarding regulatory, scope of work and supervision requirements as defined by the Massachusetts Respiratory Care Practice Act, business practices and other changes influencing respiratory care outcomes.

Promotes safe work practices, safety rules, and accident prevention procedures to prevent resident/employee injury and illness.
Additional Tasks

Treats all residents with dignity and respect. Promotes and protects all residents' rights.

Establishes a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility policies and procedures. Complies with standards of business conduct, and state/federal regulations and guidelines, and relevant practice act(s).

Follows appropriate safety and hygiene measures at all times to protect residents and themselves.

Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, including verbal, written, and electronic communications.

Reports noncompliance with policies, procedures, regulations, or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel. Reports any retaliation or discrimination to the Administrator.

Reports any allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, exploitation, or mistreatment of residents to supervisor and/or administrator. Protects residents from abuse, and cooperates with all investigations.

Reports any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy.

Participates in all life safety and emergency drills and trainings. Fulfills responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility's emergency plan.

Reports work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to designated staff member.

Follows established infection control policies and procedures.

As a condition of employment, completes all assigned training and skills competency.
Personal Skills and Traits Desired/Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

Must have patience, tact, and willingness to deal with difficult residents, family and staff.

Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Must be willing and able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Meets general health requirements according to facility policy, including medical and physical exams and checking immunity status to various infectious diseases.

Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.

Ability to assist in evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, perform overhead lifting and perform other common physical movements as needed for the position.

May be subject to falls, burns from equipment, and/or odors throughout the day; encounter reactions from dust, tobacco smoke, disinfectants, and other air contaminants.

Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases and/or conditions which include AIDS, Coronavirus, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis.

May be subject to hostile or emotional residents, family members, visitors or personnel.

Contributes to and exemplifies team work.

Makes independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Possesses leadership, supervisory skills and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

Successfully follows oral and written instructions.

Successfully relays information concerning residents, employees or any given subject matter.

Willing to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Communicates with medical, nursing staff, and all departments.

Accepts call-backs during emergency conditions.

Works in office and throughout the facility.

Willing to work to task completion in spite of frequent interruption
Compliance as a Condition of Employment and Performance Appraisal

Agreement to abide by all standards, policies, and procedures of the facility, including the facility's compliance and ethics program, is a condition of employment. Compliance will be a factor in evaluating job performance. Violations, including failure to report violations, will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

This job description is intended to convey the general scope of the major duties and responsibilities inherent in this position. Other tasks not listed here may be assigned by the Director of Nursing. Periodic revision may be necessary to reflect changes in expectations placed on long term care by various governmental agencies. This job description will be reviewed and/or revised annually and as needed.

Individual performance will be evaluated using the following scale:

1. Unsatisfactory: Achieves results which are far less than the standards identified for the performance factors rated.

2. Needs Improvement: Achieves results which are less than the standards identified for the performance factors rated. Exhibits the potential to become a competent performer. May be new to job or need skill development.

3. Meets Standards: Achieves results which meet the standards identified for the performance factors rated. This rating is the expected level of performance.

4. Exceeds Standards: Achieves results which usually exceed the standards identified for the performance factors rated.