Respiratory Therapist

POSITION TITLE: Respiratory Therapist (Full-time with rotating weekends)

DEPARTMENT: Nursing/Therapy

REPORTS TO: Director of Nursing STATUS: Hourly

PURPOSE OF YOUR JOB POSITION:

The primary purpose of your job position is to provide direct respiratory care to the residents, and to supervise the day-to-day respiratory activities of the residents. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be required by the Director of Nursing Services and pulmonary provider or to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Position Schedule Requirements 

This position is designated as Full-time with rotating weekends. The Respiratory Therapist in this role is expected to maintain reliable availability and coverage for scheduled day shifts, in addition to potential supplemental coverage based on facility needs, census, and patient acuity.

Candidates must demonstrate flexibility, dependability, and a commitment to maintaining continuity of respiratory care services on designated days. Regular attendance on Wednesdays is considered an essential function of this Full-time role.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

As an RRT you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties with the respiratory scope of practice defined by the Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4761-7-03

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS STATEMENT:

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. 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 an essential function of the position.

SAFETY FACTORS:

  Risk Potential to Blood/Body Fluids:

Category I : Tasks in this category involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, and require the use of personal protective equipment.

Category II : Tasks in this category involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, and/or tissues, but employment may require performing unplanned category I tasks.

Category III : these tasks require no exposure to blood, body fluids, and/or tissues, and category I tasks are not a condition of employment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative Functions

• Direct the day-to day functions related to respiratory care in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
• Periodically review the departments and unit’s policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc. Make recommendations for revisions.
• Meet with your assigned staff, as well as support personnel, in planning the shift’s services, programs, and activities.
• Ensure that the Procedures Manual is current and reflects the day-to-day procedures performed on the unit.
• Ensure that all respiratory/nursing personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Procedures Manual.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of your unit as required to the Director of Nursing and pulmonary providers.
• Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating respiratory services to ensure that the resident’s total regimen of care is maintained.
• Ensure that all respiratory service personnel are in compliance with their respective job descriptions.
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility’s quality assurance program of the respiratory service department.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as may be requested.
• Prepare the unit for pending facility surveys (inspections)
• Periodically review the resident’s written discharge plans. Participate in the updating of the resident’s written discharge plans as required.
• Assist in planning the respiratory services portion of the resident’s discharge plan as necessary.
• Participate in care conferences as needed.
• Interpret the department’s policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required as they related to respiratory department.
• Assist with admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required.
• Ensure accuracy of the accident/incident reports as necessary.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

  Charting and Documentation

• Complete and file required recordkeeping forms/charts upon the resident’s admission, transfer, and/or discharge maintaining compliance with the center’s medical records system- Electronic or traditional paper medical record.
• Review all new admission charts for accuracy and completeness as it pertains to respiratory status. Follow up on all identified areas and forward summary of findings and actions to Director of Nursing.
• Encourage attending physicians to review treatment plans, record and sign their orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies.
• Review physician order process to ensure accuracy.
• Transcribe physician’s orders to resident charts, cardex, medication cards, treatment/care plans based on findings of daily audits.
• Review respiratory staff’s notes to ensure they are written according to facility charting guidelines.
• Chart all reports of accidents/incidents involving residents. Follow established procedures.
• Report all discrepancies noted concerning physician’s orders, diet change, charting error, etc., to the Director of Nursing.
• Fill out and complete transfer forms in accordance with established procedures.
• Ensure that appropriate documentation concerning unauthorized discharges is entered in the resident’s medical record in accordance with established procedures.
• Perform routine charting duties as required and in accordance with established charting and documentation policies and procedures.
• Sign and date all entries made in the resident’s medical record.
• Complete assessment of respiratory patient
• Non vent patients – document following assessment of the patient – but no less than at least weekly
• Frequency can be determined on acuity of patient and frequency of visits as well
• Mechanical Vent – to be assessed at minimum of every 8-12 hours.

Drug Administration Functions

• Ensure unit staff prepare and administer medications as ordered by the physician.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of floor stock medications, supplies, and equipment is on hand to meet the nursing needs of the residents. Report needs to the Director of Nursing.
• Order prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment as necessary, and in accordance with established policies.
• Notify the Director of Nursing of all drug discrepancies noted on the unit.
• Review medication records for completeness of information, accuracy in the transcription of the physician’s order, and adherence to stop order policies.
• Notify the attending physician of automatic stop orders prior to the last dosage being administered.
• Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required, and in accordance with established procedures.

Personnel Functions

• Participate in employee performance evaluations, determining your units staffing requirements, and making recommendations to the Director of Nursing concerning employee dismissals, transfers, etc.
• Inform the Director of Nursing of staffing needs when assigned personnel fail to report to work.
• Report absentee call-ins to the Director of Nursing

Respiratory Care Functions

• Restores pulmonary function, alleviates pain and supports life by planning and administering medically prescribed respiratory therapy.
• Meets patients goals and needs and provides quality care by conducting pulmonary function tests, assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results, and determining respiratory therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians and by prescription
• .Helps patient accomplish treatment plan and supports life by administering inhalants, operation mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems and aerosol generators.
• Administers respiratory therapy treatments by performing bronchopulmonary drainage, assisting with breathing exercises, and monitoring physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
• Directs treatments given by aides, technicians, and assistants.
• Evaluates effects of respiratory therapy treatment plan by observing, noting, and evaluating patient’s progress and recommending adjustments and modifications
• Complete discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences.
• Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs and instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs.
• Recommends and/or provides assistive equipment and outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
• Document patient care services by charting in patient and department records
• Maintains patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Develops respiratory therapy staff by providing information and developing and conducting in-service training programs.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal and certification requirements by studying existing and new legislation, anticipating future legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions.

Staff Development

• Participate in developing, planning, conducting, and in-service training classes that provide instructions on “how to do the job,” and ensure a well-educated nursing service department.
• Implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to your shift, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.
• Assist in training department personnel in identifying tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Attend and participate in outside training programs.
• Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood borne pathogens standard.
• Attend and participate in advance directive in-service training programs for the staff and community.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

Safety and Sanitation

• Monitor the unit personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
• Ensure that established departmental policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by all unit personnel.
• Assist the Director and/or Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks in which there is potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.
• Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure of blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Ensure that your assigned work areas (i.e., nurse’s stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Ensure that your unit’s resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.
• Ensure that unit personnel follow established hand washing techniques in the administering of nursing care procedures.
• Ensure that unit personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the infection control program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the residents and personnel.
• Ensure that unit personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.
• Ensure that nursing personnel follow established procedures in the use and disposal of personal protective equipment.
• Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents.
• Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

Equipment and Supplies

• Recommend to the Director of Nursing the equipment and supply needs of your unit.
• Ensure that an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on your unit at all times to meet the needs of the residents.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment.
• Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner.
• Monitor respiratory procedures to ensure that respiratory service supplied are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
• Ensure that appropriate MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemical used in the nursing service department.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

• Review care plans to ensure that appropriate care is being rendered in accordance with the plan of care.
• Inform the Care Plan Coordinator of any changes that need to be made on the care plan.
• Ensure that your respiratory notes reflect that the care plan is being followed when administering nursing care of treatment.
• Review resident care plans for appropriate resident goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs.
• Assist the Resident Assessment/Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including the implementation of RAPs and Triggers.

Resident Rights

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Monitor nursing care to ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident’s room.
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of the resident’s responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment.
• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Social Service Department indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow the facility’s established procedures.
• Maintain a written record of the resident’s complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
• Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.
• Ensure that nursing staff personnel honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request. Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the facility’s policies governing advance directives.

Miscellaneous

• Provide data to the Quality Assurance & Assessment Committee as requested.

Working Conditions

• Works in office area (s) as well as throughout the nursing/respiratory service area (i.e., drug rooms, nurse’s stations, resident rooms, etc.)
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.)
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident’s needs.

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, a License/Degree from an accredited college or university/training program.
• Must have valid License and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) (must obtain within 3 months of hire)
• Current BLS for Healthcare provider CPR or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Certification .

Experience

• On-the-job training provided
• Prefer 6 months experience

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Respiratory Therapist in this state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must posses the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must posses the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of respiratory and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
• Must posses the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate then into existing
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
• Qualification/Skills
• Bedside Manner
• Physiological knowledge
• Infection Control
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Creating a safe, effective environment
• Informing others
• Verbal Communication
• Medical Teamwork
• Judgement
• Procedural Skills
• People Skills

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of twenty-five pounds.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.