Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

Provides quality rehabilitation care in Respiratory Therapy to residents as outlined in the plan of care and in accordance with laws, regulations and facility guidelines.

Basic Qualifications

Education & Certification:

Graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy program.

Skills & Requirements:

Must possess the ability to read, write and speak the English language, communicate resident condition to others and make independent decisions as needed; must have common working knowledge of all rules, laws and regulations as defined by the state as it relates to respiratory therapy; must be patient, friendly, courteous and respectful to residents in any situation, including difficult ones; must have ability to implement speech therapy programs, goals and objectives needed in the rehabilitation department; must be able to move frequently throughout the workday; must be able to handle sensitive situations related to the emotional well-being of the residents with patience, dignity and respect; must be able to lift 40 lbs floor to waist; lift 10 lbs waist to shoulder; lift and carry 40 lbs; and push/pull 40 lbs.

Experience:

Must be a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT); must have a license for state of practice in good standing; one year experience in a health care setting; long-term care experience preferred.

Working Conditions

Works specifically in the rehabilitation department, resident rooms, etc.; bends, lifts, sits, stands and moves frequently throughout the shift; deals with frequent interruptions and possibly upset residents and family members; works regularly scheduled shifts with possible weekends, holidays and other hours based on resident needs; primary responsibility is care of residents but also deals with visitors, government personnel, etc.; participates in required continuing education programs; subject to odors, falls, burns and exposure to infectious diseases, waste, etc., including AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Competencies of Position

Professionalism: Reports to work on time and as scheduled; keeps open communication with direct supervisors to ensure quality care of the residents; promotes teamwork, takes part in problem solving and displays a positive, caring attitude; consistently attends staff meetings, required in-services and other committees as assigned by the facility.

Resident Rights: Promptly reports resident grievances to the rehabilitation supervisors; treats all resident care information with confidentiality; continuously monitors assigned areas to ensure residents are treated fairly and with dignity and respect at all times; conducts rehabilitation care in privacy, including knocking on the door prior to entering a resident’s room; honors resident refusal of treatments and reports to rehabilitation supervisors.

Safety Awareness: Follows safety program guidelines; immediately reports accidents and incidents to supervisors; identifies unsafe working areas and promptly reports to supervisors; promotes safety by working as safely and efficiently as possible; monitors resident rooms to ensure it is clean and neat at all times; consistently follows infection control and universal precautions and other guidelines; identifies and corrects or reports hazardous conditions to supervisors; understands facility emergency and evacuation protocols.

Organizational and Communication Skills: Handles multiple residents simultaneously; completes assignments in an organized fashion by the end of scheduled shifts; operates with flexibility and shows attention to detail when recording information in resident charts; possesses effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills and is an attentive listener.

Customer Service: Treats all residents, families, co-workers and supervisors with dignity and respect and takes initiative to exceed customer expectations; professional represents the facility, self and position to visitors and residents; demonstrates a positive attitude and willingness to help to all visitors and residents; remains sensitive to all needs through listening, observing and responding appropriately for the position held.

Leadership Skills: Possesses an approachable management style; ability to solve problems and treat each situation fairly; is calming during a crisis situation; ability to build positive relationships with employees and other managers; ability to exercise sound judgment; enables and motivates staff and provides on-going recognition and praise.

Essential Job Duties

1. Assesses functional levels and capabilities of residents for swallowing and speech.
2. Conducts ongoing assessments of resident’s ability to swallow, speak and hear and makes recommendations related to resident therapy treatments.
3. Provides speech therapy treatments by following the resident plan of care.
4. Develops goals which are measurable and realistic, based on resident’s care plan.
5. Participates in the discharge planning process for residents.
6. Thoroughly documents treatment progress in resident charts in an accurate and timely manner.
7. Provides training and education to family, residents and staff for speech therapy and proper speech monitoring techniques.
8. Conducts, rates and interprets hearing and speech evaluations or tests.
9. Maintains a positive working relationship with residents and families.
10. Performs overall supervision to SLP-CFYs and rehabilitation aides to ensure quality rehab care services are provided.
11. Completes required facility forms and documents to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Other Job Duties

1. Scheduling appointments, takes calls, reorders supplies and completes insurance forms.
2. Attends and participates in meetings, conferences and seminars.
3. Assists with transporting residents from room to therapy gym, etc.
4. May participate in development and delivery of in-service training programs related to rehabilitation services.
5. Provides in-service education to facility staff as it relates to rehab services.
6. Attends required in-service education programs in accordance to facility guidelines.
7. Actively participates in state or federal survey processes.
8. Promotes continuity of care through partnering with other departments (i.e. Nursing).
9. May participate in facility and department orientation program for new employees.

Receipt and Acknowledgment

I have received a copy of the job description and understand that it does not imply nor create a promise of employment, nor an employment contract of any kind, and that my employment is at-will.

I acknowledge and understand that the job description provides a general summary of the position in which I am employed, that the contents of this job description are job requirements and, at this time, I know of no limitations which would prevent me from performing these functions with or without reasonable accommodation. I further understand that it is my responsibility to inform my supervisor at any time that I am unable to perform these functions.

I acknowledge and understand the job duties, tasks, work hours and work requirements may be changed at any time.

I acknowledge and understand that acceptable job performance includes completion of the job responsibilities, a positive attitude and compliance with the guidelines, procedures, rules and regulations.

I have read and understand this job description.

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Employee Signature Date