Respiratory Therapist 3

Respiratory Therapist Position at Norwalk Hospital Association

To provide pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation and respiratory home care collaboration. A registered respiratory therapist with clinical experience that supports instructing patients how to live with chronic pulmonary disease by providing education and exercise. Acts as a resource for other disciplines as needed.

Responsibilities:

1. Assessment and Evaluation: Completes initial evaluation of patients referred to the pulmonary rehabilitation program, select outpatient respiratory care modalities, asthma education, tracheostomy care or smoking cessation counseling. Uses appropriate procedures and evaluation tools according to pulmonary rehabilitation procedures, validated protocols and other professional guidelines. Formulates goals for rehabilitation; includes the patients goal as part of the goal statement. Documents clear, concise reports in the electronic health record.

2. Planning, Intervention and Evaluation: Plans treatment for each patient based on the initial and ongoing assessment of the patient. Formulates plans for specific modalities for rehabilitation patients. Implements appropriate treatment plan according to policies and procedures, specific to the patients needs. Documents progress for each treatment session, assesses response to therapy/education and plans next treatment. Includes patient in the treatment plan when possible by assigning self-care measures that are mutually agreed upon. Involves other disciplines in the treatment plan and documents interaction in the patients record.

3. Patient Education: Documents results of teaching on designated forms. Teaches patients and their families at an age-appropriate level. Uses appropriate and current published patient information material to supplement teaching.

4. Follow-Up Program: Participates in ongoing communication with patients with chronic lung disease. Assists with the periodic patient satisfaction surveys.

5. Training and Education: Updates knowledge and skills through attendance at in-hospital and outside educational programs. Precepts respiratory therapy students in aspects of pulmonary rehabilitation.

6. Other duties and procedures as requested by the section. May include but not limited to spirometry, nebulizer therapy, arterial blood draws, and emergency procedures such as cardiac arrest. Treats inpatients and outpatients in the pulmonary rehabilitation program according to rehabilitation procedures. Teaches aspects of safe exercise, breathing retraining, and medication administration. Evaluates patients for home oxygen therapy and consults with case management.

7. Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.

8. Maintains and models the organizations values.

9. Demonstrates regular, reliable and predictable attendance.

10. Performs other duties as required.

Education Skills Experience:

Required:

Connecticut State Licensure-Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP)

Associates Level degree from an Accredited Respiratory Care Program

Registered Respiratory Therapist by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Essential:

Basic Life Support (BLS)-Healthcare Provider

Minimum Experience: 2 years.

Maintain Connecticut State Licensure and Registered Respiratory Therapist credential by NBRC

Desired:

Bachelor Level Degree

Completion of Pulmonary Rehab Certificate Course sponsored by the AARC

Working Conditions:

Manual: significant manual skills/motor coord & finger dexterity

Occupational: Some occupational risk

Physical Effort: Medium to Heavy effort. May exert up to 35 lbs. force

Physical Environment: Some exposure to dirt, odors, noise, human waste, etc.

Company: Norwalk Hospital Association

Org Unit: 368

Department: Pulmonary Rehab

Exempt: Yes

Salary Range: $38.28 - $71.16 Hourly