Respiratory Therapist Subacute

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Respiratory Therapist FULL TIME FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Location: Long Beach, California
Company: Pacific Care Nursing Center

PURPOSE: The Respiratory Care Practitioner is responsible for the care and safety of the residents who come under his/her care. Included within this assignment is the responsibility for assuring effective communication between himself/herself, Charge nurse, the resident, other staff, supervisors, physicians, and other hospital/skilled facility departments.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY: As Respiratory Care Practitioner, you are

delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

JOB FUNCTIONS: 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.

Position Role and Responsibilities:

1) Assignment of Care Based on Resident’s Assessment

a. Assesses residents on admission in a timely manner.

b. Uses clinical assessment skills accurately assessing each resident’s needs,

physiological, psychosocial, safety, and educational.

c. Determines attending physician of any critical findings or changes following admission.

d. Develops a plan of care with nursing actions designated to meet the identified

resident’s needs and revises as indicated.

e. Demonstrates that the care plan is utilized in providing resident care.

f. Documentation reveals that residents are assessed routinely, changes in symptoms

and reactions are evaluated, and appropriate action is taken in response to those changes.

2) Diagnosis and Therapeutic Medical Staff Orders

a. Processes physician’s written and telephone orders on a timely basis.

b. Able to prioritize implementation of physician’s orders according to resident’s

needs, physician’s requests, and interdepartmental procedures.

c. Demonstrates ability to carry out all treatments and procedures as ordered and

according to policy and procedures.

3) Communication with Medical Staff and Ancillary Departments

a. Communicates resident’s needs to appropriate person and makes referrals to other departments when indicated.

b. Notifies attending physician of changes in resident’s condition in a timely and

appropriate manner.

c. Interrelates with ancillary departments in a positive manner.

d. Communicates major changes in level of care to the nursing supervisor.

e. Updates the resident care plan each shift.

f. Documents resident’s response to treatments in therapy notes.

g. Assures completeness of therapy notes on a prompt basis and in an accurate manner.

h. Acts as an advocate in providing safe delivery of care.

i. Shows knowledge of Medical staff chain-of-command in following up of concerns.

4) Medication Administration

a. Is able to knowledgeably/safely provide all medications as ordered.

b. Periodically updates medication knowledge.

• Attendance at staff meetings.

• On unknown or questionable medications, reviews Physician Desk

Reference (PDR) or insert provided by pharmacy and discusses with Charge nurse.

• Attendance at Continuing Education (CE) classes relating to new/updated meds.

c. Accurately document medication administration including time, date, route

and signature.

d. Documents response to medication in the nursing notes and discharge

summary. Refer adverse reactions to charge nurse and attending physician.

e. Documents allergies at the time of admission and send copies of admission

information to pharmacy.

f. Uses pharmacist as a resource.

g. Initiate teaching of resident’s relative to medications being received.

h. Monitors psychotropic drug administration and documents according to policy

in care plan summary.

5) Confidentiality

a. Handles all resident’s communication and documentation in a confidential

manner.

b. Does not release resident’s information/records without following hospital’s

policy including written permission.

6) Discharge Planning

a. Demonstrates knowledge of role of Social Worker, Discharge Planner, and

Utilization Review Coordinator.

b. Contacts appropriate person and/or request order for same from attending

physician when it appears discharge or transfer is planned for near future.

c. Recognizes resident’s needs for assistance in post discharge and notifies

charge nurse and Social Services. This include:

 Transfer to an acute facility.

 Transfer to another skilled nursing facility (SNF) or board and care.

 Home Health.

 Durable medical equipment (DME) needed in home.

d. Documents possible discharge needs in the admission for and discharge

summary.

7) Family and Resident Education

a. Demonstrates ability to recognize resident/family teaching needs.

b. Works with RN to document teaching needs.

c. Interrelates positively with other teaching staff.

 Unit Director

 Charge Nurse

 In-Service Educator

d. Shows ability to provide resident with any needed teaching if other staff is

unavailable.

e. Teaches resident/family regarding all new procedures and medications being

administered by the LVN.

f. Documents teaching provided and response to same in the nursing notes.

8) Records Retention

a. The respiratory care portion of the medical records is completed promptly on

discharge and the entire medical record is forwarded to Medical Records

department.

b. There is accurate and thorough documentation on the nursing discharge

summary.

c. Assists with weekly IDT data gathering to ensure an accurate assessment of

each resident who resides in the Medi-Cal Sub acute unit.

9) Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation

a. Maintains current CPR certification. Attends class before expiration of the

card.

b. Participate in “code blue” drills.

10) Safety

a. Provides a safe environment by maintaining own physical health and mental

alertness.

b. Utilizes measures to prevent infection, notifies Infection Control nurse of any

nurse of any possible nosocomial infection of high risk resident.

c. Complete yearly employee health evaluation on a prompt basis.

d. Attends required hospital safety programs.

e. Adheres to the dress code.

f. Notifies Charge nurse of any possible safety concerns.

g. Manages and operates equipment safety efficiently.

11) Volunteers

a. Interrelates with Activity Director and volunteers in a positive manner.\

b. Is aware of clinical limitations of volunteer staff and does not request they

exceed their defined role.

12) Client Employed Personnel

a. Shows awareness of role of this type of personnel.

13) Qualifications and Requirements

1. Graduate of an accredited vocational school.

2. Possession of a current State Respiratory Care Practitioner license.

3. Possession of a thorough knowledge of respiratory practices and

process.

4. Demonstration of ability to provide quality resident care.

5. Communicates and works effectively with people.

6. Completion of CPR Certification.

14) Physical Requirements

1. Able to pass employee physical prior to orientation.

2. Able to maintain emotional ability.

3. Must be in good physical condition.

4. Physically able to perform CPR.

15) Professional Responsibilities

a. Functions as a role model for other medical staff personnel.

b. Demonstrates insight in decision making.

c. Utilizes time efficiently.

d. Manifests positive behavior change in response to corrective action.

e. Maintains good attendance record.

f. Keeps overtime to a justified minimum.

g. Requests for time off, vacations, etc. are completed accurately and forwarded

to the nursing office promptly.

h. Renews Respiratory Care Practitioner license on a timely basis.

i. Demonstrates appropriate telephone etiquette.

j. Demonstrates ability to notice people’s physical and emotional needs before

they ask, i.e., directions, change of position, fear, etc.

k. Is able to listen emphatically and supportively to residents and their families.

l. Shows awareness of people’s feelings and interrelates accordingly.

m. Demonstrates team approach – gives sense of helping others.

n. Demonstrates awareness of the need for respecting the dignity and privacy

others.

o. Must possess the ability to lift, push or pull 50 lbs. Also, must possess the

ability to bend, kneel or stoop.