Respiratory Therapist

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Responsible for independently performing respiratory care procedures which requires the ability to interpret physician orders, assess resident needs, deliver prescribed therapy and evaluate resident response. Functions as consultant, educator, and clinician to clinical staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Highschool Diploma required.

• Must be a Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist in the state in which practiced.

• Ventilator Unit experience required; experience in long term care or skilled nursing, preferred.

• Possess effective communication skills to maintain positive relationship with residents, families, staff, physicians, consultants, providers, and governmental agencies, their representatives and the community.

• Current knowledge of local, state and federal guidelines and regulations

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promotes healing of acutely ill residents whose cardiac or pulmonary systems have been compromised through illness or injury through the provision of respiratory care, diagnostic testing, psychosocial needs and resident and/or responsible party education.

• Provides proper and safe administration of respiratory care including intermittent and continuous therapy, mechanical ventilation, airway management and non-invasive oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring of residents.

• Provides the set-up, administration and therapeutic use of medical gases and administration apparatus, environmental control systems, humidification, aerosols, medications, ventilatory support, airway management, chest physiotherapy as they relate to the patient in the home environment.

• Follows the clinical management of the rehab department, including oversight related to case management, quality improvement, care planning, clinical utilization and resident identification.

• Ensures the clinical manage of rehab department including reimbursement, criteria services, billing, resident records and equipment records.

• Collaborates with nursing leadership to integrate respiratory care functions into day to day nursing practice as appropriate; trains other personnel as needed.

• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates respiratory therapy care and life support to residents in all areas of the nursing center; Encourages progression and enhances efficient operation of respiratory services.

• Manages effective coordination of equipment by staff; Ability to coordinate, receive and document the order for equipment and/or services from referral source, physician, resident/client, family member, or care giver as needed; Assesses the need of the residents and the best choice of equipment and/or services to meet those needs.

• Coordinates communication with residents and/or responsible parties, physician, and nursing on changes in resident’s condition and/or or needs and carries out adjustment to the resident’s care plan/plan of treatment.

• Develops and implements discharge plans for residents.

• Tracks and maintains follow up on preventative maintenance and scheduled visits for respiratory therapy equipment.

• Assess developmental needs for all age groups across the life span and adjust care and instruction with regard to the physical, psychosocial, and emotional needs of the resident.

• Responsible for the provision of general medical equipment and supplies to the company’s resident population, as ordered by a physician.

• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without notice.