Position Summary:
The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing specialized respiratory nursing care to residents. Care must be delivered in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as directed by the Director of Nursing Services or their designee. This position emphasizes the prevention, diagnosis, and management of respiratory conditions among residents. Reports to: Director of Nursing and Executive Director
Essential 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Successful performance requires satisfactory completion of all essential duties and responsibilities. The essential duties described below are representative of the skills and ability necessary while performing the basic functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
· Assist care staff in the performance of respiratory support duties and assume direct care activities when needed, including assisting with oxygen therapy, inhalation treatments, and airway management.
· Provide individual, group, family, and collateral rehabilitative respiratory support services to facilitate airway clearance, oxygen management, self-care/safety practices, and respiratory coping strategies; may provide respiratory case management services in the office and in the field.
· Work towards maintaining each resident’s respiratory independence, personal dignity, safety, and confidentiality while managing respiratory needs.
· Display tact and friendliness when dealing with residents, families, visitors, and co-workers during respiratory assessments and interventions.
· Assist new residents requiring respiratory support with arranging personal respiratory equipment and help familiarize residents and family members with their respiratory care plans.
· Communicate with community healthcare professionals, including respiratory therapists, physicians, discharge planners, nurses, and state agencies on the respiratory and medical needs of all residents at the property.
· Conduct thorough reporting of pertinent respiratory and general health information to oncoming shift. Complete documentation in, and encourage use of, the Respiratory Communication Log on each shift.
· Participate in end-of-shift respiratory report to ensure all vital information is effectively communicated to the next shift.
· Coordinate incidental medical and respiratory care services, including monitoring oxygen tanks, nebulizer treatments, and respiratory-related interventions for residents.
· Assist the Director of Nursing with managing physician orders related to respiratory therapies and oversee timely delivery and use of respiratory supplies and medications.
· Observe residents for signs of respiratory distress and collect and document data pertinent to respiratory and general healthcare; communicate all critical respiratory information to healthcare providers.
· Ensure proper documentation regarding changes in respiratory condition, respiratory-related incident reporting for residents and staff, and maintain accurate medical records.
· Exercise critical thinking in recognizing respiratory symptoms and diagnoses, applying problem-solving skills to manage acute and chronic respiratory conditions.
· Assist the Activity Department staff by supporting residents requiring respiratory precautions or modifications during planned activities.
· Attend all scheduled respiratory and general in-service training and education classes.
· As requested, assist the Director of Nursing with orienting new staff to proper respiratory care protocols and community respiratory policies.
· Provide support to the community’s marketing efforts through positive, knowledgeable interactions regarding respiratory services during property tours and telephone contact with the public, and as directed by a supervisor.
· Analyze and evaluate respiratory care data to ensure compliance with objectives and recommend corrective action to meet respiratory program goals.
· For all new residents, verify respiratory-related medications and therapies with the physician, coordinate respiratory medication management with the pharmacy, and complete new resident respiratory paperwork.
· Maintain accurate respiratory records and complete documentation as directed by the Director of Nursing.
· As directed by the Director of Nursing, assist with communication regarding residents’ respiratory status among families, physicians, healthcare agencies, and pharmacies.
· Maintain current knowledge of community policies, programs, services related to respiratory care, and general community health services.
· Understand basic and advanced respiratory medical terminology, procedures, and commonly used abbreviations.
· Demonstrate ability to follow infection control procedures and emergency respiratory response protocols.
· Assure confidentiality in all matters, including but not limited to employee, resident, and respiratory care information.
· Participate in daily management meetings to communicate key respiratory care issues within the community.
· Maintain compliance with all Federal (including Title 22) and state regulations, as well as company respiratory care policies and procedures applicable to job duties.
· Maintain a safe and secure environment for all staff, residents, and guests, following established respiratory and facility safety standards.
· As a mandated reporter under the State of California regulations, report all known or suspected incidents of abuse of dependent adults or elders, including cases that may involve respiratory neglect.
· Perform other duties as assigned and consistent with the success of the Respiratory Therapist position.
Safety and Sanitation
- Accept and implement all infection control precautions, specific to resident’s specific clinical condition including universal precautions and any other specialized infection control precautions.
- Accept and follow all facility established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
- Ensure all resident care rooms and treatment areas are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.
- Follow all department policies and appropriate facility designated dress code.
Equipment and Supply Functions
- Recommend the equipment and supply needs of the department
- Report to director any medication, medical supply, and equipment necessary to perform your job functions.
- Immediately report any unsafe, malfunctioning or questionable equipment in use by the department.
- Mark any failed equipment to prevent use
- Ensure any nursing or respiratory supplies are used in an efficient and safe manner
- Ensure that protective equipment is used in the handling of infectious waste or materials.
Care Plan And Assessment Functions
- Document and complete preliminary and initial care plans upon resident admission.
- Review respiratory notes and physician orders to ensure care plan is being followed.
- Review and revise care plans as necessary.
- Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in providing the comprehensive plan of care.
Resident Rights
- Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information
- Provide respiratory therapy services to ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity and respect.
- Ensure that all respiratory therapy services are provided in privacy and that all therapists knock before entering a resident’s room.
- Provide ordered therapies according to the resident’s rights including the right to refuse treatment.
- Immediately report any resident complaints, signs or observations of questionable behavior or abuse immediately to the Administrator.
- Report all allegations of abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property to the Administrator.
- Have knowledge and respect of residents advance directives.
Working Conditions
· Works in office areas and throughout facility.
· Moves intermittently during working hours.
· Is subject to frequent interruptions.
· Works beyond normal working hours on weekends and holidays, when necessary.
· Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
· Subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors and is exposed to dust, disinfectants, hazardous chemicals, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
· Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, visitors, or others.
· Involved in community/civic health matters/projects.
· Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, and conditions, including Tuberculosis and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
Specific Requirements
· Must hold a current Respiratory Therapist license issued by the state.
· Able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
· Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
· Possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, visitors, and the general public based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.
· Ability to be calm and level-headed in emergencies.
· Well groomed, professional and possess ability to work harmoniously with other personnel.
· Ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing admission practices.
· Follows written and oral instructions.
· Knowledgeable in the use of computers, e-mail, spreadsheets and document word processing.
· Maintain patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as ability to handle residents, staff, and visitors, based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.
Physical Mental and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
· Move intermittently throughout the work day.
· Speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
· Cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
· Possess sight/hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met.
· Function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with other personnel.
· Meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
· Operate computer, cellular telephone and facility telephone and paging systems.
· Repetitive hand motion. Minimal lifting and carrying requirements.
· Assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years of age.
Education: High school diploma and Respiratory Therapist license.
First Aid Training and CPR as required.
Experience: Prefer at least two (2) years’ experience providing residential/behavioral care to the elderly. Additional experience in specialized dementia care preferred.
Professionalism/Personal Ethics: Has respect and compassion towards older adults. Demonstrates concern for the physical and emotional needs of residents and their families. Inspires trust and builds a culture of teamwork. Upholds values of company and shows personal integrity.
Mathematical/Reasoning Skills: Able to perform basic mathematical functions and resolve issues in stressful situations.
Communication Skills: Clearly and informatively communicate information to employees, residents, family members, and agencies. Able to listen to others and communicate their needs. Able to speak, read, and write English.
Computer Skills: Proficient in operating office equipment and computers including email, word processing, excel applications.
Working Conditions: Well-lighted and with appropriate ventilation and temperature levels.
Other Requirement: Employee must pass a criminal record clearance, health screening and drug testing prior to beginning work in the community.
Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly listen and speak to individuals, sit and stand for long periods, move about the community, bend, reach, and grasp. May occasionally need to lift up to 20 lbs., and assist with pushing, helping or walking with residents. Good vision is required.
Pay: $35.00 - $40.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
