Respiratory Therapist DirectorPOSITION SUMMARYThe Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing residents with the highest quality of respiratory care services in accordance with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and associated licensing entities, the Resident's Bill of Rights and the facility Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. The Respiratory Therapist Director is responsible for creating policies and procedures focused on respiratory services care, quality and process improvement related to quality of care, provides respiratory training and education as well as plans, organizes, assesses, treats, coordinates, evaluates and assists with all respiratory needs in the Ventilator Unit; developing respiratory care plans and conducting assessments in coordination with the RN Nurse Manager. All respiratory activities are performed to support residents in achieving and maintaining the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIESPlans of Care- Conducts focused assessments of residents through collection and comparison of data sourced from resident, family interviews, observations, and review of medical records
- Develops Respiratory Plan of Care through completion of responsibilities, clearly communicating resident needs to primary caregivers and reporting changes and responses to the Nurse Manager
- Maximizes quality of living through continual monitoring and reporting of resident care and correlated recommendations, ensuring all outcomes are thoroughly and accurately documented
- Recognizes limits of knowledge, skill and experience; facilitates situations beyond their competency
- Attends Care conferences as needed.
Respiratory Services- Creates policies and procedures focused on respiratory services
- Focuses on Quality and process improvement related to respiratory services
- Maintaining par levels and inventory of equipment
- Working with vendors related to Respiratory Services
- Responds to cardiopulmonary emergencies and assists in establishing/maintaining airway
- Provides manual ventilation and airway management under direction of a physician • Provides mechanical ventilatory support and monitoring
- Initiates, monitors and makes recommendations regarding respiratory care procedures
- Records actions and observations on resident care delivery; reports resident progress and anticipated changes in care to next shift
- Operates and maintains all respiratory care equipment
- Performs diagnostic procedures such as apnea testing, spirometry and sputum induction
- Monitors and troubleshoots oxygen administration • Assures proper and safe use of medical gas cylinders (oxygen, heliox, nitric oxide)
- Performs testing, arterial punctures and bronchoscopies in ventilated and non-ventilated residents
- Performs CPR as indicated
- Responsible for set up and administration of CPAP and non-invasive ventilation
- Works closely with interdisciplinary team; facilitates appropriate modifications to residents' care plans
- Performs therapeutic assessments and evaluates respiratory products and equipment • In coordination with nursing, assesses the cardiopulmonary status of resident
- Initiates specialized respiratory care treatments to evaluate and monitor response and modifying as needed to achieve therapeutic objectives
- Performs diagnostic studies (obtaining basic lung volumes, peak flows, obtaining arterial blood samples)
- Provides mechanical ventilatory weaning as ordered by medical provider" "Performs decannulation as ordered by medical provider
- Provides clarification of respiratory care therapies and procedures
- Serves as a first line for troubleshooting and resolving respiratory equipment issues
- Completes required medical record documentation and reports for services provided
- Assists in the development, review and revision of respiratory procedures and practice guidelines, making recommendations for respiratory care policies
- Partners with all staff to promote a positive, productive work environment
- Makes available, written material, presentations, and in-services in an effort to promote disease prevention and improved disease management
FACILITY COMPLIANCE- Provides Respiratory focused training and education
- Promotes a highly positive workplace centered on strong customer service, inclusivity and ensuring staff feel welcome and supported
- Responsible for financial budget of the department
- Uses, observes, and instructs nursing staff in safe respiratory care techniques including proper use of equipment, when applicable
- Maintains knowledge of, promotes and follows Monarch safety policies, OSHA guidelines regarding bloodborne pathogens and Standard Precaution infection control policies to provide safe nursing care
- Maintains a safe, clean environment in resident rooms and facility following procedure to bag infectious linens and equipment or proper disposal of them; proper handwashing, disinfection/cleaning schedules
- Ensures physician orders are strictly followed, and that provisions are in place to assure compliance
- Ensures resident records are complete through systematic collection, reporting and documentation of data that is secure from unauthorized access and follows state and federal regulations, including HIPAA
- Gathers and documents data on admissions and discharges
- Documents all orders that have been initiated
- Promptly reports and documents incidents and errors involving residents, staff, visitors or self
- Ability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends as directed by supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONSEducation and Experience- Current Minnesota License as a Respiratory Therapist
- Current Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and emergency care
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Three years clinical experience administering direct care C
Preferred- Experience in healthcare, skilled nursing facility or assisted living community
Required Skills and Abilities- Leadership; achieves established goals through inspiration and loyalty of staff
- Resilience: ability to welcome constructive feedback, course correct and not take it personally
- Personability; ability to get along with all personality types and inspire trust with residents, staff, family
- High emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Ability to actively listen, with the goal of understanding
- Ability to clearly speak and proficiently read, write and understand English
