Pulmonary Therapy Program Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY:

Maple Heights is a 53 bed skilled nursing facility. Daytime hours only. Sign on bonus available. The primary purpose of your job position is to be responsible and accountable for the administration of comprehensive respiratory care services and for appropriate documentation in the medical record of the therapy provided. The respiratory therapist advises medical staff on appropriate types of therapeutic modalities. In addition, the respiratory therapist will provide, the nursing and personal care required by residents of the facility on your ventilation unit, and to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all residents of the facility. Such care and assistance must be supervised and provided in accordance with the facility's established policies and procedures and applicable laws and regulations, and the directions of your supervisors, who include the Administrator, Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, House Supervisor and other members of the facility's management to whom such persons report, in order to assure the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times. As Respiratory Therapist you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Duties:

• Administers safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician.

• Monitors mechanical ventilation, ensuring equipment is clean and working properly.

• Leads and assists in patient assessment, monitoring, teaching, and training.

• Direct the day-to-day functions of the nursing assistants on nursing floor.

• Meet with assigned nursing staff, as well as support personnel, in planning the shift’s services, programs and activities.

• Make written & oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of the shift as required.

• Admit, transfer and discharge residents as required.

• Provide leadership to nursing personnel assigned to your unit/shift.

• Determines the optimal allocation of present staff, per shift and assignment on each unit is present.

• Coordinates the care of patients on assigned shift. Communicates shifts concerns by unit to appropriate staff (via e-mails, voice mail, etc.).

• Review of 24-Hour Report and review patients as indicated for change of condition.

• Serves as administrative authority for the smooth function of all units.

• Notifies Director or Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, Scheduler/Central Supply of urgent concerns during the shift. When the concern is non-urgent, notifies manager by phone message or e-mail.

• Receives employee, resident and family grievances. Refers information to appropriate manager.

• Assists nurses in completing risk assessments and investigations of injury.

• Notifies Assistant Director of Nursing and Human Resources Director of identified learning needs.

• Receives employee call-offs. Records call-offs and updates schedule. Notifies managers/supervisors of call-offs in their units via voice mail. Replaces for absences and vacancies for upcoming shift(s). Assists staff to pick up hours (call-in phone, e-mail, vacancy lists, 72-hour availability list).

• Works with the Staffing Coordinator and Director of Nursing to assure that vacancies are filled in advance.

• Performs rounds to monitor the conditions and care of acutely ill patients.

• Supervises staff and assures survey compliance daily. Provides guidance and support to staff to better plan work flow.

• Receives reports throughout the shift. Completes reports for “I” team members on each unit.

• Assists nurses in assessing residents who are experiencing acute changes.

• Provides clinical expertise in the management of medical and psychiatric emergencies.

• Responds to code blue, medical assist situations. Assists staff, as needed.

• Provides clinical expertise in medical management, crisis and behavior management techniques.

• Audits charts routinely. Provides clinical expertise in documentation, including MDS, Medicare PPS, acute illness charting, weekly summaries and care planning.

• Ensures timely notification of MD/Family Representatives where warranted.

• Obtains supplies from medical supply after hours.

• Restocks the crash cart immediately after use.

• Directs staff response to emergencies, such severe weather, fire or bomb scare. Participates in fire drills. Directs disaster evacuation plan, as needed.

• Meets routinely with the Director of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing.

• Assists with the development and implementation of nursing policies and procedures.

• Attends facility Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Meetings.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Current CRTT certification is required.

• Must have current CPR certification.

• Requires graduation from a CoARC (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) and regionally accredited respiratory care program.

• Requires that the N.B.R.C. (National Board for Respiratory Care) registry exam be passed within 13 months of hire date.

• The 13-month requirement for the RRT is void if hire date is one year past graduation date.

• Current Advanced Life Support Certification may be required according to patient care policies.

• Experience with long term care preferred.

• Requires strong customer service skills.

• Requires effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Requires the ability to deal with confidential patient information.

• Requires basic computer skills and ability to work with EMR.

Physical Demands:

• Be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

• Must be able to cope with the mental & emotional stress of the position.

• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical & physical examination.

• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.