Respiratory Therapist

Job Description

West Sacramento Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to join our team! The primary purpose of this job position is to assess, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures, maintain patient records; and select assemble, check and operate equipment.

Responsibilities:

Administrative Functions

Confer with the Director of Nursing Services and/or other licensed nursing personnel regarding dermatologic disorders of residents in the facility.

Initiate requests for consultation or referral. Respond to requests from the resident, physician, or nursing staff.

Examine the resident and his/her records and charts, and discriminate between normal and abnormal findings, in order to recognize when to refer the resident to a physician for evaluation, supervision, or directions.

Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc.

Implement and maintain established policies and procedures relative to skin care treatments. Interpret these to the physician, resident family members, and public as appropriate.

Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the attending physician, the DON concerning the status and care of the residents.

Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility’s information system.

Committee Functions

Serve on the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team.

Work with the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team in developing a comprehensive assessment and care plan for assigned residents.

Serve on, participate in, and attend various other committees of the facility (e.g., Policy Advisory) as required, and as appointed by the Administrator.

Provide written and/or oral status reports of residents that you are treating.

Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to the medical activities of the facility and the skin care of residents.

Personnel Functions

Cooperate with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee, interdepartmental, and public relations.

Maintain an effective, friendly working relationship with health professionals, physicians, consultants, and family members involved.

Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

Medical Care Functions

Set up and operate devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.

Provide emergency care, including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.

Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.

Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.

Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to manage patient care.

Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.

Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.

Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment

Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.

Relay blood analysis results to a physician.

Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.

Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises

Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.

Teach, train, supervise, and utilize the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, and assistants.

Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac and pulmonary research and to diagnose disorders.

Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.

Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms, stress testing, and lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.

Staff Development

Participate as requested by Director of Nursing Services in the planning and conducting of in-service training classes concerning dermatologic nursing skills and procedures used within the facility.

Participate in educational programs for residents and their family members relative to skin care when a resident is being discharged to home.

Attend and participate in annual facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Safety and Equipment

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Inspect, clean, test and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.

Budget and Planning Functions

Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.

Resident Rights

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

Monitor all care and activities of residents to ensure that residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident’s room.

Report any complaints or grievances made by residents regarding nursing or medical care to the Director of Nursing Services. Maintain a written record of any resident’s complaints or grievances communicated to you with a notation of actions taken.

Report allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.

Qualifications:

Bachelor degree in Respiratory Therapy from an approved program. Must be a certified RT or registered RT in the state of California

Minimum two (2) years of experience as an Respiratory Therapist

Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Respiratory Therapist in the state of California.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.

Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.

Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must possess knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Must possess knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.

Must possess knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Must possess Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Must possess knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Must possess knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.Company Description

West Sacramento Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a CIHQ accredited Congregate Living Health Facility that serves the greater Sacramento Metropolitan area and surrounding communities. Our community-based setting is ideal for residents with complex medical needs and features walking paths, gardens, fountains, and a beautiful courtyard that makes the West Sacramento Nursing and Rehabilitation experience comfortable and serene.

Our recently constructed facility offers a bright and modern environment that is therapeutic and conducive to healing. We proudly serve and care for our residents to help them return to their communities whenever possible. We look forward to meeting you!