Respiratory Therapy Assistant

WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Respiratory Therapy Assistant

MAIN FUNCTION:

            Works under the supervision of an experienced credentialed Pulmonary/Neurology personnel i.e. RRT.  Provides respiratory care to patients of all ages in an efficient, professional, compassionate and caring manner.  Directs the activities of paraprofessionals as they provide care.   Responsible for assuring effective communication with patients, support persons and members of the healthcare team.   Responsible for implementing respiratory care of assigned patients including, but not limited to:  patient assessment, evaluation and  education, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry, electro cardiograms and the routine sterilization and cleaning of equipment, and documentation of therapies provided.   Acts in compliance with hospital, Pulmonary/Neurology Department policies/procedures, the Ohio Respiratory Care Board and the Respiratory Care Practitioner Act.

RESPONSIBLE TO:   Director, Charge Therapist

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• Medical Board of Ohio Basic Skills Checklist
• High School Diploma
• Temporary or Limited Permit from the (ORCB)
• No written disciplinary action within the last 12 months

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• One year clinical experience
• BLS certification

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Employees in this position may be:

1. Exposed to blood, body fluids, and/or airborne pathogens and are required to wear personal protective equipment
2. Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, turn, crouch and bend as necessary to complete tasks.
3. Subject to STHR (short term hours reduction) according to policy

POSITION EXPECTATIONS:  All expectations detailed below are considered ADA (American Disabilities Act) Essential.

Leadership

1. Embraces teamwork by adhering to standards of service excellence
2. Accepts and responds to change productively, while maintaining a positive attitude
3. Role models professional respiratory practice and behavior
4. Demonstrates conflict resolution skills
5. Utilizes time management and effective use of resources

1. Uses professional communication that fosters a calm and orderly environment.

Communication

1. Maintains awareness of verbal/non verbal communication in interactions with staff, other departments, physicians, patients and families
2. Maintains patient confidentiality in all communication interactions:  written, verbal, electronic and digital
3. Communicates effectively with all members of the health care team
4. Reports critical information to supervising therapist to be reported to physicians and others as indicated
5. Properly utilizes chain of command to handle issues
6. Facilitates communication between staff members
7. Demonstrates basic ability to initiate and manage crucial conversations 
8. Utilizes AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Expectations, Thank You) to foster positive communication

1. Communicates all pertinent information regarding patients and their families care needs to Reparatory, Nursing and other departmental staff as reasonable and necessary (ex: report)
2. Asks for help/advice from supervising therapist when needed

Operations

1. Maintains appropriate clinical skills:

• Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate the needs of the department and are prioritized and completed in an independent and timely manner
• Administers care according to WCH and Pulmonary/Neurology Policy/Procedure, current standards of care and Ohio Respiratory Care Board and the Respiratory Care Practitioner Act and the AARC Practice guidelines
• Performs assessments/reassessments and documentation to patient’s condition, needs and age, per Respiratory and Nursing documentation guidelines.  Communicates changes in patient’s condition to supervising therapist in a timely manner so that the supervising therapist may contact Physician and suggests possible interventions and course of care as appropriate in a collaborative manner
• Provides age appropriate teaching related to diagnosis, identifies patient/family needs and medications using available resources and assuring patient/family understanding by teach back.
• Evaluates for any additional/alternative care needs and patient/family satisfaction

1. Administers medication safely:

• Demonstrates knowledge of drug purpose and effectiveness as related to diagnosis
• Follows 6 rights of medication administration
• Demonstrates appropriate/safe medication handling/administration
• Reassesses and documents effectiveness of medications

1. Evaluates the environment to assure safety and infection control standards are met
2. Evaluates the care provided to assure it is based on practice standards and evidence based practice
3. Evaluates the educational plan and its implementation; assessing for and addressing gaps in care
4. Coordinates work to achieve maximum productivity.   Able to multitask and prioritize workload.  Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in a timely manner
5. Demonstrates reasonable and rational judgment in decision making
6. Other duties assigned by supervising credentialed personnel

Customer Service

1. Displays positive attitude.  Treats others with honesty and respect.  Speaks positively in all customer interactions internal and external.
2. Uses AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, duration, Explanation, Thank you) to:

• Optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety and increasing the patient’s compliance
• Develop positive relationships with other departments to foster patient satisfaction

1. Uses face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to intervene with patients or staff in situations where customer needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable resolution

Staff Development/ Personal Growth

In conjunction with Department Manager.

1. Demonstrates initiative and responsibility to develop personal, leadership and professional goals
2. Demonstrate professional development by attending conferences, participating in committees/unit projects and ongoing educational activities
3. Demonstrates professional growth by maintaining awareness of changes in respiratory practices/evidence based respiratory care
4. Accepts feedback as opportunity for growth

1. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and procedures, practices, changes in practice and initiatives.  Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital education, discussion with departmental leadership and peers.

Performance Improvement

1. Sets goals and works toward becoming a licensed respiratory care practitioner
2. Identifies processes to be improved and communicate to management team.  Assists in data collection as directed
3. Develops and maintain awareness of TJC (The Joint Commission), CMS (Centers for Medicare Services) and other required quality and safety measures

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCY

Dependent upon department and the population served:

Neonatal (Birth thru 28 days)

1. Handles infants in gentle manner
2. Speaks in soothing voice
3. Holds and cuddles infant when necessary

Infant (29 days thru 12 months)

1. Approaches infant in slow, non-threatening way
2. Speaks in soothing way
3. Holds and cuddles infant as much as possible
4. Encourages parental interaction with infant

Pediatrics (one year thru 11 years)

1. Allows choices when possible
2. Speaks directly using few, clear simple terms and explanations

Adolescents (12 years thru 18 years)

1. Allows participation in care and choices as appropriate
2. Provides for patient’s modesty
3. Tells patient exactly what will be expected
4. Allows patient control
5. Speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

1. Identifies physical/social/emotional barriers and physical limitations and treats patient with dignity and respect
2. Teaches patient about one item at a time and speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms
3. Repeats instructions several times
4. Speaks slowly and distinctly when talking to the patient
5. Provides for patient’s modesty
6. Tells patient what will be expected
7. Allows patient control

Unit Specific Requirements: ___________________________________

Sleep Lab Tech Assistant

MAIN FUNCTION:

Performs all aspects of polysomnography including hook-up of portable and in house testing, monitoring of patients, assessment and documentation of abnormalities, sleep staging, MSLT’s and applies CPAP/BiPAP in compliance with the AASM and  under the supervision of an experienced midshift sleep center tech or the sleep center specialist.   

RESPONSIBLE TO:   Sleep Center Specialist 

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• Enrollment or completion of AASM A-STEP Program 

1. 18 months:  eligible to sit for registered polysomnographer exam.  After becoming eligible, the employee will have 18 months to pass the exam in order to maintain employment in this position.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven good patient assessment skills
• Good communication skills with patients and peers
• Ability to learn and retain small details and to learn use of delicate instrumentation 
• Excellent computer skills
• Willingness/ability to learn polysomnography skills
• EKG training or willingness to learn

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Shows competency in EKG recognition, overall patient assessment, ability to learn and interpret values of pulse oximetry and the ability to recognize when emergency assistance is needed
• Maintains competency in identifying and scoring sleep stages, apneas, PLMS, sleep arousals, etc., with a score of >85% accuracy. 
• May be required to take “on call” status