Respiratory Therapist Pulm Rehab

At Wentworth-Douglass, we value people who contribute to patient-centered care that enhances community health; we recognize and reward those who share our values and transform our patients' lives. We invite you to explore opportunities, cultivate community wellness and professional growth.  

The Rehab Services Department has an opportunity for a patient centered Respiratory Therapist to join our multidisciplinary Pulmonary Rehab team.

The Pulmonary Rehab Respiratory therapist will provide care, education, and support to patients during their pulmonary rehab sessions. They will work closely with other team members to develop individualized treatment plans and ensure positive patient outcomes and experience

The ideal candidate will have strong assessment, knowledge and experience in the management of patients with respiratory disease.

. Clinical Performance - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to the
assessment of information
a. Gathers relevant information from medical record, family, and other healthcare providers.
b. Introduces self, confirms patient ID, and verifies exam prior to procedure.
c. Explains treatment to patients
d. Assesses factors that contraindicate procedure i.e.: medications, artifacts, required information, blood
results, written orders.
e. Completes and ensures that staff complete the necessary paperwork for patient tracking and charging.
2. Clinical Performance - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to the
analysis of information
a. Selecting appropriate procedure using cost effective plan after reviewing data, patients abilities, and patient's
condition.
b. Provides diagnostic quality exams using professional judgement and utilizing department standards.
c. Determines the need for accessory equipment to maintain a high level of patient care and comfort.
3. Clinical Performance - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to patient
education / communication.
a. Verifies physician order, verifies written order has been obtained.
b. Provides accurate explanations and instructions at an appropriate time and place at a level of understanding
necessary.
c. May participate as an instructor in teaching basic therapy procedures and respiratory routines to other
hospital staff.
d. Refers questions about diagnosis or treatment to patient's physician.
4. Clinical Performance - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to action
plan.
a. Treats patient using established protocols and guidelines.
b. Utilizes patient cooperation to assist in carrying out action plan.
c. Provides emergency assistance such a CPR
d. Performs and processes arterial blood gases.
e. Setup and manages mechanical ventilators.
f. Performs respiratory diagnostic testing.
g. Assists in reconditioning and maintenance of equipment and ventilation testing.
5. Clinical Performance - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to
documentation.
a. Documents diagnostic, treatment and patient data in the appropriate medical and departmental record.
b. Documentation must be timely, accurate, concise, and complete.
c. Documents any exceptions from established criteria or procedures.
d. Records diagnostic or treatment data using departmental approved forms.
6. Quality Performance Standard - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related
to the environment.
a. Ensures that services are performed in a safe environment.
b. Informs supervisor with equipment problems and tags equipment with the appropriate form to shut down..
c. Assesses equipment to determine acceptable performance.
d. Ensures that protocol and procedure manuals include recommended criteria and are reviewed and revised on
an annual basis.
e. Follows federal and state guidelines to insure job safety.
7. Quality Performance Standard - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related
to equipment analysis.
a. Daily assesses and troubleshoots ABG Lab to ensure proper function per CAP regulation
b. Set up infant and child’s oxygen and vents according to physician’s orders.
c. Sets up and administers therapy as directed using complete range of respiratory equipment.
d. Visits patients regularly to ensure physicians orders are being carried out and equipment is in good working
order.
e. Performs pulmonary testing to include simple spirometry and administers aerosols, etc.
f. Set up and maintains adult volume and pressure ventilators according to physician’s orders.
8. Quality Performance Standard - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related
to communication.
a. Practices open communication to elicit confidence and cooperation from the staff, patient, the public, and
other health care providers.
b. Information is presented at the learner's level of understanding.
c. Educates the public about respiratory procedures and safety.
9. Quality Performance Standard - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related
to action plans.
a. Performs QA based on established protocols. Submits ongoing QA/QC reports within specified timeframes set
by director or manager.
b. Provides evidence of ongoing quality assurance activities.
c. Evaluates quality assurance results and establishes appropriate action plan.
d. Maintains and verifies respiratory equipment is functioning properly.
10. Quality Performance Standard - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related
to documentation.
a. Documents quality assurance activities and results.
b. Provides timely, concise, accurate, and complete documentation per department timeframes.
c. Provides documentation that adheres to current protocol, policy and procedures; including instrumentation
QC
d. Maintains requires charts, records, ect. Records treatments with SOAP note charting.
e. Utilizes computer flow sheets.
11. Professional Performance Standards - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities
related to quality.
a. Teamwork - Works well with others to elevate the quality of care.
b. Participates in quality assurance programs and CPM process.
c. Adheres to accepted standards, policies, and procedures adopted by the profession and regulated by law.
d. Provides the best possible diagnostic study for each patient by applying professional judgement and
discretion.
e. Anticipates and responds to the needs of the patient.
12. Professional Performance Standards - Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities
related to self assessment.
a. Monitors personal work ethics, behaviors, and attitude.
b. Monitors and evaluates orientation guidelines.
c. Recommends improvement in orientation / work environment.
d. Evaluates own performance and recognizes opportunities for improvement.
e. Recognizes his or her strength and uses them to benefit patients, coworkers, and the profession.
f. Performs procedures "only" after receiving appropriate education and training.
g. Recognizes and takes advantage or opportunities for educational growth.
h. Recognizes and takes advantage of opportunities for improvement in technical and problem solving skills.
i. Actively participates in professional organizations.
j. Demonstrates and documents external community involvement.
k. Maintains strong relationships with peers, staff, physicians, agencies and other organizations consistent with
hospital strategic plan.
13. Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to ethics.
a. Technologist provides health care services with respect for dignity and age specific needs.
b. Technologists respects the patients right to privacy and confidentiality.
c. Adheres to established standards of the profession.
d. Participates in team spirit and becomes involved in daily decision making for improvements.
14. Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to knowledge.
a. Proactive mentoring and orientation with new staff members.
b. Actively pursues improving customer service via customer service surveys.
c. Investigates new, innovative methods and applies them in practice.
d. Ensures safe working conditions and takes corrective action as required.
e. Share information with peers, and colleagues through publication, presentation, and department meetings.
f. Offers self to other areas during lull periods.
g. Keeps patient wait times to a minimum by collaborating with clerical staff and manager.
15. Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties specific to pulmonary rehabilitation
a. The independent ability to assess the readiness and willingness of patients to enter the pulmonary
rehabilitation program
b. Develop and maintain a tracking system that will help navigate patients through the various phases of the
program
c. Provide independent one on one care in phase one to include patient teaching and patient coaching as
determined based on the patients initial assessment
d. Work in collaboration with the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation supervisor to develop program quality
initiatives and metrics for program performance
e. Maintain knowledge of all AACVPR guidelines specific to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
f. Interprets diagnostic testing as necessary (ABGs, PFTs and oximetry studies) and documents those in the
patient medical record in a timely manner
g. Maintains adequate visit records in either the patients paper chart or the selected EMR noting progress and
concerns.
h. Assesses patient readiness for Phase 3 Pulmonary Rehabilitation and facilitates the transition to phase 3
i. Work in collaboration with the manager of rehabilitation services and the supervisor of pulmonary
rehabilitation to acquire and maintain accreditation for the pulmonary rehabilitation program.
j. Assists in developing and implementing the patients exercise program in collaboration with other
rehabilitation staff

Experience Minimum Required
Clinical rotations with all age groups in all aspects of respiratory care. Working experience in an acute care setting with at least one age group.
1 year of acute care hospital clinical experience as a practicing RCP
Experience Preferred/Desired
3 years of acute care hospital clinical and diagnostic experience
Education Minimum Required
Graduate of an (accredited American Medical Association/JRCRTE/COARC)Respiratory Education Program.
Education Preferred/Desired
Associated degree from an advanced level education program
Training Minimum Required
Didactic and clinical rotations in acute and critical care.Age specific criteria
Training in at least two age populations
Training Preferred/Desired
Training in multiple age populations
Special Skills Minimum Required
Basic computer skills, Arterial Puncture, Mechanical Ventilation, Critical Thinking Skills, Diagnostic, Assessment
and Therapeutic skills.
Good communication skills, HCP-BCLS
Special Skills Preferred/Desired
RRT with demonstrated acute and critical care skill set.
Advanced assessment, diagnostic and therapeutic skills and ventilator management skills with all age
populations.
Licensure Minimum Required
AHA BLS, NH License, RCP
Licensure Preferred/Desired
ACLS , CPFT, NRP, PALS , RPFT, RRT