Director of Respiratory Therapy

Plantation Nursing and Rehabilitation Center•Plantation, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Respiratory Therapy is responsible for coordinating all respiratory care in the pediatric facility. This includes, but is not limited to: orientation and training of all respiratory staff in the facility, clinical assessments, marketing, adherence to budget, and meeting state licensure requirements. Assists, as necessary, the respiratory department in case management. Acts as clinical liaison and formulates relationships with hospitals, insurance companies, other major referral sources, staff, and family. Responsible for direct care, equipment management and other respiratory related duties relevant to delivery of quality care in a safe environment according to the interdisciplinary care plan approach.

Requirements

Current State of Florida licensure and RRT credentials
Acute care and/or long term care pediatric and/or geriatric experience
CPR Certification/PALS Certification for pediatrics
Proficient in airway and ventilator management for children and/or adults
Ability to communicate effectively
Ability to work with others as a team
Must be able to function independently
Must demonstrate good judgment, tact, and patience with others
Minimal three years’ experience in acute care and/or rehab setting.
Minimal three years’ experience in a supervisory capacity in a health care setting.
Knowledge of the federal, state and local regulations that affect respiratory care delivery.
Ability to manage people and work effectively with all persons and disciplines.
Must be of good moral character and have sincere desire to work with residents, staff, visitors, insurance personnel and family members.
Successful performance of essential functions can best be achieved through consistent application of current knowledge, use of good judgment, commonsense, ability to establish and carry out priorities, effective use of interpersonal skills and ongoing communication with residents, staff, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other coworkers.
This job cannot be performed without exposure to the stresses associated with an intimate, 24-hour resident care environment that delivers care and services primarily to disabled and cognitively impaired residents of varying ages, predominantly the pediatric population.
Essential functions are carried out in a variety of positions, including standing and sitting.
To meet residents’ needs, virtually all positions require the ability to move freely through the building.
Stooping, bending, lifting, and carrying, as well as other physical demands may be required as described in the Essential Demands of this position.
Mobility – To move freely throughout the facility
Lifting – Frequent; up to 20 lbs. may be required
Climbing/Balancing – Only to access stored items, minimal need
Stooping/Bending – Frequently required, along with kneeling, crouching and crawling
Pushing – Occasional requirement
Standing/Sitting – Frequent movement needed
Reaching – Grasping, fine motor coordination essential
Able to evaluate and interpret information and make independent decisions
Hearing/Speaking/Vision/Color Vision – Needed for communication skills between staff, residents, and visitors
Able to stay calm under stress
Inside/Outside – In traveling between locations, no extremes beyond routine weather changes
Cold/Heat – No extremes
Wet/Humidity – No extremes other than precipitation
Noise/Vibration – No extremes
Dry/Dust – No extremes as in a health care environment
Fumes/Odors/Chemical Exposure – Applicable to this position
The category listing for occupational exposure for this particular position is CATEGORY ONE. This position includes tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues to which universal precautions apply.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in long term care preferred

Responsibilities

Responsible for initial orientation of all new staff to the department/facility and policies and procedures of the department.
Gives input to the Administrator on goals and objectives for the department and implements activities to accomplish them.
Exhibits characteristics of tact, organizational skills and good interpersonal communication in conferences and basic areas of administration, physical care, clinical education and supervision.
Acts as a clinical instructor when necessary.
Encourages continued education for all staff, ensuring each staff member gives at least one in-service for facility each year.
Ensures staff attends all mandatory in-services.
Provides appropriate supervision of delegated functions for members of the respiratory team while ensuring that treatment plans are carried out in a safe and effective manner.
Provides on-site evaluations incorporating contact with Social Service Department; review of the client’s medical record, client visit, and other professional contacts as appropriate.
Provides coordination of admission of residents requiring skilled respiratory services.
Assesses individual’s health needs by reviewing past history, current status and treatment plan.
Counsels resident and/or family concerning available services and suitability of resident’s admission.
Coordinates the respiratory requirements of each patient admitted to the facility and implementation of the plan of care.
Utilizes cost effective management strategies.
Monitors and evaluates services and outcomes through resident surveys, chart audits, defines outcome studies.
Assures completion of required quality assurance and program evaluation activities and resulting management reports.
Advocate for the resident.
Respects and maintains confidentiality of all resident records and uses complete discretion when discussing resident information.
Liaison between the respiratory department, facility departments, referral sources, community and insurance carriers.
Schedules staff to meet the needs of the department within guidelines of corporate budget.
Makes recommendations for purchase of equipment, supplies, forms, etc., and submits appropriate paperwork for approval.
Maintains sufficient inventory of respiratory supplies at all times to meet day-to-day needs of pediatric residents.
Participates in the development of departmental budgets, monitors and adheres to budget constraints.
Assures compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
Provides ongoing consultation regarding changes in Federal and State requirements related to documentation, billing and payor source utilization.
Attends continuing education courses to maintain skill level.
Complete required personnel functions: interviewing, reference checking, personnel file maintenance, evaluations and other personnel actions.
Provides a program for orientation of new staff.
Monitors respiratory staff’s skills, performance and documentation.
Completes biweekly payroll in an accurate and timely manner.
Maintains appropriate billing documentation, labor logs, equipment and supply inventory.
Completes all required paperwork within appropriate timeframe.
Respects the confidentiality of all resident records and uses discretion when discussing resident information.
Carries out all responsibilities according to the policies and procedures of the facility and within the scope of practice of individual licensure, under the direction of the Pediatric Facility Administrator.
Utilizes knowledge and skills to assess and manage the resident’s respiratory status, including but not limited to: a. Physical assessment and interpretation-auscultation, performing diagnostic studies (ABG, CBG, etc.), sputum specimens, monitoring, and interpretation of SaO2, pCO2, blood gas values, and other diagnostics, assist with procedures, assess resident response to interventions and determine appropriate course of action. b. Airway management – care of artificial airway and cuff, suctioning, positioning, medication administration, humidification, and aspiration precautions. c. Ventilation management – monitor, assess work of breathing, monitor and assess lab values and results of other diagnostic tools, oxygen and medication administration, COPT, postural drainage, monitor and assess resident response to interventions.
Responds to and manages alarms, respiratory distress and arrest situations quickly and calmly.
Works as a team with the nurse to meet the resident’s respiratory needs by: a. Giving routine shift reports b. Reporting significant events, changes in condition, and question of injury, problems or concerns, etc. c. Discussing resident’s response to interventions, course of action and physician notification d. Consult with physician and take physician’s orders as needed after consulting with nurse e. Coordinating respiratory schedule with other disciplines when possible
Demonstrates interdisciplinary team efforts to meet the resident’s needs by: a. Being knowledgeable and supportive of team goals on an ongoing basis b. Keeping the resident clean and dry; meeting hygiene needs, trach care, etc., as needed c. Assisting with turning, positioning, lifting and transfers d. Taking part in managing respiratory needs during activities, field trips, and appointments
Develops, reviews, and updates, in a timely manner, the respiratory section of the individual care plan for each resident in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team per facility requirements.
Attends care plan and other meetings as needed.
Takes part in pre-admission assessment as needed.
Is knowledgeable and compliant with state regulations and resident rights on an ongoing, daily basis.
Maintains accurate, concise, and up-to-date documentation.
Provides and/or takes part in family or education and teaching needs when indicated.
Promotes a safe and orderly environment and reports potential problems.
Manages all durable and non-durable respiratory equipment in the facility according to accepted industry standards for safety and infection control.
Maintain “go” bags.
Takes part in preparation for planning and delivery care for residents during power outages and disasters.
The Manager on Duty will do facility rounds, checking each department and getting reports from the nursing supervisors. Duties will include, but are not limited to, facility tours for prospective admissions, assisting with resolution of resident concerns and overall facility operations.
Performs any other tasks or duties as assigned.