Respiratory Therapist - Outpatient

FDIHB•Fort Defiance, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for an Outpatient Respiratory Therapist. The role involves performing comprehensive patient assessments, administering and monitoring respiratory therapies, operating and troubleshooting respiratory equipment, and assisting with airway management. The therapist will also participate in emergency responses, monitor patient responses to therapy, and provide respiratory care, patient education, and diagnostic testing in outpatient, mobile, and community settings. Key responsibilities include performing diagnostic tests such as arterial blood gas analysis, cardiac and pulmonary function studies, and pulse oximetry. Patient and family education on pulmonary illness, disease management, and home equipment use is crucial. The role also requires ensuring the maintenance, calibration, and safe operation of equipment, complying with various standards and regulations (including HIPAA), and maintaining accurate electronic health records. Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and providers is essential for continuity of care. The therapist will also assist with training new employees and providing continuing education. Administrative duties include managing patient workflow, receiving consults, utilizing computer systems for documentation and reporting, assisting with inventory, and participating in policy development. The position may require working in an inpatient setting during emergencies.

Requirements

Two (2) years of clinical experience in general respiratory care.
Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) Credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Active and unrestricted Respiratory Care Practitioner State License, any U.S. State.
Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, maintain valid certification.
Current American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification, maintain valid certification.
Current American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification, maintain valid certification.
Current American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certification, maintain valid certification.
Applicant must have a valid unrestricted insurable driver's license.
Resume and references are required.

Responsibilities

Performs comprehensive patient assessments to determine appropriate respiratory care interventions.
Administers and monitors respiratory therapies in the clinic or clinical setting, when needed.
Set up, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot respiratory care equipment.
Assist with airway management, including intubation, extubation, suctioning, tracheostomy care, and emergency airway support.
Participates in emergency responses for Code Blue, Rapid Response, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Monitor patient response to therapy, reports changes in patient condition to healthcare team and modifies treatment plans in accordance with physician orders, clinical protocols, and evidence-based guidelines.
Performs respiratory care, patient education and diagnostic testing in the outpatient clinic, mobile unit and community settings.
Performs arterial punctures, analyze blood gas specimens and interpret arterial blood gases.
Obtains and/or induce sputum specimens for clinical laboratory analysis.
Performs, administers and evaluates cardiac diagnostic studies (Electrocardiogram, Exercise Stress Test, Holter Monitor, and Cardiac Event Monitor).
Performs, administers and evaluates pulmonary function diagnostic studies (Spirometry, Lung Volumes, DLCO, and Six Minute Walk Test).
Performs, administers, monitors and evaluates pulse oximetry diagnostic studies and home sleep apnea tests.
Assist with oxygen qualification testing and coordination with durable medical equipment (DME) providers.
Provides education and clinical support to patients and families about pulmonary illness, disease management, medication management, home equipment/supply use, and respiratory therapies.
Assess patient understanding, learning readiness, and health literacy, and adapt education accordingly.
Plan, coordinate, evaluate and participates in community outreach events, health fairs, schools, and community based programs.
Performs maintenance, calibration, assembly, quality control of respiratory therapy equipment, cardiopulmonary diagnostic equipment, pulmonary function diagnostic and blood gas diagnostic equipment.
Ensures proper cleaning, disinfection, maintenance and safe operation of respiratory equipment, completes repair requisition to Healthcare Technology Services for malfunctioning equipment.
Comply with infection control, safety practices, licensing standards, accreditation and regulatory standards (CMS, CAP, and State Licensing Boards).
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA regulations.
Verifies current and appropriate medical provider orders, if necessary contacts supervisor.
Ensure compliance with documentation, coding, and billing requirements related to outpatient services.
Participates fully in quality assurance and performance improvement process and contributes to department goals.
Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and patient rounds.
Consultant to the providers and healthcare team regarding respiratory care practices.
Collaborate with providers, nurses, medical assistants, and clinic staff to support continuity of care.
Maintain and demonstrates competency in required respiratory care skills, respiratory equipment and blood gas laboratory operations.
Participates and completes required department and hospital training.
Assists with training and orientation of new employees.
Provides continuing education to hospital clinical staff on current and new developments in respiratory care.
Manages scheduled patient workflow efficiently.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all patient encounters in the electronic health record.
Receives consults and orders from medical providers related to respiratory care services.
Utilizes computers, printer, scanner, software and other applications to perform front office procedures, perform testing procedures, download/compile equipment data ad develop test reports.
Assists with inventory control, ensures uninterrupted supply of necessary supplies and accessories.
Participates in the development and revision of department protocols, policies and procedures.
Attends department and hospital meetings.
May be required to work in an inpatient setting in times of emergency situations.
Performs other duties as assigned.