Respiratory Therapist

Department of Public Safety•Denton, TX

37d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. The Respiratory Care Practitioner II, Respiratory Therapist, performs highly complex (senior level) respiratory therapy work tailored to the complex medical needs of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) residing at the State Supported Living Center. Oversees and coordinates the scheduling of respiratory care activities, treatments and equipment with internal and externals providers. Conducts respiratory therapy assessments, diagnostics and specimen collection as ordered by the physician and within the scope of licensure and expertise. Communicates and documents results. Performs respiratory treatments tailored to the complex medical needs of individuals with IDD, exercising independent clinical judgment in evaluating respiratory status and determining appropriate interventions within scope of practice. Consults with physicians, monitors, reports and documents patients’ response to therapy. Provides clinical leadership for respiratory therapy services and serves as the primary subject matter expert for respiratory care across the SSLC, providing education and training to various staff, individuals and Legally Authorized Representatives (LARS). Provides mentorship and technical guidance to Respiratory Care Practitioner I staff and other clinical personnel, as assigned by the supervisor. Manages and monitors respiratory therapy equipment, maintains adequate supplies, performs routine cleaning and maintenance and coordinates advanced repairs. Collaborates with others, attends Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meetings, makes recommendations and participates in quality assurance and improvement activities. Develops, implements, and maintains respiratory therapy policies and procedures, and ensures compliance with regulations. Participates in emergency resuscitation efforts, assists in the management of critical incidents, and assists with emergency response activities. Works under limited supervision of a physician, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Must be certified as a respiratory care practitioner by the State of Texas Medical Board.
Associates of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy degree is required.
Experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner is required.

Nice To Haves

Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care is preferred.
Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) is preferred.
One (1) year of experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner is preferred.
Experience treating people with Intellectually and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversees and coordinates the scheduling of respiratory care activities, treatments and equipment use for assigned residents, including oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, chest physiotherapy (CPT), suctioning, tracheostomy care and changes, CPAP/BiPAP therapy and ventilator.
Schedules ordered procedures in a timely and efficient manner.
Coordinates services with durable medical equipment (DME) providers, hospice care teams, and Medicare suppliers to ensure continuity and timeliness of care, as needed.
Conducts respiratory therapy assessments. Reviews documentation, results of diagnostic testing, and current symptoms.
Completes vital signs, assessing airway, breathing and circulation, measures pulse oximetry, inspects the individuals for distress indicators, evaluates for pain, and listens to lung sounds.
Coordinates and performs electrocardiograms including scheduling, execution, and notification of physicians regarding results.
Performs arterial puncture for arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis within scope of licensure and facility protocols.
Completes specimen collection tasks to ensure timely collection of specimens as ordered by the physician(s) and/or as required.
Documents results in the electronic health care record and communicates orally as needed.
Implement consistent treatment protocols as directed by physician orders to improve or maintain the individual’s respiratory health risk status or respiratory level of function.
Performs respiratory treatments tailored to the complex medical needs of IDD and in compliance with orders from a Physician or Nurse Practitioner.
Exercises independent clinical judgment in evaluating respiratory status and determining appropriate interventions within scope of practice.
Initiates and conducts therapeutic procedures, including the application of oxygen and compressed air.
Provides pressure breathing treatments using ventilators and various oxygen and aerosol devices and administers oxygen and ultrasonic mists as ordered.
Performs respiratory physiotherapy techniques, including postural drainage and percussion.
Assists in the development and revision of respiratory treatment protocols in collaboration with physicians and advanced practice providers.
Consults with physicians, nursing staff, and other medical staff to monitor and report the individual’s condition, status, progress and responses as related to current treatment procedures.
Monitors patients’ responses to therapy by reviewing vital signs and measuring and analyzing arterial blood gases and blood chemistry changes.
Interprets breathing sounds and applies endotracheal suction.
Monitors the condition of the resident prior to administering medication when indicated.
Completes required documentation in the electronic health record and prepares daily clinical reports as required.
Provides clinical leadership for respiratory therapy services and serves as the primary subject matter expert for respiratory care across the SSLC.
Provides mentorship and technical guidance to Respiratory Care Practitioner I staff and other clinical personnel, as assigned by the supervisor.
Serves as the education and training specialist for respiratory therapy services.
Conducts comprehensive training for new hires, including nurses and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), on respiratory care practices and equipment usage.
Educates staff on recognizing and responding to respiratory distress.
Trains licensed professions in the use of medical equipment.
Provides instruction on the proper use, care, and maintenance of respiratory equipment, including oxygen tanks and concentrators, suction machines, air compressors, CPAP/BiPAP/ventilator units, and nebulizers to those authorized to operate the equipment.
Performs annual competency assessments for nursing staff related to respiratory therapy procedures and equipment.
Provides technical assistance in artificial ventilation and tracheostomy care and in conducting pulmonary function tests.
Monitors staff performance to ensure knowledge and skill for quality-of-care purposes and to ensure that others are able to demonstrate the skill they are expected to perform.
When applicable, such as for off-campus visits and transitions, performs competency-based training for legally authorized representatives (LARs) on respiratory care practices such as abdominal breathing exercises and breathing techniques, and using cleaning equipment to prevent infections.
Provides instruction to individuals on abdominal breathing exercises and breathing techniques in accordance with their skills and abilities.
Manages and monitors respiratory therapy equipment, including setup, adjustment, troubleshooting, and coordination of annual preventive maintenance inspections with biomedical contractors.
Orders, tracks, and maintains adequate inventory of respiratory medications, oxygen, and supplies to meet resident care needs.
Creates and approves purchase orders related to respiratory therapy equipment and supplies, ensuring fiscal responsibility and uninterrupted service delivery.
Maintains adequate amounts of supplies needed to perform therapeutic treatments and tests.
Performs routine cleaning and basic maintenance of department equipment to prevent infection and ensure proper function.
Coordinates advanced repairs and preventive maintenance with Biomedical Services.
Assists physicians, registered therapists, nursing staff and other medical professionals in the assessment and updates of respiratory conditions of individuals.
Collaborates closely with physicians, nursing staff, case management, and pharmacy teams to determine appropriate respiratory care plans and treatment interventions.
Attends Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meetings for specific individuals receiving respiratory care therapy.
Acts as the primary information source for reporting respiratory condition and therapeutic progress to the IDT.
Makes recommendations regarding optimal respiratory treatment schedule, required rest periods between activities, meals and treatments and any necessary respiratory exercises to assist with overall lung health.
Develops, implements, and maintains respiratory therapy policies and procedures in alignment with regulatory requirements and clinical standards.
Ensures ongoing compliance with applicable state, federal, and organizational regulations governing respiratory care services.
Participates in quality assurance and improvement activities.
Analyzes respiratory care outcome data to identify trends, recommend system improvements, and mitigate clinical risk.
Monitors individual respiratory treatment programs and collects data to ensure consistency and efficacy of the treatment program.
Monitors staff performance to ensure knowledge and skill in respiratory care for quality assurance purposes.
Assists in developing and implementing in-service training programs to address deficiencies and improve quality.
Participates in emergency resuscitation efforts within scope of licensure and training.
Assists in the management of critical incidents for individuals served.
Assists with emergency response activities, including organizing and participating in mock codes, performing emergency resuscitations, and, when needed, assisting the safety officer or other assigned staff in maintaining AEDs and emergency carts throughout the facility.
Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.