Hyperbaric Oxygen Technician

Responsibilities

• Preparing, educating and orienting patients about the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
• Lifting or transferring patients per local policy, getting them ready for treatment administration and answering their questions.
• Administering the hyperbaric oxygen therapy as prescribed by the Hyperbaric Provider to the patient.
• Making appropriate data entries for daily hyperbaric treatments and wound care clinic visits, and keeping complete and accurate patient records.
• Operating and maintaining the hyperbaric chamber(s) and other hyperbaric support oxygen systems as required.
• Participating in the safety program, such as conducting safety drills.
• Is responsible for all the hyperbaric equipment/supply, and for ensuring the safe and effective operation and maintenance of the hyperbaric chamber(s) and related systems and ancillary components.
• Evaluating the equipment and supply used in the chamber(s) to ensure they meet all safety requirements before they are permitted inside the chamber(s).
• Restricting or removing potentially hazardous supply or equipment items.
• Collaborating with Program Director and Crouse Hospital to coordinate and approve all hyperbaric chamber upgrades, modifications, and repairs to the hyperbaric system to ensure they are in compliance with appropriate safety standards.
• Works closely with facility management personnel and department medical personnel to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Works closely with Medical, Program and Nursing senior management to develop and annually revise department policies and procedures, as well as operation and maintenance documents.
• Cover patient registrations when the Patient Navigator is unavailable.
• Leads the hyperbaric safety program activities and initiatives.
• Maintaining a safe environment in the hyperbaric facility for patients and staff and using approved and recognized decompression procedures for all persons with a hyperbaric exposure to inert gases.
• Reviewing all department safety incidents, collecting information regarding equipment/patient safety, reports relevant incidents to the staff, and periodically providing in-service training related to hyperbarics.
• Conducting quarterly safety drills to improve staff responses to emergencies.
• Informing personnel of any special work conditions such as infection prevention, hazard control.
• Aiding the Medical Director in reviewing and documenting safety-related events and discussing appropriate events with others to facilitate learning.
• Maintaining department compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99 (Health Care Facilities Code) with regards to hyperbarics.
• Reviewing, making change recommendations for departmental safety policies, and incorporating new policies as appropriate.
• Serving on the hospital’s safety or environment of care committee, as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Currently licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New York State without restrictions.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required at time of hire or within 2 weeks after hire.
• Current Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) or Certified Hyperbaric Specialist (CHS) certification preferred.
• Pre or post-hire completion of an approved Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Safety course.
• Pre or post hire completion of an approved hyperbaric Medicine Introductory course (from Undersee & Hyperbaric Medical Society, National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology, Department of Defense, or American College of Hyperbaric Medicine).
• Pre or post hire completion of Introductory Hyperbaric Training Course, as approved by the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology, Department of Defense, American College of Hyperbaric Medicine or Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society.
• Two (2) or more years’ experience in healthcare preferred.
• Prior experience in wound or critical care preferred.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.