Respiratory Registered Nurse

We are searching for a highly motivated, flexible, organized, skilled respiratory therapist who has experience in a rehab center and possesses great communication skills to put the “therapy” into respiratory therapy. This position is within a Skilled Nursing Facility, providing specialized care and treatment to patients with cardio-pulmonary, respiratory conditions, neurological disorders, and physical conditions that manifest into respiratory disorders over an extended period.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient treatments which meet patient needs and uses current treatment knowledge in accordance with facilities clinical procedures, including:
  • Performing accurate, comprehensive patient evaluations.
  • Developing an effective plan of treatment and obtaining appropriate approvals from a referring physician.
  • Communicating with supervisor and interdisciplinary team members regarding patient progress, problems, and treatment plans.
  • Instructing patient’s families and/or nursing staff in specified follow-through programs.
  • Interviewing patients and families regarding previous level of functioning, lifestyle, and current and future expectations for recovery.
  • Demonstrating knowledge of appropriate resources for problem-solving and clinical best practice.
  • Evaluating patients within the required timeframe as per facility policies.
• Provides patient care as appropriate and necessary, following the position description for the applicable clinical discipline in which licensure or certification is held.
• Writes accurate, complete, and clear documentation in accordance with the facility’s regulatory, licensing, payor, and accrediting requirements, including:
  • Recording Screens/Resident Needs Reviews, evaluations, daily treatment notes, discharge summaries, and walking rounds in accordance with facility Policies and Procedures.
  • Recording treatment charges accurately and ensuring that documentation is consistent with billing data.
  • Writing specific, objective documentation that is outcome-oriented and details the patient’s needs, potential to benefit from treatment, and progress achieved to date, including specific, objective measurable goals.
• Consistently demonstrates facility interdisciplinary approach to patient care, including:
  • Integrating findings of other members of the interdisciplinary team in treatment assessment and recommendations.
  • Integrating input from patient and family in treatment assessment and recommendations.
  • Preparing for and providing meaningful contributions to the rehab team conferences, patient care conferences, utilization review meetings, family conferences, and caregiver training sessions.
  • Collaborating with and informing facility staff in areas of patient progress.
  • Educating members of the team in areas of expertise.
  • Working with a facility to teach documentation practices which assist the respiratory therapy team.
  • Communicating effectively with discharge planners.
• Contributes to professional development of self by:
  • Maintaining current professional status and licensure.
  • Adhering to professional standards of conduct and clinical code of ethics and practice.
  • Implementing in-services and training.
  • Maintaining a current body of knowledge in areas of clinical expertise through seminars, professional journals, and peers.
  • Meeting continuing education requirements of regulatory agencies.
• Aids in building and maintaining the facility’s reputation as the unparalleled respiratory therapy provider by:
  • Consistently demonstrating the facility’s core values by interacting with co-workers, patients and families, with all other persons involved with the patient’s care.
  • Consistently demonstrating professional standards as outlined in the facility’s Employee Handbook and as communicated by the facility’s management.
  • Contributing to a positive work team by sharing information, using problem-solving methods, and accepting new ideas, constructive criticism, or advice from others.
  • Maintaining close communications within the facility with the director of nursing, nurse managers, and admissions coordinator to assist in development of the respiratory therapy program.
  • Establishing and maintaining an effective rapport with the facility administrator, MDS, Rehab Director, DON, and medical director.
  • Demonstrating superior customer service through courtesy, consistent follow-up, and positive communication.
• Demonstrates safe working practices, including:
  • Identifying and correcting safety hazards or notifying the facility or the admin so that safety hazards will be immediately remedied.
  • Maintaining work areas in safe and orderly fashion.
  • Maintaining equipment in safe working order by facilitating annual calibration.
  • Using proper body mechanics during treatments of patients and during support activities.
  • Using universal safety precautions.
  • Wearing appropriate protective equipment.

Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the respiratory community.
• Skills applicable to clinical discipline.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of respiratory disease and diseases that affect the respiratory system.
• Ability to use respiratory therapy equipment.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in devising, installing, and interpreting rules, regulations, policies, or procedures.
• Ability to express ideas and information clearly, concisely, verbally, and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors and officials of other departments.
• Program development and implementation.
• Management and administration of therapies as prescribed by a physician and according to standard procedure.

Preferred Skills

• Oxygen weaning therapy
• Omni flow - Biofeedback
• Group respiratory therapy
• Standardized respiratory testing
• Aerosol therapy
• Incentive Spirometry
• Chest physiotherapy
• Deep breathing and coughing
• Bronchial hygiene therapy
• PEP therapy
• OPEP therapy
• Postural Drainage
• Positioning
• Oro/Naso-pharyngeal suctioning
• Airway clearance/management techniques
• Trachea-bronchial suctioning
• Tracheostomy care
• Spirometry Bedside Testing
• CPAP/BIPAP
• High-Flow Oxygen
• Cardiac Program
• Pulmonary Program
• 6-minute walk test
• 2-minute walk test
• Spirometry testing
• Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited program for Respiratory Therapy preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a current license in the state of practice as required.
• Other education and experience may be considered.

Schedule

5 days a week, 37.5 - 40 hours per week.