Respiratory Therapist IV

Job Description:
Registered Therapist IV

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.
The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as (k) and Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you

The night shift varied schedule respiratory therapist is appointed by and administratively responsible to the Director of Respiratory Therapy. The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing respiratory therapy assessments and treatments in compliance with medical staff orders. The Respiratory Therapist is also responsible for obtaining electrocardiograms as ordered by the medical staff. Performs advanced and/or managerial (senior-level) habilitation or therapeutic rehabilitation work. Work involves providing clinical services or administering and directing an assigned program in habilitation or rehabilitation therapy. May plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Renders therapeutic treatment. Schedules ordered procedures in a timely and efficient manner. Performs only those procedures ordered by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. Utilizes appropriate respiratory care techniques to ensure client safety and therapeutic results. Consistently produces electrocardiograms suitable for diagnostic purposes. Performs routine cleaning and maintenance on the department’s equipment. Maintains adequate amounts of supplies needed to perform therapeutic treatments and tests. Performs CPR, to perform Ukeru (once trained), and to conduct Safe Use of Restraint (SUR), the Heimlich maneuver, First Aid, and other emergency procedures as needed. Performs phlebotomy for arterial blood gases. Practices professional respiratory care within the scope of practice as defined by the Texas Department of Health Rules and Regulations Relating to Respiratory Care Practitioner Certification. May oversee the maintenance of progress reports. Develops treatment protocols for specialty areas. Assists in planning and developing in-service training programs. May prepare and submit data for budgets. Will cover nights from 6p-2a, will have an assignment each day, EKG’s, assist with CPR drills, stock the supply closets, make set ups for each week, work 6p-6a or 6a-6p when needed, and performs related work as assigned Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift
schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
1. Use and have a working knowledge of all respiratory equipment. Which are: Airdyne medical air compressor, small medical air compressor for nebulizer treatments, oxygen concentrator, oxygen tank, oxygen tanks, regulators, pulse oximeter, continuous pulse oximeter, night time pulse oximeter, suction machine, home CPAP machine, home BIPAP machine, Bird Mark 7, EZ-PAP therapy, Oxygen devices, Ambu-bag, AED, LP-10 ventilator, PLV- Ventilator, Achieva PSO2 ventilator, Trilogy ventilator, BIPAP vision, BIPAP focus, The vest ,The MetaNEb, Marquette Electrocardiogram machine , Oxygen analyzer, Cuff-a-lator, Spirometer, handheld Percussor/vibrator, Stethoscope, and Shiley Tracheostomy tubes.
2. Provides emergency, acute respiratory interventions & management of critical incidents for individuals served.
3. On-going respiratory interventions. Completes respiratory evaluation and intervention for assigned residents utilizing the respiratory process to assure that health needs of the resident are met. (40%) Completes medication administration to ensure that residents receive physician-ordered respiratory treatments.
4. Vital Signs - Completes vital signs and monitors the condition of the resident prior to administering medication when indicated.
5. Completes specimen collection tasks to ensure timely collection of specimens as ordered by the physician(s) and/or as required.
6. Provides instructions to others to promote optimal health care and best health possible for individuals served.
7. Rights, choices, respect & dignity: Assists people to have choices in services, treats people with respect and dignity and helps individuals to exercise his/her rights.
8. Health & Safety: Helps people maintain optimal health and provides a safe environment for self, persons served and others.
9. Environmental & residence appearance: Helps maintain a clean working and living environment including home, work areas, vehicles, personal possessions and assistive devices and ensures everything is in proper working order.
10. Documentation: Accurate and timely completion of documentation that protects confidential information.
11. Licensure – Maintains current license to practice Respiratory Care in the State of Texas. (On-going)
12. Dependability – Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
13. Decision-making – Uses a mix of analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment to make sound decisions while considering all possible options and the pros and cons of each option.
14. Flexibility and adaptability – Effectively handles multiple responsibilities.
15. Communication and interpersonal skills – Demonstrates clear, concise, effective verbal and written communication skills.
16. Professionalism – Maintaining harmonious interpersonal relationships with other facility staff and the individuals served to promote an effective and efficient service delivery system. Requires adherence to the scope of practice as defined by the Texas Department of Health Rules and Regulations, Relating to Respiratory Care Practitioner Certification, along with the American Association Respiratory Care Code of Ethics. Cooperation when reassigned to a different work location.
17. Leadership – Leads others by performing all tasks as required by established standards and procedures and as needed.
18. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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. Knowledge Skills Abilities:
1. Knowledge of program regulations and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnoses, procedures, and accepted medical treatment programs; of community health and respiratory care principles, practices, and procedures.
2. Ability to provide patient care; to prepare and maintain records; to prepare and administer medications and treatments according to facility policy.

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