Respiratory Therapist-Cardiac Rehabilitation

Description of Position:

Provide a “snapshot” or the principal purpose or focus of the position, consisting of no more than three to five sentences.  This summary should provide enough information to differentiate the major function and activities of the position from those of other positions.

This program is designed to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary health care services for primarily outpatients.  It is our desire to promote for the cardiac and pulmonary patients and their families a successful readjustment into a lifestyle appropriate for their capabilities.  Our goal is to restore patients to their optimal physical, mental, social, and vocational health.  To accomplish our goal we use a process that includes exercise training, education and counseling regarding risk reduction, lifestyle changes and behavioral interventions.  Patients are provided with a continuum of cardiopulmonary rehabilitative care that begins in the hospital and connects with an outpatient rehabilitation program as well as maintenance exercise program.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

Essential functions are the duties and responsibilities that are essential to the position (not a task list).  Do not include if less than 5% of work time is spent on this duty.  Be specific without giving explicit instructions on how to perform the task.  Do not include duties that are to be performed in the future.  Duties should be action oriented and avoid vague or general statements. 

% of Time

(annually)

Position Accountabilities/Duties:

·         Assesses the needs of needs of patients and families, providing appropriate teaching and making the necessary referrals to provide continuity of care.

·         Develops an individual plan of care using a collaborative approach with the patient/family and health care team.

·         An individualized, graduated exercise program of the proper intensity to elicit improvement in the patient’s cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness without exceeding the safe limits of exercise

·         Promptly completes documentation to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care.

·         Delivers high quality care while demonstrating knowledge and clinical skills of the specialty required on assigned unit in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards of care.

·         Utilizes holistic approach (considering biopsychosocial, spiritual, education, safety, and related criteria) appropriate to the age of the patients and families served in the assigned service area.

·         Delegates and provides direction for other healthcare providers and hold them accountable for their involvement in the plan of care.

·         Utilizes critical thinking in making independent judgements, and maintains responsibility and accountability for the knowledge of conditions of assigned patients.

·         Health education directed toward prevention, management and rehabilitation; coordinated to involve multidisciplinary and community services as appropriate.

·         Help in identification of medical problems and surveillance and monitoring of the effectiveness of their therapeutic regimes for the referring physician.

·         Provision of the equipment necessary to control pain, promote patient comfort and safety and to perform required therapeutic and emergency procedures.

·         Develop and maintain effective communication with physicians.

·         Enhance professional growth and development

·         Provide education on cardiac and pulmonary topics with patients and families during the rehab.

50 %

Development & Education:

·         Continues professional development and involvement in professional activities that enhance practice by sharing knowledge through networking and research.

·         Assess and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient’s and their families’ age specific needs, culture, gender, readiness to learn and level of comprehension.

·         Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education.

·         Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.

·         All unit personnel are specifically educated on the rehabilitative stages following a cardiac event and the rehabilitative process for pulmonary patients.  All staff is specially education in identification and interpretation of EKG rhythm patterns, recognition and treatment of cardiac emergencies and use of computerized monitoring equipment.

·         All personnel have completed BLS and ACLS and are expected to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitative measures as soon as an emergency is recognized.  All cardiopulmonary rehab personnel are required to participate in unit in-services and competency assessments.

·         Ability to manage multiple responsibilities.

40%

Basic UPH Performance Criteria          

·         Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.

·         Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.

·         Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.

·         Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, DIA, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.

·         Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.

·         Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse.  Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff.  Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

10%

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that required of the employee.  Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Demonstration of UPH Values and Standards of Behaviors

Consistently demonstrates UnityPoint Health’s values in the performance of job duties and responsibilities

Foster Unity:

·         Leverage the skills and abilities of each person to enable great teams.

·         Collaborate across departments, facilities, business units and regions.

·         Seek to understand and are open to diverse thoughts and perspectives.

Own The Moment: 

·         Connect with each person treating them with courtesy, compassion, empathy and respect

·         Enthusiastically engage in our work.

·         Accountable for our individual actions and our team performance.

·         Responsible for solving problems regardless of the origin.

Champion Excellence:

·         Commit to the best outcomes and highest quality.

·         Have a relentless focus on exceeding expectations.

·         Believe in sharing our results, learning from our mistakes and celebrating our successes.

Seize Opportunities:

·         Embrace and promote innovation and transformation.

·         Create partnerships that improve care delivery in our communities.

·         Have the courage to challenge the status quo.

Minimum Requirements

Identify items that are minimally required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Preferred or Specialized

Not required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education:

·         Graduate of accredited Respiratory Therapist program

·         Current Iowa Registered Respiratory Therapist

Experience:

Prefer one year of hospital clinical experience or demonstrated clinical efficiency.

Prefer EKG interpretation experience

License(s)/Certification(s):

Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapist

Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtain certification within three (3) months from date of hire.

Must possess and maintain current Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification or obtain certification within three (3) months from date of hire.

Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.

-License obtained after completion of entry-level RRT examination from NBRC.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English.

Multicultural sensitivity.

Microsoft Office-basic computer skills.

Customer/patient focused.

Critical thinking skills using independent judgement in making decisions.

Other:

Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.

Work may occasionally require travel to other UPH facilities. May drive a UPH vehicle, rental or own vehicle.