Respiratory Therapist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for performing home care directed services with patients and

families, including the most complex chronic pulmonary impaired patient, family and home health care

provider. Education of patient, family, and home health care providers on equipment and patient care

management is an integral part of this position. This position will provide support and care with oxygen,

CPAP/BiPAP/RAD, pulse oximeter, cough assist, suction, and ventilator patients.

This position is responsible for the interpretation of federal and state legislation, regulations, policies,

and procedures which impact the department services. New products lines, HCPCS, and

reimbursements will be researched by this person. This position works with a large degree of

independence, under the general supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Supervisor.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Licenses: Must be licensed as an RCP in the State of Wisconsin.

CPR Certification required.

CRT or RRT Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care.

Education: Graduate of COARC Accredited School of Respiratory Therapy required.

Experience: Three years of experience as a staff respiratory therapist, recent adult clinic experience or recent experience with coordination of respiratory durable medical equipment for the home required.

Must have knowledge of and ability to use computers including a variety of computer programs including database management, spreadsheets, word processing.

Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and Third-party payer regulations required.

Miscellaneous: Effective oral and written communications skills and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information essential.

Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, management, and internal and external customers.

Effective time management and organizational skills and the ability to be self-directed in accomplishing the coordination and decision-making responsibilities of this position and be resourceful in problem solving required.

Must have demonstrated leadership skills.

TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

· Interfaces with inpatient respiratory therapy and nursing departments in the development of

discharge directed planning for respiratory home care patients.

· Assess respiratory patient’s needs and progress.

· Develops and provides patient and family education in the areas of respiratory home equipment

and therapeutic interventions for home care.

· Assesses needs of patient and the best choice of equipment to meet those needs.

· Instruct patients and caregivers on proper use and care of equipment.

· Triage’s incoming calls for proper handling.

· Troubleshoots respiratory equipment issues over the phone in an effort to best serve our patients

and eliminate unnecessary exchanges/deliveries of equipment.

· Communicate with patients, caregivers, and physicians changes in conditions and/or needs.

· Performs pulmonary assessments and formulates recommendations to the physician, based on the

established criteria for referred patients with chronic pulmonary disease.

· Provides long-term follow-up of patients who are involved in complex respiratory equipment.

· Follows up with ventilator dependent patients on quarterly basis.

· Promotes teamwork through maintaining effective communication with appropriate staff.

· Attends department meetings and in-services.

· Conducts, participates in, and attends educational meetings and seminars for healthcare workers,

families, and caregivers.

· Provides respiratory care expertise to the Company and acts as vendor to all patients requiring

respiratory equipment and supplies in the home setting.

· Provides teaching and follow-up with nasal PAP/RAD programs.

· Reviews importance of compliance with patients and encourages them to wear PAP/RAD devices.

· Arranges necessary referrals for traveling patients.

· Stays current on new respiratory products and supplies.

· Assumes full responsibility for their own actions, professional skills, and attitudes.

· Supports organization by being loyal, informs manager of areas of concern.

· Participates in an on-call schedule for all home care services.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

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