About this role
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in the ambulatory practices functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. The RRT may be cross-trained in both pulmonary function testing and CPAP services.
- Budget Responsibility: Assists management with maintaining par inventory levels in a fiscally responsible manner.
- Authority/Decision Making: Takes appropriate clinical actions using available resources to achieve positive outcomes for patients, visitors and staff. Independently prioritizes daily tasks and assignments. Identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement in order to ensure patient safety and quality outcomes. Response to urgent and unplanned situations appropriately.
- Problem Solving: Capable of making decisions to ensure patient safety and promote quality patient care.
- Information Management: Utilizes computer systems as required.
- Administrative: Documents all communications with patients per EPIC standards. Collaborates with team, checks and responds to email and pools daily. Assists with scheduling of appointments. Reviews faxes and responds to requests for information from insurance companies, durable medical equipment companies and medical practices.
- Clinical Functions: Adheres to infection control and hand hygiene guidelines. Recognizes and adheres to National Patient Safety Goals and AMG safety policies. Reports safety concerns promptly via Origami system. Contributes to team and practice site operations by covering co-workers and providers during training, meetings, and lunch and/or as needed. Document assessment and interventions in EMR. Identify learning needs of patients and families, educating by adapting to their learning style and utilizing teach-back method. Provides care that is safe, ethical, patient-family centered, culturally congruent and evidence-based. Skills which may be required to be performed include but not limited to:
- Perform spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity using Carefusion/Vyntus systems.
- Equipment calibration and set up
- Exercise/oxygen titration testing
- EPIC System proficiency including scheduling, linking order, messages
- Triage patient calls as they pertain to PFT/CPAP
- Perform routine mask fitting for practice patients.
- Per physician orders set up patients with appropriate CPAP/BIPAP equipment
- Process orders, route calls to appropriate resources, and follow up on patient calls
- Verify insurance for patient eligibility and coverage
- Navigate multiple systems to obtain applicable documentation (CPAP orders/sleep studies)
- Participate in quality management and performance improvement activities
- Maintain clinical competencies
- Serve as mentor and resource to others
- Work independently within the scope of practice to achieve clinical outcomes
- Communications: Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; appropriate telephone etiquette, knowledge of how to assist patients in a timely manner with concerns and/or complaints. Handles patients request for medical information, records, test results, etc. Communicates with insurance companies and pharmacies as needed.
- Professional and Organization Development: Participates, constructively, in departmental and committee meetings and shares ideas and best practices for improving operational and clinical workflow. Completes all required training prior to due date and attends at least one professional development activity each year. Participates in employee engagement activities and patient satisfaction improvement efforts. Maintain a level of professional development through continuing education, quality improvement and sharing of knowledge.
Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy.
- Active state licensure New Jersey.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Relevant Expereince:
- Previous experience in performing Pulmonary Function Testing is preferred.