Under direction, to plan, develop and implement one or more specialized functions within Respiratory Therapy Services involving inservice education coordination for new and existing Respiratory Care Practitioners and other assigned staff; provision of technical expertise in the building, maintenance and enhancement of computerized documentation systems; keeping accurate records to meet JCAHO requirements and other regulations; and performance of direct patient care when necessary.

The Respiratory Care department is currently seeking a qualified applicant to fill a Respiratory Therapy Services Specialist position. The current vacancy is a full-time on-site opportunity, providing educational training to new and existing staff at O’Connor Hospital and St. Louise Regional Hospital.

COVID-19 Risk Tier – Higher Risk.

• Orients and trains new and existing staff and secures staff assistance when required;
  
• Assists with development and/or revision of departmental orientation/training manuals, programs, policies and procedures;
  
• Evaluates departmental training needs and develops inservice and continuing education programs to meet those needs;
  
• Assists with revisions of annual Skills Survey; develops, plans and implements departmental mandated education/training/Skills Days;
  
• Provides education/training or needed materials for education/training to nurses and physicians as it relates to respiratory care;
  
• Evaluates staff and student expertise and communicates evaluations to supervisory staff;
  
• Conducts/arranges inservice training on a group and individual level;
  
• Maintains records of orientation, mandated and other training, inservice and continuing education per existing regulations and JCAHO requirements;
  
• Acts as a liaison and resource for Respiratory Care staff, physicians, nurses, patients, families, insurance company case managers, home care agencies, other divisions and medical facilities, and medical equipment vendor representatives;
  
• May assist physicians in outpatient clinics for rehabilitation patients;
  
• Educates patients in proper care after discharge;
  
• Acts as a clinical instructor for Respiratory Therapy students;
  
• Researches and evaluates new equipment and trains staff in its use; troubleshoots new and existing equipment as needed;
  
• Serves as representative/lecturer on rehabilitative patient care team for presentations at outside hospitals and conferences;
  
• Researches and evaluates new respiratory care equipment and trains staff in its use;
  
• Troubleshoots new and existing equipment as needed;
  
• Ensures the attainment of JCAHO standards when operating and maintaining respiratory care diagnostic and treatment equipment;
  
• Prepares, administers, and evaluates examinations for staff and students;
  
• Provides direct patient care in emergency and urgent situations;
  
• When assigned to NICU/PICU and outpatient services, attends weekly patient conference meetings, family conferences and Interdisciplinary Treatment;
  
• Planning Conferences (ITPC) for Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units (NICU/PICU); participates on SCIPP and High Quad development and improvement programs at SCVMC.
  
  Typical Tasks of Computer Documentation System Specialist
  
• Provides technical expertise in the building, maintenance and enhancement of the computerized patient documentation system;
  
• Designs, builds implements and provides daily support for computerized patient documentation system;
  
• Coordinates and performs system troubleshooting activities;
  
• Analyzes, tracks and implements improvement measures involving application modification or creation within the application;
  
• Ensures the attainment of JCAHO standards when building and editing the computer documentation system;
  
• Coordinates with multiple outside vendors, equipment manufacturers, sales representatives and SCVHHS Information Systems for development and initiation of computerized systems;
  
• Ensures proper and accurate documentation of patient treatment codes of the Respiratory Care Practitioner;
  
• Trains all users in computer documentation system operations in order to maximize user effectiveness and utilization;
  
• Assesses need for and coordinates refresher or update training of staff;
  
• Constructs various databases to assist users and management with data analysis for the production of evaluation/outcome reports;
  
• Maintains knowledge of respiratory care practices and computer systems through ongoing training opportunities;
  
• Performs related duties as required.

Sufficient education, knowledge and experience to demonstrate the possession and application of the knowledge and abilities listed below.

A valid certificate to practice as a Respiratory Care Practitioner issued by the State of California; or eligibility for certification in accordance with California law, subject to successful completion of the next scheduled examination within one year of employment.

Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities are typically acquired through increasingly responsible clinical experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in a critical care setting, including training or experience in developing and presenting educational programs; at least one year of experience installing and maintaining a computerized application in a hospital setting or equivalent education in computer science or a related field will be considered additional qualifying experience for the Computer Documentation System Specialist.

Knowledge of:

• 
  Principles, methods and techniques of administering sustained gases and their effect on the human body;
  
• Anatomy, physiology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and pharmacology pertinent to respiratory care;
  
• Clinical applications of gas, humidity and aerosol therapy, positive pressure breathing treatments, mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, chest physiotherapy;
  
• Teaching methods and practices;
  
• Sterilization, microbiology, and infection control measures;
  
• Use, care, and maintenance of equipment used in respiratory care;
  
• Computer use including Windows, MS Word, Excel, Access and Outlook.
  
  Ability to:
  
• Communicate effectively with hospital staff, patients, families and care providers from varying educational, technical and cultural backgrounds;
  
• Train others in the principles, methods and techniques of respiratory care procedures;
  
• Identify training needs;
  
• Monitor the work performance of others and communicate clearly the departmental expectations for performance;
  
• Apply medical theory to the practice of respiratory care;
  
• Work with a variety of technical and clinical variables;
  
• Write clearly, concisely, and in a language appropriate to organizational needs.