The incumbent will actively participate in educational activities directed at the patient and his/her respiratory problems in the home setting. The incumbent will be knowledgeable in and deliver when necessary, nebulized medication for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; this can include the use of IPPB ventilators, but simple (e.g. acorn type) nebulizer are equally effective. The incumbent will also be knowledgeable in the indications, contraindications, therapeutic benefits and use of such other related treatment modalities as PAP therapy and incentive spirometers. While administering therapy, the incumbent will strive to continuously instruct both the patient and his/her family in the proper technique of trachea-bronchial toilet in the home including breathing retraining, coughing techniques, and necessary equipment maintenance and decontamination as indicated, or as may be ordered by the physician. The incumbent will install, monitor and maintain continuous ventilation devices on critically ill patient when indicated. (Volume ventilators of at least four types: Puritan Bennett, Respironics, Newport and Viasys).  the incumbent will assure that the other patient care personnel having close contact with this equipment are thoroughly aware of the problems one may expect to encounter relative to its use and the effects it has up the patient. As an immediate step toward the removal of inspissated secretions, the incumbent will institute postural drainage and chest physiotherapy as indicated and when specifically ordered.  In conjunction with aseptic trachea-bronchial aspiration, as quickly as is practicable after initiation of the mechanical ventilation, and will continue this modality as needed until the function is assumed by the chest physiotherapist and other health care providers. Specific parameters on volume ventilators will be charted at least q4h by the therapist. Except in emergencies, these ventilator settings will not be altered, other than by physician order.

The incumbent will, in conjunction with treatment rounds, routinely perform relative simple pulmonary function screening studies particularly on the more acutely ill patients. These will consist of tidal volume, minute ventilation, inspiratory and expiratory pressures and the measurement of effective compliance. The incumbent will initiate and maintain complete records on each patient the incumbent treats. Recognizing that equipment used in the care of respiratory disease patients is the prime vector for many serious nosocomial infections, it is important that the incumbent is aware of the necessity and actively participates in a program of infection control. In conjunction with SPD personnel, the incumbent will ensure that all equipment is scrupulously clean and that all tubing, nebulizers and other appliance that maintain a close interface with the patient’s airway is washed thoroughly and appropriately decontaminated and/or sterilized. The incumbent will assist in bacterial surveillance on an ongoing basis, recommending changes in technique as they become apparent to minimize the inoculation of patients with untoward infection. The incumbent will be knowledgeable in the equipment and procedures unique to the Pulmonary Respiratory treatment room. The incumbent will assist in such procedures as bronchoscopies and thoracenteses, and will collect sputum samples, utilizing the various techniques to induce coughing, mobilize secretions, and affect trachea-bronchial toilet as necessary.

Work schedule: Part Time – Various Tours of Duty to include rotating weekends and holidays.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status: Non-exempt.

Supervisory Position: No.

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Recruitment Expenses: Not authorized