Respiratory Therapist--Diagnostic

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

7/1/2022

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

520019

Job Title:

Respiratory Therapist--Diagnostic

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic provides diagnostic testing, education, treatment, and respiratory services for patients and families in a variety of care settings across UW Health (such as the Pulmonary Function Labs, outpatient clinic areas and inpatient floors.  This position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work with the inter-disciplinary team to ensure high quality patient care.

The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic performs routine testing (such as spirometry, lung volumes and diffusion) on inpatients and outpatients (pediatrics to geriatrics) as well as research subjects.  As experience and proficiency develops, the Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic will be expected to learn and perform advanced testing procedures, monitor and implement changes in care or practice, and recommend methods to improve service quality.

The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic must effectively communicate with patients to elicit appropriate responses in order to derive meaningful cardiopulmonary data. The clinician regularly incorporates multiple problem-solving strategies to obtain and report reliable patient data and collaborates with physicians to assure optimal and cost-effective medical treatment strategies are determined.

The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic works closely with all members of the patient care team including patients, families, physicians and durable medical equipment (DME) providers.  The Respiratory Therapist - Diagnostic possesses a high degree of knowledge regarding disease management and guidelines, managed care, federal reimbursement regulations, and DME for the home. The clinician acts as a resource to health care professionals and DME providers ensuring orders are concurrent with policies and procedures. The clinician participates in direct patient care and offers clinical expertise in assessment, recommendations, and implementation of care plans/equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Performs at a high degree of skill in providing direct patient and family care

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Performs various testing, such as spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, respiratory muscle forces and impulse oscillometry

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Calibrates, sets up, and troubleshoots equipment

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Performs arterial punctures

•

Performs exhaled breath testing (FeNO, BH2)

•

Performs HAST and Shunt studies

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Performs bronchoprovocation studies

•

Assists with Cardiopulmonary Exercise testing

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Maintains knowledge of home respiratory equipment and new therapies

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Ensures care is family centered, demonstrating excellent bedside manner

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Provides accurate documentation and billing in the electronic health record

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Performs pulmonary assessments and diagnostic respiratory services to formulate recommendations providers and nursing staff regarding patient care

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Educates patient and family about existing health problems and related therapies, diagnostic tests, oxygen therapy and home equipment

•

Provides aerosolized medication, volume expansion, airway clearance techniques, tracheostomy cares and sputum inductions to patients in the clinic setting

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Evaluates ventilatory support and adjusts setting under a physician’s order

•

Downloads diagnostic data with entry into the electronic health record

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Interprets selective laboratory/diagnostic tests

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Evaluates response to bronchodilators

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Provides clinical consultation on respiratory therapy interventions and treatments

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Responds to all requests appropriately, accurately, and in a timely manner

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Interacts with ordering provider in a timely, positive manner to resolve issues

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Seeks appropriate disciplines/departments as required to expedite care

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Reviews patient’s record to determine health status and potential respiratory interventions needed

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Identifies patient/family education needs, ensuring patient/family members have adequate information to participate in care planning and are given choices in the process

•

Initiates and maintains communication and collaboration with physicians, care team leaders, staff nurses, other care giving disciplines and patients/families to develop, implement, and evaluate a plan of care for each patient

•

Coordinates respiratory care treatments and procedures to be provided in the patient’s home and follow up with the patient as needed

•

Provides patient and family education and counseling about existing health problems and related therapies/equipment

•

Utilizes financial and insurance resources of the patients to maximize the health care benefit to the patient

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

(Select all that apply)

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Graduate of a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredited School for Respiratory Care

Required

Completion of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) education course

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree

in Respiratory Therapy

Preferred

Experience performing spirometry

Required

Experience performing pulmonary function testing beyond spirometry

Preferred

Licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) in the State of Wisconsin

Upon Hire

Required

BLS/CPR Certified

Upon Hire

Required

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Upon Hire

Required

Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT)

within 1 Year

Required

Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)

within 2 Yrs

Required

ACLS Certified

Preferred

National Asthma Educator certification

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Thorough understanding of the latest ATS/ERS guidelines

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Ability to effectively educate others

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Ability to perform advanced Respiratory Therapy procedures independently

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Ability to troubleshoot and possesses effective problem-solving skills

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Extensive knowledge of home respiratory equipment

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Knowledge of RAD guidelines and Medicare regulations

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Knowledge of current disease management guidelines

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Excellent verbal and written skills

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Effective time management and organizational skills

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Ability to work in a team environment and collaborate with a variety of professionals and home care companies

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Ability to display leadership and professionalism

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Ability to interpret selective laboratory and diagnostic tests

•

Ability to collaborate with all members of the healthcare team and external customers

•

Demonstrates ability for complex clinical decision making

•

Ability to collaborate with all members of the healthcare team and external customers

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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Sedentary: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, ledgers and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one, which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☒

Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Ability to lift up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Ability to lift over 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.