Responsible for the provision of services for pulmonary rehabilitation in compliance with standards of practice for Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehab. Based on the patient’s individual need, the Respiratory Therapist must guide interventions for improving functional capacity, chronic disease management, and promoting behaviors that lead to maintenance of healthy and social independence. Provides exercise planning, counseling and monitoring to patients as well as required and disease specific education.

1. Follows policies and procedures for the Pulmonary Rehab program and the policies of the DCH Health System.
2. Coordinates consults necessary for program as needed.
3. Provides exercise planning, counseling and monitoring to patients.
4. Scheduling pulmonary rehab sessions as needed.
5. Demonstrates and establishes an atmosphere of excellent customer service.
6. Assists with other department duties as needed.
7. Assists with evaluating and recommending new equipment.
8. Responsible for staying abreast AACVPR best practice.
9. Patient care Procedures include:

1. Oxygen Therapy
2. Aerosol Therapy
3. Hand held nebulizer
4. Metered Dose Inhaler
5. Dry Powder Inhaler
6. Pulmonary Function Testing knowledge
7. Pulmonary Hygiene
8. Respiratory Assist Device/CPAP/BiPAP/AVAPS

1. Perform patient monitoring and assessment including:
1. Vital signs (Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation)
2. Auscultation as appropriate
3. Cardiac Arrhythmia recognition
4. Electrical Cardiograph monitoring and simple interpretation
5. Physical assessment
6. Rated Perceived Exertion (RPE)
7. Rate Perceived Dyspnea (RPD)
8. Other as needed
2. Performs patient education including:
1. Diet/Weight management
2. Exercise
3. Mental Health (anxiety, depression)
4. Smoking cessation
5. Cardiac/Pulmonary Health
6. Controlled breathing
7. Disease specific
8. Energy Conservation
3. Other as needed
4. Promotes benefits of Pulmonary Rehab with local physicians and the community as able.

14. Demonstrate leadership skills
15. Requires decision making that will affect others
16. Responsible to achieve outcomes
17. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately
18. Ability to delegate to team members and students
19. Must be able to receive delegation
20. Address conflict and stressful situation
21. Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion
22. Dealing with unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive personalities
23. Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting
24. Must be able to work in groups
25. Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work
26. Must be meet time pressure and timelines
27. Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions
28. May require wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.
29. Advocate for and participant in patient safety
30. Perform Low Level Disinfection as per manufacturer’s recommendation (IFU)
31. Performs and accurately records technical procedures safely, effectively, efficiently, and within scope of policy
32. Accountability related to meeting/exceeding department goals, DCH Values, DCH Mission and Vision

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

1. Current Alabama Respiratory Therapist licensure.  
2. Active credentials associated with specific area of expertise as follows:  Registered Respiratory Therapist.
3. Three years’ experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
4. Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy required
5. BLS prior to start and ACLS provider within 6 months of starting
6. Membership in appropriate professional organization (i.e. American Association for Respiratory Care, Alabama Society for Respiratory Care) is required.
7. Two years’ experience in exercise planning, supervision and counseling with pulmonary rehabilitation patients preferred
8. Completion of the AARC Pulmonary Disease Educator Course within 6 months of starting  
9. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

 Working Conditions:

Work Context:

Physical:

• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Prolonged standing and walking with exposure to all patient elements.
• Able to kneel, sit, couch or stoop with good balance for extended periods.
• Effective communication and speaking skills.
• Good motor coordination with manual dexterity.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., and have the ability to move heavier objects with assistance on occasion.

Environmental: 

• Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions.  
• Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment, as appropriate. 
• Must have tolerance of a variety of environments and situations. 

Psychological: 

• Includes demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results. 
• Subject to stress and fatigue.