Description

COPD Navigator - Respiratory Therapy

Full Time 36 hours - 9 hour shifts

Monday - Friday, 4 Days per Week, 7:30am to 5:00 pm. Occasional nights and/or weekends as necessary.

The Respiratory Therapy COPD Navigator (RTCN) provides comprehensive education and support to patients diagnosed with

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and their families and care partners. The goal is to decrease the readmission rate

for COPD. The RTCN will act as a liaison to providers, including the Pulmonary Practice, and discharge planners to ensure proper

length of stay and a safe discharge. The RTCN will also be responsible to educate the patient, family, care partners, staff and other

stakeholders about lung diseases and their treatment options. Reports directly to the Manager of Respiratory Services and

Neurophysiology or their designee.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities and Duties of the RTCN include (but are not limited to):

1.Monitors the COPD/Sepsis Daily report to identify patients admitted with COPD exacerbations to Danbury or New Milford

Hospitals. 5%

2.Reviews patient charts and assesses patient to help determine if care plan is appropriate and adjusts as necessary based upon

sound clinical judgement and accepted practice. 10%

3.Regularly monitors patient response to specific treatment modalities based on clinical progression, pulmonary analytics and

diagnosis, clinical symptoms, chart review and patient assessment. Notifies the pulmonologist and/or attending physician of

patients who demonstrate unusual or adverse responses to medication or therapy. Notifies pulmonologist or attending physician of

non-compliance and other concerns with the patient’s care or discharge plan. Coordinates with the Healthcare Team for care and

discharge planning to ensure a safe discharge while minimizing length-of-stay 20%

4.Uses diagnostic studies such as COPD GOLD staging and PFT results to characterize impairment in the cardio-pulmonary system

of patients. 5%

5.Performs, coordinates, schedules, and/or provides relevant education to patients with COPD and other pulmonary diseases or

conditions. Education will also include families and care partners and healthcare team members. Addresses patient, family, or care

partner concerns in a timely manner. 25%

6.Documents thoroughly and appropriately in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) per established protocol and guidelines. Writes a

daily progress note with detailed information while the patient is admitted to the hospital.10%

7.Makes follow-up phone calls post-discharge to answer questions, ensure adherence to home treatment regimen and makes

appropriate referrals to help minimize chances of readmission to the hospital.5%

8.Collaborates with the Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Pulmonary Function Teams and makes appropriate referrals to each. 5%

9.Actively participates in appropriate hospital and system committees as assigned.10%

10.Attends community events upon request to represent the Pulmonary Department.

11.Maintains appropriate databases and metrics for Quality Improvement and presents data at meetings as necessary.5%

12.Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills, organization, time management, self-motivation, and a positive and professional

attitude at all times

13. Maintains competency in performing all duties of a Registered Respiratory Therapist and completes all necessary training in a

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timely manner.

14. When Departmental needs dictate, and at the discretion of the manager or designee, the RTCN may be reassigned to in-patient

respiratory for all or part of their shift.

15. Other duties as assigned by the Manager or designee.

Education Skills Experience

·Required: Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Care from an accredited college.

oPreferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Care (BSRT) or related field.

·Required: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

oPreferred: Advanced Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) credential preferred.

·Required: Current Connecticut Respiratory Care Practitioner License with no adverse licensure actions or pending charges.

·Required:Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in an acute care clinical setting.

·Required: Earns the Pulmonary Disease Educator certificate from the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) within six

months of hire.

oPreferred: Previous completion of the Pulmonary Disease Educator certificate from the American Association of Respiratory Care

(AARC). Provides a copy of the Certificate of Completion.

·Required: Proficient in all modalities of respiratory care and treatment with extensive knowledge of the pathophysiology of lung

diseases such as COPD, Interstitial Lung Disease, Asthma and COVID-19 and best practices for treatment.

·Required: Excellent customer service skills and ability to establish and build relationships with patients, families, and healthcare

providers. Ability to collaborate and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to optimize patient outcomes.

·Required: Proficient in use of Electronic Health Records, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Excel, and similar computer applications.

Other Information

·Shift: 36 hours per week (4 days x 9 hours), Monday – Friday, 7am-4:30 pm with occasional evenings and/or weekends as

necessary.

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We are an equal opportunity employer

Qualified applicants are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other classification protected under applicable Federal, State or Local law.

We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation or our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact Human Resources at 203-739-7330 (for reasonable accommodation requests only). Please provide all information requested to ensure that you are considered for current or future opportunities.