Pulmonary Rehab Specialist

CHI Health St. Elizabeth founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in 1889 is a full-service 260-bed nonprofit regional medical center in Lincoln Neb. St. Elizabeth specializes in the treatment areas of newborn and pediatric care women’s health burn and wound cardiology oncology emergency medicine orthopedics and neuroscience.

This position Coordinates scheduling and planning for Pulmonary Rehabilitation classes, participates in patient/family teaching, provides leadership by working with physicians, other patient care team personnel, and other departments in maintaining standards for professional practices in the clinical setting.

Responsibilites

• Coordinates all aspects of inpatient and outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation program; includes assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the patient’s plan of care in coordination with the physician.
• Develops individualized treatment plan of care, updating with each session and submits to physician for signature every 30 days
• Supervises inpatient and outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation exercise training and educational sessions. Monitors patients during rehabilitation sessions; this includes patient’s pulse oximetry, blood pressure, respiratory rate, color, cough, breath sounds, level of dyspnea and rhythm monitoring if necessary. 
• Provides patient/family individual pulmonary education and counseling, including home exercise and smoking cessation counseling if needed. Assists with educational needs of cardiac rehabilitation patients.
• In accordance to established guidelines and procedures, administers routine care; includes oxygen, aerosol treatments, diagnostic procedures and home care instruction. 
• Collaborates with other health care members (i.e. RNs, cardiopulmonary specialists, exercise physiologists, wellness center instructors, interns, etc.).  When needed, triage patients for emergent or non-emergent care.  Problem-solves with staff, physicians, patients, families, and other health care team members/departments.
• Initiates emergency procedures (including cardiopulmonary resuscitation) according to policy.
• Measures and evaluates baseline functional capacity, physical, psychosocial and nutritional status. Documents individual patient outcomes in these areas.
• Maintains knowledge of documentation requirements needed for patient’s records.
• Demonstrates awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and unit function and strives to manage situations in a reduced risk manner and promote patient safety and infection control.
• Contributes to community service activities related to cardiopulmonary disease.

Qualifications

Graduate of an AMA approved 2-4 year, college based program of Respiratory Therapy.

Registration (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Licensed by the State Nebraska with a Respiratory Care Practitioner license or Iowa Department of Health with a Respiratory Care Practitioner’s license.

BLS or BLS instructor certification is required upon hire.  Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include the following:  American Heart Association:  Basic Life Support for Health care Providers.

ACLS or ACLS instructor certification is required within 3 months of hire date.  Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include the following:  American Heart Association:  Advanced Cardiac Life Support.