Hyperbaric Technician

Full time, day shift position working five, 8-hour shifts Monday-Friday in the Wound Care Center

At Houston Methodist, the Hyperbaric Technician position is responsible for administering hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy to patients of the Wound Care Program, under the supervision of a hyperbaric physician. This position records data established by policy and procedure, and reports observations and patient problems to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy-qualified Registered Nurse. The Hyperbaric Technician position, under the direction of a Hyperbaric Oxygen-qualified Registered Nurse, demonstrates highly competent knowledge necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated patient care tasks for assigned patient populations, providing high quality support of patient care and services. This position is responsible for assigned non-nursing functions which support the interprofessional team in delivering high quality, cost-effective care while practicing Patient and Family Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist ICARE values.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• • Two years previous experience in one of the following roles with wound care and hyperbaric:
  ◦ Respiratory Therapist
  ◦ Physician Assistant
  ◦ Emergency Medical Technician /Paramedic
  ◦ Registered Nurse
  ◦ Licensed Vocational Nurse
  ◦ Nurse Practitioner
  ◦ Military Corpsman
  ◦ Medical Assistant

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• License or certification: EMT or LVN or EMT-P or EMT-I or LP or NREMT or NREMT-P or NREMT-I or EMT-A or EMT-B or NREMT-FR or NREMT-A and
• Certification in Hyperbaric: CHT or CHWS (required to be obtained within one year of hire) and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

Preferred

• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Working knowledge of policies and procedures as it relates to Hyperbaric Medicine
• Able to perform provide non-invasive measurement of skin perfusion pressure (SPP) and pulse volume recording (PVR) on extremities of patients accurately and effectively
• knowledge of logs and computers for the purposes of ensuring compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies
• Ability to operate, trouble shoot, and train new employees on the department-specific equipment on competency checklist
• Demonstrates independence and exercises judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team, patients and their families
• Displays strong time management skills
• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including but not limited to organizing workflows and actively participating in problem-solving
• Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team as appropriate

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with the interprofessional wound care team daily by communicating effectively, reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner, and participating in unit meetings and huddles.
• Promotes a positive work environment that actively assists interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results. Facilitates teamwork by anticipating the need for assistance and responding positively to requests for assistance. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding.
• Interacts with peers, staff, patients and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows the patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Documents, where applicable, care administered, diagnostic measurements, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ensures all equipment and furnishings are cleansed according to policy and procedure.
• Ensure patient education and consent forms are accurate and signed prior to any hyperbaric treatment, which will be determined by the physician based on the patient diagnosis. Ensures hyperbaric therapy records will be accurate, complete, and recorded in the patient EMR in a timely manner.
• Performs diagnostic testing, dressing materials, removal and disposal in a proper manner, preliminary wound cleansing done, ABI screening and other duties as assigned, as appropriate, and patient positioned for optimal wound assessment and evaluation.
• Performs transcutaneous oxygen monitoring testing as ordered and per department policy and report results to physician/nurse directing the care of the patient.
• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides constant monitoring of patients undergoing hyperbaric therapy, always staying in service range. Reports observations, conditions, problems and/or adverse events of patients immediately to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Collaborate with department personnel to identify new and efficient process improvement opportunities, based on evidence-based practice.
• Reports near misses and collaborates with the interprofessional health care team to improve patient safety. Contributes towards improving quality and safety scores on the department scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability. Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities. Follows up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments.
• Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs. Completes and updates the My Development plan on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• WORK ATTIRE
  • Uniform: No
  • Scrubs: Yes
  • Business professional: No
  • Other (department approved): Yes
  ON-CALL*
  *Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
  • On Call* No
  TRAVEL**
  **Travel specifications may vary by department**
  • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
  • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• • Two years previous experience in one of the following roles with wound care and hyperbaric:
  ◦ Respiratory Therapist
  ◦ Physician Assistant
  ◦ Emergency Medical Technician /Paramedic
  ◦ Registered Nurse
  ◦ Licensed Vocational Nurse
  ◦ Nurse Practitioner
  ◦ Military Corpsman
  ◦ Medical Assistant

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• License or certification: EMT or LVN or EMT-P or EMT-I or LP or NREMT or NREMT-P or NREMT-I or EMT-A or EMT-B or NREMT-FR or NREMT-A and
• Certification in Hyperbaric: CHT or CHWS (required to be obtained within one year of hire) and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

Preferred

• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA)