HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TECHNICIAN

Excela Health; Greensburg (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization seeks a Hyperbaric Technician responsible for managing hyperbaric oxygen therapy operations. The role involves patient education, safety monitoring during treatments, and ensuring compliance with medical and safety standards in a clinical setting. Ideal candidates possess a background in respiratory care, nursing, or EMS and have the required certifications.

Qualifications

• Completion of training in an UHMS approved course within 3 months of hire.
• One year of experience in a clinical health-related environment is preferred.
• Advanced understanding of oxygen safety and gas laws is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy schedule and ensure optimal operations.
• Educate and prepare patients for HBOT, monitoring during treatment.
• Maintain equipment and ensure all safety requirements are met.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational Skills

Communication

Critical Thinking

Medical Terminology

Education

Post-secondary coursework in Respiratory Care, EMS, or Nursing

Current licensure to practice in Pennsylvania

BLS certification

ACLS certification

Job description

Job Summary/Overall Objectives

The Hyperbaric Technician, under the general supervision of the Hyperbaric Physician/Provider and the direct supervision of the Department Manager/Director, will assume responsibility for the safe and effective operation of the compression chamber system and supporting components. All therapeutic and diagnostic modalities will be ordered by the Hyperbaric Physician/Provider.

Essential Job Functions

• Manages Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy schedule.
• Ensures a logical and systematic approach is utilized in scheduling patients to support optimal operations and fiscal responsibility.
• Attempts to meet the patients’ scheduling needs when special circumstances arise.
• Ensures the required physician/provider coverage is arranged to support the scheduled therapy.
• Edits EMR as needed to correctly represent HBO schedule, visit type, and physician.
• Serves as the Center Safety Officer.
• Stays educated in current safety practices within the field of hyperbaric medicine.
• Maintains the annual education and competencies to the wound center staff surrounding Emergency Ascent procedures.
• Evaluate the equipment and supply used in the chambers to ensure they meet all safety requirements before they are permitted in the chamber.
• Restrict or remove potentially hazardous supply or equipment items.
• Participates in all safety programs as directed by the manager
• Administering the HBOT as prescribed by the provider to the patient.
• Preparing, educating, and orienting patients about HBOT. This includes lifting or transferring patients per local policy, getting them ready for treatment administration and answering their questions.
• This includes monitoring and controlling the performance of the hyperbaric chamber equipment, as well as monitoring the patient’s response during the session and making proper adjustments to ensure the patient's safety and the safe and effective use of the equipment
• Supervises patients undergoing HBOT in the wound center.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of hospital policy and procedures surrounding HBOT.
• Utilizes safe and appropriate practices while administering hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
• Performs maintenance activities of the HBOT chambers and associated equipment as directed.
• Completes daily charges as well as documentation of care provided in the medical record.
• Educates the patients in the goals of hyperbaric therapy.
• Interacts appropriately with wound center staff and physicians to optimize communication directed towards patient care.
• Vital Signs will be monitored and documented including BP, and glucose.
• Record Keeping
• Maintain log of all patients receiving HBOT.
• Maintain a log depicting all potential patients for HBOT within the wound center.
• Upload wound photos into the EMR as directed.
• Assist manager with various record keeping logs related to quality initiatives or center operations as directed.
• Obtains insurance authorizations for the use of biological skin substitutes, advanced radiology studies, and HBOT as directed.
• Other duties assigned to support department needs .
• Includes but not limited to ordering supplies, maintaining temperature logs, ordering linens, scanning if needed Willingly accepts duties assigned by Director/Manager that enhance center operations and team approach.
• Will assist in the clinical area as time permits.
• Performs TCOM as needed.
• Willingly participates in marketing initiatives that support the center as well as the health system
• Compressed air cylinders will be maintained to facilitate air brakes during HBOT.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Completion of post-secondary course work in either Respiratory Care, EMS or Nursing.
• Completion of training in an Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) approved training course or successful completion of training course within 3 months of date of hire
• One (1) year of experience in clinical health related environment.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Medical terminology.
• Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Advanced understanding of oxygen safety, gas laws and pulmonary physiology.
• Prior work experience in respiratory care.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current licensure to practice in the State of Pennsylvania.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.

• Current ACLS or completion within 2 months of hire/transfer into department

• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

X

Extreme Cold

X

Heights

X

Confined Spaces

X

Extreme Noise(>85dB)

X

Mechanical Hazards

X

Use of Vibrating Tools

X

Operates Vehicle (company)

X

Operates Heavy Equipment

X

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

X

Rotates All Shifts

X

8 Hours Shifts

X

10-12 Hours Shifts

On-Call

Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hrs/wk)

X

Travel Between Sites

X

Direct Patient Care

X

Respirator Protective Equipment

X

Eye Protection

X

Head Protection (hard hat)

X

Hearing Protection

X

Hand Protection

X

Feet, Toe Protection

X

Body Protection

X

Latex Exposure

X

Solvent Exposure

X

Paint (direct use) Exposure

X

Dust (sanding) Exposure

X

Ethylene Oxide Exposure

X

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

X

Blood/Body Fluid Exposure

X

Chemicals (direct use) Exposure

X

Mist Exposure

X

Wax Stripper (direct use)

X

Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure

X

Ionizing Radiation Exposure

X

Laser Exposure

X

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Bending (Stooping)

X

Sitting

X

Walking

X

Climbing Stairs

X

Climbing Ladders

X

Standing

X

Kneeling

X

Squatting (Crouching)

X

Twisting/Turning

X

Keyboard/Computer Operation

X

Gross Grasp

X

Fine Finger Manipulation

X

Hand/Arm Coordination

X

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

X

Carry

X

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

X

Seeing Near w/Acuity

X

Feeling (Sensation)

X

Color Vision

X

Hearing Clearly

X

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

X

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

X

Reaching Forward

X

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

###

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

###

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

###

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

###

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Qualifications Education

Preferred

Licensed Pract Nurse

Cert Respiratory Therapst

Behaviors

Preferred

Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

Innovative : Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Enthusiastic : Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Dedicated : Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Preferred

Work-Life Balance : Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work

Self-Starter : Inspired to perform without outside help

Flexibility : Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT

ACLS

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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