Hyperbaric Oxygen Tech MGM at Beacon Health System – Kalamazoo, Michigan

Reports to the Manager of the Wound Clinic. Under the general supervision of the Managing HBO Provider, provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy including patient care and education. Assists with insurance authorization for treatments and assists the clinical team with patient care in the wound clinic.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Provides Patient Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy by:

• Administers and monitors Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO).
• Assisting provider with gathering of clinical support for HBO and submitting to Insurance companies for approval for initial and continued HBO Therapy.
• Preparing patients for HBO treatment by providing pre and post procedural education, vital sign assessments, and glucometers. Assists with reassuring patients prior to and during HBO treatment.
• Completing and verifying documentation in the EMR including pre-procedural consents, checklists, and treatment records.
• Explaining pre-assessment and treatments to the patient/family, including HBO education, safety concerns/requirements.
• Documenting patient/family teaching as well as education on activities post treatment.
• Recognizing patient condition changes and providing appropriate intervention.
• Preparing equipment to determine proper functioning and making adjustments if necessary. Responsible for Daily/ weekly/ monthly/quarterly/ semi-annual/ and annual equipment checks.
• Maintaining an adequate inventory of supplies and ensuring not expired.
• Responding to patient’s procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.

Assists in Providing Wound Care to Patients Under Supervision of the Clinical Team by:

• Demonstrating the knowledge and skills and necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Complying with applicable laws, scope of practice, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Assisting in preparation of wound clinic patients for treatment by taking vital signs, removal of dressing, cleaning of wounds, and taking pictures of wounds.
• Assisting in simple dressing changes.
• Assisting nursing and providers with treatments and procedures when needed.

Performs HBO Safety Responsibilities and QA by:

• Performing hyperbaric operations and cleaning as maintenance as needed.
• Maintains required continuing education and competencies and required certifications.
• Evaluating HBO equipment to ensure proper function.
• Performing routine and complex equipment care and maintenance.

Performs other Functions to Maintain Personal Competence and Contribute to the Overall Effectiveness of the Department by:

• Completing other job-related duties and projects as assigned.
• Assisting Patient Service Representative (PSR) in scheduling HBO patient or Wound Care visit patients.
• Obtaining authorization for HBO treatments.
• Assisting (PSR) with patient registration.
• Assisting (PSR) with insurance eligibility and authorization for wound care as needed.
• Assisting (PSR) with charge entry.
• Compiling paperwork to assist with obtaining authorization for skin substitutes.
• Ordering and maintaining stock of skin substitutes.
• Maintaining records of all skin substitutes in TrackCore.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a Hyperbaric Oxygen Certified Technician program (CHT).
• Candidates that will be given consideration are those who are a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Paramedic, Respiratory Therapists (RT) or other Healthcare Professionals with the appropriate licensure or certification.
• If candidate does not have the CHT certification, candidate must complete hyperbaric training course within one month of hire.
• Previous experience as a Hyperbaric Oxygen Certified Technician preferred.
• Previous Wound Care experience also preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Maintains current BLS for Healthcare Providers and professional certifications.
• Demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written) necessary for effective communication with patients, families, technicians and aides.
• Requires analytical skills to determine appropriate methods of therapy based upon observation of patient and diagnostic reports and to apply policies and procedures.
• Previous experience with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is preferred.

Working Conditions

• Works in a patient care environment with potential exposure to chemicals, chemical vapors and blood-borne pathogens.
• Assists with coverage of emergent HBO treatment by participating in the on-call coverage for emergent HBO.
• Assists in providing coverage of HBO at Elkhart Center for Wound Healing as needed.
• Call rotation is a requirement which includes a 60 minute response time.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e. to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position.