Hyperbaric Technician - PRN

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.

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.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business / job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

WORK EXPERIENCE

Two years previous experience in one of the following roles with wound care and hyperbaric :

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist (TMB) OR

PA - Physician Assistant - State Licensure OR

EMT - Emergency Medical Technician - State Certification OR

EMT-B - Emergency Medical Technician-Basic - State Certification OR

EMT-I - Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate - State Certification OR

EMT-A - Emergency Medical Technician-Advanced - State Certification OR

EMT-P - Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic - State Certification OR

EMR - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-First Responder (NREMT) OR

EMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Basic (NREMT) OR

EMT-I - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Intermediate OR

AEMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Advanced (NREMT) OR

Paramedic - National Registry of Paramedics (NREMT) OR

RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and / or Compact State Licensure within 60 days OR

RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 60 days OR

LVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse - State Licensure OR

APRN-CNP - Adult Nurse Practitioner - State Licensure OR

Military Corpsman AND

CHT - Certification in Hyperbaric Technology (NBDHMT) within 1 year OR

CHWS- Certified Hyperbaric Wound Specialist (ABWH) within 1 year AND

BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

KNOWLEDGE, 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

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

Uniform No

Scrubs Yes

Business professional No

Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL

TRAVEL

Travel specifications may vary by department

May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile :

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in June 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 267-bed, 725,000-square-foot, full-service, acute-care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also, on the beautiful hospital campus, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas State Highway 242, are two medical office buildings, which include a Breast Care Center; Cancer Center; infusion center; heart and vascular services; neurology; orthopedics and sports medicine; rehabilitation services; wellness services; an outpatient laboratory; and several other multispecialty physician practices. In January 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened Healing Tower - a $250 million expansion project that added 106 beds, focused on medical-surgical and women's services, and provided nine operating rooms. The project also included the expansion of the endoscopy center, emergency department and diagnostic imaging department with an enhanced neurodiagnostic and interventional center.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.