At Houston Methodist, the Hyperbaric Technician/Safety Coordinator position is responsible forfor administering hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy and screening testing 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/Safety Coordinator 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's responsibilities include the safe and effective operation and maintenance of the hyperbaric chamber and related support systems and ancillary components. The Hyperbaric Technician/Safety Coordinator position is required to assist in maintaining department safety and making recommendations for safety policies, incorporating new safety procedures as appropriate that 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. This position is responsible for maintaining all department safety-related standards as required by various licensing and regulatory agencies. Requirements:

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides appropriate support for employees. Informs coworkers of any special work conditions such as infection control, hazard control, and confined spaces. Responds positively to requests for assistance. Serves as the hyperbaric facility's technical trainer for staff and provides in-service training and education related to the various aspects of hyperbaric physiology, decompression requirements, equipment operations, safety, and treatment protocols.
• Fosters a positive working relationship with the hospital's Facilities Management Department. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort and facilitates problem resolution. Interacts with peers, staff, and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Role models open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional.
• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs transcutaneous oxygen monitoring testing as ordered and per department policy.
• Sets up procedures to assist the Medical Director in reviewing and documenting safety-related events and discusses appropriate events with other interprofessional team members to facilitate learning as necessary. Documents, where applicable, care administered, diagnostic measurements, treatments, and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ensures 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.
• Serves as a point of contact for patient concerns, escalating issues when appropriate. Provides reports to management of needs, issues to be addressed, and all-important information necessary to ensure department success. Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability and role modeling.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assures that department performance follows Houston Methodist policies and procedures and guidelines/standards from pertinent regulatory agencies and are reviewed and revised as appropriate, to reflect knowledge of standards and recommended practices for hyperbaric practice. Assures that department quality standards are achieved and role models accountability for improving patient safety services within department.
• Evaluates hyperbaric chamber equipment/supplies used in the chamber and ensures that they meet all safety requirements before they are permitted inside the chamber.
• Works with the ordering physician to ensure that the patient's diagnosis is an appropriately approved disorder for HBO therapy. Ensures diagnosis is clearly entered on the patient's charts/records.
• Follows and implements the required clinical protocols for HBO treatment plans and reviews plans with ordering physician prior to diving.
• 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

* Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates with members of leadership team in product and equipment evaluation. 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.
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

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. Qualifications:

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
• Completed a National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT)-approved hyperbaric medicine introductory course
• Completion of a recognized course in hyperbaric medicine (Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, American College of Hyperbaric Medicine, NBDHMT, etc., or similar nation-specific requirement)

WORK EXPERIENCE

* Two years experience with hyperbaric chambers

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• CHT - Certification in Hyperbaric Technology (NBDHMT) AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) AND
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA)

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
• Intermediate knowledge of infection control, disinfection, and sanitization techniques
• Advanced 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*

• 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

Company Profile: Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital, located 35 miles southeast of Houston, is the area's only full-service hospital offering specialized medical care for patients at every stage in life. Houston Methodist Baytown houses 226 operating beds, with 15 operating rooms and more than 1,700 employees. The hospital brings Texas Medical Center excellence and quality care close to East Harris and surrounding counties.Equal Employment OpportunityHouston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor - priority referral Protected Veterans requested.