Respiratory Practitioner - Durable Medical Equipment at Meritus Health in Hagerstown, MD

Job description

• The Respiratory Practitioner DME provides basic non-clinical, equipment-related patient assessments and coordinates the setup and delivery of home medical equipment and supplies. This role serves patients across the lifespan—from neonatal and pediatric patients to adults and geriatric patients—and serves as a resource to physicians regarding the effectiveness of various modes of respiratory therapy.
• This position combines respiratory therapy expertise with patient education, home medical equipment, and direct support for patients in their homes. You'll play an important role in helping patients safely and effectively use respiratory equipment while supporting physicians, caregivers, and other healthcare providers.

Responsibilities

• Provide care and service to patients of all ages.
• Properly instruct patients and caregivers on the use of CPAP, BiPAP, and related respiratory equipment and home medical equipment.
• Set up and provide home medical equipment and supplies.
• Follow applicable standards of care for Home Medical Equipment patients and obtain verbal orders from physicians.
• Review Medicare and other insurance guidelines to determine medical necessity for equipment and explain requirements to patients.
• Provide exceptional customer service and maintain effective verbal and written communication with patients, families, caregivers, and other customers.
• Schedule and complete follow-up calls, assessments, and home visits as needed for patients using apnea, BiPAP, CPAP, and other respiratory equipment.
• Assess equipment tolerance, compliance, and patient satisfaction and document findings.
• Provide respiratory therapy education to nursing home staff, hospice staff, patients, and caregivers.
• Respond to weekend emergencies and equipment/supply deliveries as part of an on-call responsibility.
• Maintain knowledge of oxygen and home medical equipment accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Support referral and revenue growth opportunities.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and initiate equipment and supply orders.
• Safely operate a vehicle in varying weather conditions.
• Maintain competency in apnea monitors, CPAP/BiPAP, infection control, biliblanket phototherapy systems, suction machines, home oxygen, and high-humidity nebulizers.
• Assist with training new staff on required competencies.

Requirements

• Education
• Graduate of an accredited school of Respiratory Therapy.
• Experience
• At least 1 year of relevant experience.
• Previous Home Respiratory Care experience preferred.
• Licensure & Certifications
• Maryland Respiratory Care Practitioner license required; must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
• Pennsylvania and West Virginia Respiratory Therapist licensure must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
• Current BLS/CPR certification in compliance with organizational policy.
• Valid driver's license required for use of Meritus vehicles, along with a driving record that meets applicable requirements.
• Access to a vehicle and a current driver's license from any state required when using a personal vehicle.
• Required vehicle-use acknowledgements and insurance requirements apply.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with computers.
• Ability to work independently while providing knowledgeable support to patients, caregivers, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Licenses & Certifications
• Required
• Basic Life Support

Skills

Required

• Excellent customer service skills.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and professional growth. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, & short and long-term disability coverage. Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one, and we also provide a 401k plan, an education assistance program, and an employee assistance program. Additionally, employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential, adding even more value to your role.