Respiratory Aide

Location: Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center – 836 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago

Job Description Summary: Under supervision of the Manager, Coordinator or Charge Therapist, performs various materials management duties involving respiratory therapy equipment and supplies, including medical gas cylinders.  Decontaminates machinery and recyclable equipment; inventories and maintains stock levels; distributes medical cylinders; and prepares ventilators and other respiratory care devices for clinical usage.  Performs other related duties as assigned.

Major Responsibilities:

• Maintains the proper stock level of supplies and equipment in the appropriate locations in the department and throughout the Medical Center.
  •     1)Conducts weekly inventory of department stock items, and insures that adequate supplies are present within the department.
  •     2)Accepts delivery of all supplies and provides an accounting of delivered goods to the department secretary.
  •     3)Restocks drawers, shelves, and cabinets from bulk box storage, both within the department and at secondary storage sites throughout the Medical Center.
  •     4)Checks disposable supplies in the Arterial Blood Gas Laboratories, and restocks from department general storage area.
  •     5)Performs duties related to inventory control such as rotation of stock, proper storage, cleanliness of area, proper disposal of boxes and debris, and delivery of supplies throughout the Medical Center in response to requests or needs.
• Disassembles, cleans and decontaminates all recyclable equipment, including ventilators and other respiratory care devices; following defined policies and procedures.
  •     1)Disassembles used ventilators; disinfects ventilators with appropriate spray product; set-up with clean equipment and accessories; tests ventilator for proper function and completes verification checklist.
  •     2)Disassembles used accessories; washes, dries, reassembles, packages, includes appropriate indicators; transports to and from Central Supply for Sterilization ; restocks.
  •     3)Disassembles used equipment; disinfects with appropriate spray product; stores in appropriate area.
  •     4)Checks all equipment for proper function before further processing or storage, according to the written procedure for each type of equipment.
  •     5)Retrieves equipment from Pulmonary Diagnostic lab; packages, includes appropriate indicators; delivers and retrieves equipment from Central Supply sterilization and aeration.
  •     6)Maintains Respiratory Emergency Kits. Replaces used equipment, verifies that all appropriate equipment is included in kits.
  •     7)Follows all Infection Control practices as defined by hospital policy and CDC guidelines.
• Inventories and distributes medical gas cylinders to insure adequate stock levels.
  •     1)Conducts weekly inventory of department gas cylinders stock and insures that an adequate number of cylinders are present within the department.
  •     2)Accepts delivery of all cylinders and provides an accounting of delivered goods to the department secretary.
  •     3)Restocks department storage areas and secondary storage areas throughout the Medical Center.
  •     4)Maintains the Nitrogen and Nitrous Oxide tank bank; restocks with full cylinders, removes empty cylinders, and documents daily pressure levels.
  •     5)Checks and restocks emergency oxygen cylinders throughout the Medical Center on a routine basis.
• Performs basic maintenance and minor repairs on equipment.
  •     1)Performs performance verification procedures on equipment.
  •     2)Transports malfunctioning equipment to Clinical Engineering for repair, and works with Clinical Engineering to return equipment to full use.
  •     3)Repairs minor equipment from stock of spare parts.
  •     4)Conducts inventory of spare parts, and insures that adequate supplies are present, in conjunction with Clinical Engineering.
• Performs duties and completes projects as assigned by the Manager or Coordinators.

Education/Experience Required:

• • High School diploma or equivalent. • 6 months – 1 year minimum experience • Previous work experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• • Good communication skills. • Mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity needed for maintenance and repair of equipment.
• NA

Physicial Requirements and Working Conditions:

• • Frequent lifting and moving of heavy objects. • Required to work weekends and holidays. • Ability to perform tasks accurately. • Ability to follow Standard Precautions and Infection Control practices.
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.