Licensed Practical Nurse

About This Role

This role involves administering hyperbaric oxygen therapy to patients as prescribed by a Hyperbaric Provider, ensuring the safe and effective operation of hyperbaric chambers and related support systems. The position also includes day-to-day maintenance of the equipment and serving as a point person for assessing materials suitable for use in hyperbaric chambers.

Responsibilities

• Perform hyperbaric chamber operator duties, including preparing, educating, and orienting patients about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Lift or transfer patients per local policy, get them ready for treatment administration, and answer their questions
• Administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy as prescribed by the Hyperbaric Provider, monitoring and controlling equipment performance and patient responses
• Make appropriate data entries for daily hyperbaric treatments and wound care clinic visits, maintaining complete and accurate patient records
• Operate and maintain hyperbaric chamber(s) and other hyperbaric support oxygen systems as required
• Participate in the safety program, such as conducting safety drills
• Be responsible for all hyperbaric equipment/supply, ensuring safe and effective operation and maintenance of the hyperbaric chamber(s) and related systems and ancillary components
• Evaluate equipment and supply used in the chamber(s) to ensure they meet all safety requirements before being permitted inside
• Restrict or remove potentially hazardous supply or equipment items
• Collaborate with the Program Director and Healogics to coordinate and approve all hyperbaric chamber upgrades, modifications, and repairs, ensuring compliance with appropriate safety standards
• Work closely with facility management personnel and department medical personnel to ensure smooth day-to-day operations
• Work closely with Medical, Program, and Nursing senior management to develop and annually revise department policies and procedures, as well as operation and maintenance documents
• Lead hyperbaric safety program activities and initiatives
• Maintain a safe environment in the hyperbaric facility for patients and staff, using approved decompression procedures for all persons with hyperbaric exposure to inert gases
• Review all department safety incidents, collect information regarding equipment/patient safety, report relevant incidents to staff, and periodically provide in-service training related to hyperbarics
• Conduct quarterly safety drills to improve staff responses to emergencies
• Inform personnel of any special work conditions such as infection prevention and hazard control
• Assist the Medical Director in reviewing and documenting safety-related events and discussing appropriate events with others to facilitate learning
• Maintain department compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99 (Health Care Facilities Code) with regards to hyperbarics
• Review, make change recommendations for departmental safety policies, and incorporate new policies as appropriate
• Serve on the hospital’s safety or environment of care committee, as appropriate
• If CMA or LPN, may function as a Documentation Assistant (scribe) in accordance with Healogics policy
• Perform other duties as required

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (General Education Development)
• Current healthcare professional certification or license as applicable in state of practice, to maintain throughout the duration of employment in this role. This applies to:
• Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Military: Corpsman or Medical Services Specialist
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic
• Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
• Certified Hyperbaric Specialist (CHS)
• Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN)
• Certified or Registered Medical Assistant (CMA or RMA)
• Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)
• Certified Hyperbaric Wound Specialist (CHWS)
• Physical Therapist (PT) or Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
• Or completion of Hyperbaric Training from US Department of Defense (DOD), e.g., US Navy, Army or Coast Guard Diver (1st Class, 2nd Class or Master designation), or US Air Force Aerospace Physiology Specialist
• Pre or post hire completion of an approved Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Safety course. If pre-hire, the course completion must be within the past 5 years from date of hire.
• Pre or post hire completion of an approved hyperbaric Medicine Introductory course (from Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology, Department of Defense, or American College of Hyperbaric Medicine)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR certification, to be maintained throughout the duration of employment in this position
• Hyperbaric equipment and related systems troubleshooting skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Basic math skills
• Organization and time-management skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Customer service and follow-up skills
• Ability to stay calm and relax patients
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite skills (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Nice to have:

• Current Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) or Certified Hyperbaric Specialist (CHS) certification
• Two (2) or more years’ experience in healthcare
• Prior experience in wound or critical care
• Prior supervisory experience

Important Details

• Work environment: Primarily indoors, patient care environment, exposure to hazards (bloodborne pathogens, toxic chemicals, flammable explosive gases, etc.), exposure to mechanical equipment, proximity to moving objects, electrical current

About the Company

Healogics is the largest provider of advanced wound care services in the United States, treating more than 300,000 chronic wound patients annually across over 600 sites. The company aims to provide differentiated, quality outcomes to as many patients as possible through its out-patient clinic partnerships. All employees must perform job responsibilities according to Healogics policies, Hospital policies, accrediting organizations, federal and state regulation, and CMS guidelines, as applicable.