The CF Respiratory Therapist will act as a hospital wide and clinic resource for all patients requiring care or equipment, generally available for patients with CF.  The CF Respiratory Therapist will also provide respiratory care and support encompassing the entire spectrum of therapies and equipment available for the care of patients with cystic fibrosis. This position will also positively motivate the team concept in patient management.  Other responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:  clinical, education, leadership, research and ordering respiratory equipment. The overreaching goal of the CF RT is to reduce the length of stay for CF patients.

Clinic Support

• Attend CF clinics as scheduled in the CF centers:
  • Perform diagnostic procedures, including pulmonary function testing including: spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, methacholine challenge, pulse oximetry and exercise studies and new tests as trained.
    
  • Provide annual comprehensive assessment of CF patient equipment, techniques, and therapy compliance.
    
  • Schedule and check in/out patients appropriately for procedures.
• Complete reports and billing according to policy.
  
• Documents activities as required by policy, procedure, and standard work.
  
• Responsible for maintaining competency for equipment and modalities within the Diagnostic Respiratory Care Practitioner scope of practice.
  

Care Coordination

• Liaise between inpatient and outpatient areas with regards to CF patients.
  
• Coach outpatients on IV antibiotics to encourage proper respiratory therapy techniques at home.
  
• Incorporate research findings into clinical practice, and demonstrate an understanding of current and new respiratory care modalities.
  
• Consult with multidisciplinary team members to meets patients' goals, needs
  • Provides quality care by assessing and reviewing evaluations and test results;
  • Determines respiratory therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians.
• Regularly attend weekly multidisciplinary team meetings related to patient care coordiation.
  
• Perfoms intensive assesments of high patient utilization.
  
• Audit inpatient charts for appropriate orders, delivered therapy and charges.
  
• Follow up with patients' needs after clinic visit and correspondence to private, DME or related provider companies, insurance companies, and government agencies. 
  

Inpatient Support

• Perform CF patient rounding with multidisciplinary team members.
  
• Act as resource and consult in regard to respiratory care for patients with CF throughout the hospital.
  
• Coordinate development of standard work related to respiratory care and CF patients.
  Coordinate discharge planning for respiratory services and equipment:
  
  • Consult with multidisciplinary team members.
    
  • Attend patient care conferences.
• Work with CF patients on a regular basis on airway clearance and inhaled medication treatment reviews.
  

Patient & Healthcare Worker Education

• Provide age approptiate education to patients and family members.
  
• Facilitate orientation to CF protocols & policies to new employees.
  
• Serve as an advocate for respiratory care by empowering staff through education and mentoring in clinical skills.
  
• Ensure proper operation of equipment by patient, family and caregivers by following manufacturer recommendations and OHSU policy.
  
• Attend Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis conference per CFF guidelines, if possible, or other appropriate conferences.
  
• Maintains professional knowledge by
  • attending educational workshops;
  • reviewing professional publications;
  • establishing personal networks;
  • participating in professional societies.

• Current, valid Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner's (LRCP) credential issued by the Health Licensing Office for the State of Oregon.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers issued by the American Heart Association.
• Minimum of an associate degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

• Microsoft Office Applications:

  • Outlook, Word, Excel, Access.

• Database management skills.
• Adherence to evidence-based practices to guide patients
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

• Bachelors Degree
• Five 5 years of progressively responsible experience with at least two years in cystic fibrosis care.
• Knowledge of American Thoracic Standards (ATS) for pulmonary function testing.
• Knowledge of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) clinical care guidelines

• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Environment, Physical Demands & Equipment Usage

• Work location in sometimes noisy patient care areas.
• 12 hour shifts.
• Possible exposure to blood, body fluids, airborn pathogens, magnetic fields, and radiation.

This position comes with fabulous benefits! Highlights include:

• Vacation - up to 208 hours per year pending length of service for full-time employees
• Sick Leave - 64 hours per year for full-time employees
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision care plans. Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Retirement: Choose between pension plan or employee matching voluntary savings plan
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• OHSU is a non-profit organization, so we qualify for the Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Discounts

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.


As an organization devoted to the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond, OHSU requires its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.