Respiratory Equipment Coordinator

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. It´s a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all—and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet – an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: Respiratory Equipment Coordinator

Department: Respiratory Therapy

Schedule: 40 Hours, Day

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the respiratory therapy department manager, the individual in this position is responsible for maintaining the upkeep of all respiratory care-related equipment.  Duties include cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing, assembling and stocking respiratory equipment. Also performs preventive maintenance and repair of life support equipment such as mechanical ventilators. This position will work with the staff from the department of clinical engineering on proper testing intervals, procedures, product recalls, performance improvement initiatives, general repairs and utilizing the electronic management software system to document service and maintenance procedures.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Responsible for maintaining all respiratory care-related equipment.  Duties include cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing, assembling and stocking respiratory equipment. Also performs preventive maintenance and repairs of life support equipment and peripheral devices, as per department policy. Reports any problems or issues with equipment or inventory levels to manager/director.

Performs a variety of duties involving the cleaning and repair of respiratory equipment:

• Inspects and cleans respiratory cleaning equipment on a regular basis.
  • Washes, rinses, dries, assembles, tests, wraps respiratory equipment in order to disinfect and sterilize equipment in compliance with established standards of the department, Joint Commission and other regulatory organizations.
  • Cleans area before and after cleaning equipment.
  • Changes expired or contaminated solutions with new activated solution.
  • Assembles clean ventilators with clean parts. Completes the ventilator pre-use checklist following the manufacturer guidelines to ensure readiness for patient use.
  • Maintains records and posts information pertaining to work performed. 

Performs a variety of duties related to the inventory and stocking of respiratory equipment and related supplies:

• Checks the tank rooms to insure the proper storage of tanks, with chains attached.
• Checks inventory of the respiratory gases in the department and tank room. Orders tanks to maintain par level.
• Maintains inventory of parts necessary for repairs.
• Monitors, orders and stocks supply inventory in order to maintain appropriate supply levels and to ensure re-ordering when necessary.  Monitors delivery of supplies, equipment and follows up with vendor on overdue items.
• As directed, evaluates new respiratory care products and equipment for possible purchase.  Becomes familiar with the performance characteristics of the equipment, its advantages, disadvantages and any other benefit to quality patient care that it might offer. 
• Orders supplies on-line using Infor System. Prints usage reports as directed from Infor and reviews with leadership.

Performs preventative and routine maintenance, and repairs all respiratory-related equipment, mechanical ventilators, and associated devices, in accordance to established factory guidelines and procedures established by the Department of Clinical Engineering and independent training organizations.

• Performs maintenance procedures as necessary on all respiratory-related equipment in according to established factory guidelines and procedures established by the Department of Clinical Engineering.
• Replaces parts of respiratory equipment in order to repair equipment and ensure its availability in operable condition.
• Repairs oxygen regulators, air and oxygen flow meters, suction gauges and other devices. Coordinates the drop-off of broken equipment and the return or repaired equipment with the Transport and Materials Distribution departments.
• Maintains appropriate documentation and reports of all maintenance and repair performed, inspection and expiration dates and other related issues utilizing the Department of Clinical Engineering electronic management software system.
• Maintains an accurate list of all respiratory related equipment, including but not limited to; serial number, PM dates, model number, CE number and any other information as required by the Director.
• Participates in all related equipment and supply planning.
• Acts as lead person for bronchoscope processing and repair.is responsible for care and distribution of equipment.
• Assists management in dealing with equipment-related problem solving.

Interacts with outside vendors in order to purchase equipment and supplies, as authorized by Director. Participates in Quality Improvement programs as is needed.

• Performs electrical safety checks on all respiratory equipment in accordance with Clinical Engineering processes.
• Assists with the development and modification of equipment as the need arises both within the department and in conjunction with other specialties.
• Works with Clinical Engineering, purchasing Materials Distribution, Risk Management and other departments on following up on device incidents as well as product advisories and recalls.
• Works with Clinical Engineering on associated performance improvement initiatives.

Other duties:

• Adapts to changes in the departmental needs including but not limited to: offering assistance to other team members, shifting priorities, adjusting assignments, etc.
• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
• Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the department and the hospital’s mission and goals.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Other related duties as needed.

Must adhere to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Associates degree in respiratory care, clinical engineering or a related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must have completed factory training on ventilator maintenance. For candidates with demonstrated proficiency in the areas of responsibility, training requirements may be waived for entry into position, but must be completed within 90 days of hire

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

None

EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years’ experience in any combination of the following:
  • Clinical engineering, materials management, distribution, respiratory care

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Requires some technical knowledge of equipment used in respiratory treatment. Must possess mechanical aptitude with ability to analyze equipment problems and take appropriate action to maintain equipment and make repairs.
• Ability to pass vendor training classes and become certified per manufacturer’s training within probationary period
• Ability to accurately interpret and use medical terminology and abbreviations.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency/skills with standard hospital software systems. Experience with or ability to learn additional applications.
• Ability to effectively speak, read and write proper English.
• Ability to maintain detailed documentation.
• Requires knowledge of standards, regulations, and safety requirements (such as JC, FDA, ECRI, NFPA, OSHA, and DPH).
• Organizational skills to effectively set priorities and efficiently complete assigned work.
• Exhibition of excellent customer service skills when providing services to all departments and interacting with staff, patients, families and vendors.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS (Responsible for on-call, 24 hr. coverage, etc.):

May be required to work weekends and off shift hours as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

According to the FTC, there has been a rise in employment offer scams. Our current job openings are listed on our website and applications are received only through our website. We do not ask or require downloads of any applications, or “apps” job offers are not extended over text messages or social media platforms. We do not ask individuals to purchase equipment for or prior to employment.