At Houston Methodist, the Respiratory Equipment Associate position is responsible for demonstrating basic knowledge and skill necessary to perform assigned duties such as maintenance of supplies and equipment, cleaning of minor equipment, distribution of oxygen cylinders to designated cylinder storage locations on nursing units and patient care locations throughout the campus. This position performs delegated tasks under the supervision of management and lead nursing staff, as appropriate. The Respiratory Equipment Associate position must be able to communicate appropriately and work closely with other staff and co-workers.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as resource to supply needs of patient care staff; may provide cylinder oxygen request from Nursing Units and other clinical locations though responsiveness to calls and instructions from management and shift lead.

• Communicates clearly, professionally, positively and effectively with patients, nurses, physicians, visitors, and coworkers in a courteous, friendly, and helpful manner. Utilizes professional phone etiquette. Maintains positive interactions with staff throughout the organization.

• Makes appropriate customer service decisions with problem-solving, setting/communicating delays. Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Distributes supplies and as appropriate, cylinders to designated locations. Distributes equipment as assigned. May assist staff to deliver to other hospital departments as needed.

• Cleans and prepares non-disposable equipment for Sterile Processing/high level disinfection. Returns equipment to appropriate departments for repair/replacement.

• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction/experience through peer-to-peer accountability and providing timely cylinder oxygen requests.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows all safety regulations for supplies and equipment and maintains storage areas per department/hospital policy.

• Follows all infection control practices in the handling of supplies and cleaning. Maintains a clean and organized storage rooms, work environment.

• Continually measures and improves quality outcomes. Checks logs according to regulation standards. Checks emergency carts, as appropriate, and maintains accurate documentation.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accurately maintains supply inventory, not overstocked, at designated locations.

• Performs daily/weekly inventory count and assist in supply ordering. Tracks missing equipment, following through on lost or misplaced items sent for cleaning or repair to minimize loss.

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established daily responsibilities and assignments.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Contributes new ideas to improve operations and productivity. Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and activities.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates My Development plan on an on-going basis, including the development of advanced skills. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience in a healthcare setting, inventory management, and/or the service industry preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Practices universal precautions at all times. Demonstrates a working knowledge of isolation, infection control and safety procedures

• Ability to build and sustain interpersonal relationships

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.