Hyperbaric Technician

The Hyperbaric Technician is responsible for ensuring compliance in the program’s safety on behalf of the patients, company and hospital;  shall exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to the health and safety policy and procedures of the program and will serve as the acting Hyperbaric safety officer. The hyperbaric technician will resume responsibility for patient while patient is undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy and aLl components of patient care in regard to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. He/she shall make necessary recommendations for the departmental safety policies and incorporate new safety procedures as appropriate. He/she shall have the authority to restrict and remove any potentially hazardous supply or equipment items from the hyperbaric environment. 

The hyperbaric safety director shall assume complete responsibility for all hyperbaric equipment and safety
requirements for the entire program as well as being involved in safety education for the Wound Care
Advantage network. The Hyperbaric Safety Director is responsible for ensuring compliance in the program’s
safety on behalf of the patients, company and hospital; therefore, shall exercise discretion and independent
judgment with respect to the health and safety policy and procedures of the program. The hyperbaric safety
director will work closely with the wound care staff, management, and physician(s) in the coordination of
patient care and make recommendations in procedures for the operations and maintenance of the
hyperbaric program. He/she will participate in the orientation program of new hires, training of work-related
personnel, and supervise al hyperbaric technicians in the hyperbaric department. The hyperbaric safety
director will also be responsible for ensuring the successful completion and/or renewal of the UHMS
Accreditation for the hyperbaric department if applicable for the department.
He/she shall make necessary recommendations for the departmental safety policies and incorporate new
safety procedures as appropriate. He/she shall have the authority to restrict and remove any potentially
hazardous supply or equipment items from the hyperbaric environment. The hyperbaric safety director shall
act as the department’s representative for chamber system maintenance and be the resource for resolving
safety related issues for the hyperbaric department. He/she shall provide leadership for the technical
personnel and supervise their standards for the department's training and qualification program relating to
safe operation of the chamber system.

REPORTS TO: Clinical Coordinator, Medical Director, Safety Director

 KEY JOB AREA: TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

ADMINISTRATIVE

 1. Ensures departmental compliance with the requirements of JCAHO, NFPA 99, PVHO I, UHMS, NBDHMT, and all other applicable unit safety policies. 

2. Serves as the department’s technical representative and ensures that the technical personnel
comply with published preventative maintenance schedules. Comply with published preventative maintenance schedules. 

3. Reviews al department safety incidents, collects information regarding equipment patient safety, reports relevant issues to staff. 

4. Comply with departmental safety policies and procedures.  Develops and periodically reviews / revises departmental policy and procedure, operation and maintenance manuals.

5. Participate in the organization’s safety committee meetings. 

6. Participates in unit quality assurance and improvement. 

7. Attends mandatory hospital education. 

8. Attends unit meetings per unit standard. 

9. Maintains a positive relationship between the hospital safety department, local fire department, fire
marshal, EMS director, and other inspectors as appropriate.

10. Participate in new hire orientation training process. 

11. Ensure department and hospital policies and procedures are followed accordingly. 

12.  Position the hyperbaric department for UHMS Accreditation Inspection and/or renewal (if applicable)
13.  Participates in unit quality assurance and improvement and Participate in the organization’s safety committee meetings.
14. Attends mandatory hospital education.
15. Attends unit meetings per unit standard.
16. Adheres to and enforces hospital dress code policy.
17. Supervise and educate al hyperbaric technicians in the department.

14. Participate in new hire orientation training process for al new employees.
15. Work with management to develop company wide safety policies and procedures.
16. Work with other WCA hyperbaric departments to assist with questions and education as needed.
17. Performs additional duties as requested.

CLINICAL / TECHNICAL 

1. Evaluates chamber equipment / supplies used in the chamber and ensures that they meet hospital biomedical department requirements as wel as al the safety requirements before they are permitted inside the chamber.

 2.Coordinates and approves al upgrades, modification, and repairs to the chamber system, including
the interaction with hospital maintenance personnel and outside contractors.

3. Maintains a safe environment in the unit for patients and staff and ensures the adequate and safe decompression of al personnel with a hyperbaric exposure. 

3. Informs personnel of any special working conditions such as infection control, hazardous material control, confined spaces, etc. and provides adequate training for those environments.

4. Participate in chamber drills, which are tailored towards improving staff response to emergency operations.  Generates and supervises chamber drils which are tailored towards improving staff response to
emergency operations

5. Participates in the department and hospitals continuous quality improvement and risk management programs with the focus of improving the quality of services provided

6. Serves as the department’s technical trainer for ful time and PRN staff. Provides in-services related
to the appropriate aspects of hyperbaric physiology, decompression tables, equipment operations
and safety, and treatment protocols.

7.  Validates new hyperbaric operator before final completion of hyperbaric training.

INTERACTIVE
1. Consistently utilizes time effectively and takes measures to ensure that the workday is productive
and organized.
2. Complies with department requirement for continuing education and maintains an active
participation in hospital and hyperbaric related organizations. (JCAHO, NFPA, UHMS, ASME, DAN,
NBDHMT etc.).
3. Attends annual off campus education seminars and training to continually maintain a current
knowledge base for the industry codes and regulations.
4. Demonstrates interpersonal competencies such as independent problem solving, negotiation, and
conflict management.
5. Coordinates with the Medical Director, Program Director, and Safety Director in reviewing and
documenting safety related events and reports appropriate items to facilitate staff education

QUALIFICATIONS
1. High school graduate.
2. Certification as a Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) preferred. If licensed as a CHT, al related pathway
licensure or equivalent licensure required to obtain a CHT license must be maintained and up to
date.
3. Certified or licensed as an EMT, MA, CNA, LVN, RT, or other based on a case by case basis.
4. CPR certified.
5. Provides documentation or credentials of graduation from an accredited medical school, training
course or equivalent medical training.
6. A minimum of one (1) year experience in the medical field.
7. Must attend a UHMS approved introduction to hyperbaric medicine course.
8. Must possess good verbal, written, and electronic communications skils.
9. Basic knowledge of NFPA - 99, NFPA – 55, PVHO, CGA, US Navy Dive Tables, NBDHMT, UHMS,
and other related hyperbaric codes, standards, & organizations.
10. Basic training and experience in chamber maintenance, and operations.
11. Demonstrates the ability to perform the behaviors as outlined in the position summary.
12. Possesses the ability to physicaly meet the strenuous demands required of the job.
13. Ability to carry out detailed written or verbal instructions independently.
14. Must maintain an active status on al licenses and certifications required for the position. Failure to do
so will result in a suspension from work until active status is obtained.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
1. Work in an office environment with adequate light, heat and ventilation.
2. Lifting: Single person lift (wheelchair to exam table), Two-Person lift (wheelchair or gurney to exam
table) and lighter lifting with moderate frequency.
3. Near visual and hearing acuity with or without accommodation to distinguish changes in patient
physical status and/or read documents and computer screen.
4. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Work in an office environment with adequate light, heat and ventilation.
2. Lifting: Single person lift (wheelchair to exam table), Two Person lift (wheelchair or gurney to exam
table) and lighter lifting with moderate frequency.
3. Near visual and hearing acuity with or without accommodation to distinguish changes in patient
physical status and/or read documents and computer screen.
4. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk.