Pulmonary Disease Navigator - Respiratory Therapy

Pulmonary Disease Navigator:

Job Profile Summary 

This role focuses on assessing the needs of patients who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and delivering therapy services to improve their developmental, physical or cognitive impairment. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Respiratory Therapy duties: Evaluates patients and helps them improve physical and mental conditions through treating cardiopulmonary related dysfunction. A clinical technologist role that has specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, and experience. This role will be most commonly applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs.  An experienced level role requiring basic knowledge of job procedures and tools obtained through work experience and requiring vocational or technical education.  Works under moderate supervision, works through problems of a routine nature, but may at times require interpretation or deviation from standard procedures and communicates information that requires some explanation or interpretation.

Job Overview 

This position performs a variety of roles that focus on providing support, education, and care coordination to patients with pulmonary disease. Works with the multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, case managers, social workers, and other support services to assist pulmonary patients and their families through the continuum of care from admission to their transition home. This role plays an important role in ensuring patients understand their treatment plan, supporting the patient’s transition home, and coordinating follow-up needs to help prevent a decline in the patient’s condition. 

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Associate’s degree from an accredited Respiratory Care program. 

2. Massachusetts Respiratory Care Licensure. 

3. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). 

4. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification. 

5. Pulmonary Disease Educator Certification OR Obtain within six (6) months of hire. 

6. Three (3) year of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care, Health Sciences, or related degree. 

2. Five (5) years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. 

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Evaluates patients admitted with the following primary diagnoses: COPD, COPD Exacerbation, Respiratory Failure, Asthmatic Bronchitis, Status Asthmaticus and Asthma Exacerbation to determine the need for education and follow up. 

2. Assists Continuity of Care with Respiratory orders for discharge. 

3. Collaborates with the care team to provide a plan of care including, but not limited to: COPD action plan and education in the areas of smoking cessation, medications, oxygen therapy, delivery device training, advanced care planning, pulmonary rehabilitation and diagnostic testing. 

4. Provides materials appropriate for patient’s educational level/special needs including disease overview, triggers, medication schedule and side effects, correct metered dose inhaler technique, self-management skills, action plans, smoking cessation and referrals to Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Pulmonary Function Lab, if appropriate. 

5. Performs patient follow up calls. 

6. Maintains statistical data on COPD and Asthma admissions and readmissions, including disease specific length of stay, 30-day readmission rate, opportunities for improvement and barriers to optimal outcomes. 

7. Participates in the continuous quality improvement process. 

Physical Requirements:  

1. Ability to walk and stand for approximately 90% of the time. 

2. Ability to transport respiratory therapy equipment (up to 100 lbs) using carts or wheels on the equipment to and from patient areas.  

3. Ability to communicate with and assess the patient needs of different age populations. 

4. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard and or respiratory equipment. 

5. Requires ability to see computer screen and reports. 

Skills & Abilities: 

1. Medical terminology, physiology of the cardiopulmonary system, and Respiratory Science. 

2. Ability to communicate effectively with all professional staff as well as all patients. 

3. Ability to assess patient status and develop treatment plans. 

4. Ability to perform all required duties under emergency and stressful situations. 

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.

The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.

Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.

Pay Range:

$40.53 - $51.67

based on full-time equivalent