Tri-City Medical Center has served San Diego County’s coastal communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, as well as the surrounding region for more than 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County. Tri-City is administered by the Tri-City Healthcare District, a California Hospital District. As a full-service acute care public hospital with over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens. The hospital has received a Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission showcasing a commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community. 

Tri-City Medical Center prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health services while also specializing in world-class robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City’s Emergency Department is there for your loved ones in their time of need and is highly regarded for our heart attack and stroke treatment programs. When minutes matter, Tri-City is your source for quality compassionate care close to home. Tri-City partners with over 90 local non-profit and community organizations as part of our COASTAL Commitment initiative. Together we are helping tackle some of our communities’ pressing health and social needs.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Hyperbaric Supervisor/Safety Manager/Program Director, the individual in this position will act as the control operator during clinical treatment using hyperbaric (HBOT) chambers.  The individual accepts responsibility and accountability for working within the framework of appropriate regulatory body and follows wound care and hospital policies and procedures.  The individual will comply with hospital (if applicable) and nursing philosophy and standards while performing job duties and responsibilities and will demonstrate competence in these essential functions through the ability to perform functions, including, but not limited to, the common examples listed.

Major Position Responsibilities:

The position characteristics reflect the most important duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job in a fully competent manner. They should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The characteristics of the position and standards of performance may be changed by TCMC with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Maintains a safe, clean working environment, including unit based safety and infection control requirements.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the Standards of Care for wound care and the role of HBO therapy, and the different approved clinical indications and treatment protocols for HBO treatment.
• Delivers care to the patient immediately prior to, during, and immediately following the HBO treatment that is consistent with existing policies within his/her scope of practice and documents all aspects of that care.
• Monitors and ensures the proper delivery of treatment gas as ordered.
• Monitors the patients continually during treatments for symptoms of oxygen intolerance, claustrophobia, hypoglycemic reactions, decompression sickness or any other adverse reaction to HBO treatments.
• Under the direction of the Physician, Hyperbaric Supervisor, Nurse Manager or designee, appropriately intervenes in the event of an adverse reaction and follows established protocols.
• Demonstrates competence in reinforcing age specific patient and family education on common topics related to the HBO therapy and related underlying disease processes.
• Demonstrates competence in performing ordered treatments including but not limited to vital signs, blood sugars, and emergency procedures consistent with existing policies and within his/her scope of practice.
• Documents required elements of each treatment in a clear, concise manner that includes a description of the chamber settings, duration of treatment, patient response to the procedure, and any other relevant observations made.
• Demonstrates and applies basic knowledge about HBOT chamber operations to ensure efficacy of treatment and safety of the patient and those in the immediate area.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the basic physiological principles/concepts of the HBO treatment and incorporates them into the treatment process.
• Operates controls to pressurize and depressurize the chamber according to prescribed policies for clinical indications and physician orders.
• Maintains accurate logs and records of the time, pressures, depths, etc. of chamber operations according to established protocols.
• Performs maintenance of the hyperbaric chamber(s) and related support systems under the guidance of the HBOT Program Director/Safety Coordinator.
• Cleans chamber following each treatment, according to recommendation of manufacturer, and in accordance with established facility infection control policies.
• Maintains emergency equipment and supplies located in the HBO area. Documents equipment checks as required by established policies.
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Qualifications:

• Minimum 12 months of recent practical experience in clinical hyperbaric medicine, required.
• Working understanding of the codes and regulations that govern the operation of a hyperbaric medicine facility, required.
• Demonstrates a high degree of skill in HBO therapy, chamber operations, basic EKG monitoring, and emergency care, taking initiative and working independently in a fast paced environment, required.
• Able to complete a two-person lift, wheelchair to exam table or bed to stretcher, required.
• Intermediate computer software skills including word processing and spreadsheet functions, required. 

Education: 

• High school diploma or GED, required.

Licenses:

• One of the following required:
  • Licensed Respiratory Therapist with current license in good standing,
  • Medical Technician Certification with current certification in good standing,
  • License Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) with current state license in good standing,
  • Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic or equivalent with certification in good standing 

Certifications:

• Current BLS certification; American Heart Association Healthcare Provider, required. 
• Hyperbaric Tech Safety Officer certification, preferred.
• Certification in Hyperbaric Technology, required.

Each new hire candidate who is offered employment must pass a physical evaluation, urine drug screen and pre-employment background checks before starting work.

*Salary/Hourly Wage range based on experience.

TCHD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.