Certified Respiratory Educator - Burlington Family Health Team (Burlington)

Job Description

Position: Certified Respiratory Educator

Job Type: Part-Time Contract (0.4 FTE) until March 31, 2024

Reporting to: Executive Director 

Closing Date: November 29, 2024

The Burlington Family Health Team (BFHT) is a primary care organization funded by the Ministry of Health. We offer health programs and services that focus on health promotion, disease prevention and chronic disease management. Our services are based in the community of Burlington and are provided by an interdisciplinary team of qualified health care professionals. 
We are a member of the Burlington Ontario Health Team and a partner in the delivery of the Community Remote Care Management (CRCM) Program which supports patients with self-management of COPD and CHF in their home. We seek to hire an enthusiastic and skilled Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE) to join our team and the CRCM Program. The ideal candidate is an intuitive, adaptable, self-directed health professional with a passion for patient education as well as a strong commitment to providing and improving team-based patient care in the community.
 

Position Summary:

As a valuable member of the professional interdisciplinary health care team, the CRE will support the Integrated Care Pathways for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Heart Failure (HR) and work collaboratively with the Community Remote Care Management Program Team to focus on preventing and managing chronic disease. The CRE also works with other BFHT primary care providers to assess and educate patients and their families/caregivers about lung health (i.e. asthma, COPD, etc.). 

Key Responsibilities:

• Work within their college standards of practice and the policies of BFHT for consent, assessment, intervention and documentation and employ respiratory education best practice strategies and standardized tools in accordance with industry recommendations, program standards and manuals. 
• Conduct assessments (e.g. spirometry), develop self-management action plans (e.g. pulmonary rehab), provide education to patients and families (e.g. smoking cessation) and link patients with appropriate community initiatives and services.
• Collaborate with members of the interprofessional primary care team to provide and/or encourage exercise as part of lung health management and to integrate lung health management programming to support comprehensive interdisciplinary approaches to patient care and education 
• Support individuals at risk of respiratory decline in developing the knowledge and skills to lead independent, safe, healthy, and productive lives.
• Deliver group and community-wide education on lung health topics, with a focus on health promotion, illness prevention and self-management
• Communicate effectively with patients, family members and caregivers in the provision of care and education utilizing motivational techniques to inspire long term behaviour modification.
• Maintain complete and accurate patient records utilizing the Telus Collaborative Health Record (CHR) 
• Actively participate in program planning, evaluation, quality improvement, reporting and other BFHT initiatives as required
• Connect and build relationships with community partners
• Maintain professional competence through participation in professional development activities
• Safeguard client records and assure confidentiality of client information in compliance with PHIPA
   

Qualifications and experience:

• A licensed Ontario Regulated Health Professional (RHPA) or Registered Cardiopulmonary Technologist or Respiratory Technologist or Kinesiologist with experience in spirometry testing; CRE preferred
• Demonstrated competency in Spirometry testing in accordance with ATS/ERS Standards
• A skilled tobacco cessation counsellor – TEACH training preferred
• A strong understanding of respiratory care interventions for chronic disease management and evidence-based best practices 
• Proven skills in patient education and group facilitation with a strong understanding of adult education modalities and behavior change theories and frameworks
• Experience in a community-based or clinical health service organization
• Demonstrate a high level of autonomy and expert skills in assessment, intervention and evaluation of lung health management
• Demonstrated ability to assist patients and family members with concern and empathy, respecting their confidentiality and privacy and communicating in a courteous and respectful manner
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• High degree of resourcefulness, flexibility and adaptability 
• Ability to work well independently and work effectively within an interdisciplinary health care team, provide leadership and maintain excellent working relationships
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of and adherence to the Personal Health Information Privacy Act
• Respects and values the diversity of communities and individuals and able to integrate equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles and anti-oppressive practices to improve access to care
• Background check, including vulnerable sector check is required. 
• Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a vehicle as outreach in the community and home visits are required
• The ability to offer services in a second language is an asset 
   

Work Location:

The work environment for this position involves providing in-person services in a variety of community settings (including but not limited to primary care clinic, mobile clinics, patient’s home, shelters and other community settings). The applicant must have access to a vehicle and is reimbursed for mileage. Weekend and/or on-call coverage may be required. 

Why Join Our Team:

We offer a competitive compensation package, including HOOPP pension. We are a dynamic and innovative team focused on supporting our community and our multi-disciplinary approach to care offers cross-collaboration and enhanced opportunities for learning. We offer a culture that is respectful, welcoming and inclusive, we have a strong health and safety focus and are committed to supporting a work/life balance for our team members.