Respiratory Technician Onboarding Checklist

Respiratory Technician Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Respiratory Technician starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Healthcare onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Respiratory Technician, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Respiratory Technician onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Respiratory Technician Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The new respiratory technician attends a comprehensive orientation program that introduces them to the company’s mission, values, policies, and procedures. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated orientation coordinator.

2. Facility Tour: The new respiratory technician is given a tour of the healthcare facility, including the respiratory therapy department, to familiarize themselves with the layout, equipment, and key areas. This task is usually performed by a senior respiratory technician or a department supervisor.

3. Introduction to Team Members: The new respiratory technician is introduced to their colleagues and other team members within the respiratory therapy department. This task may be performed by the department supervisor or a designated team member.

4. Review of Job Description: The new respiratory technician is provided with a detailed review of their job description, including their roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations. This task is typically performed by the department supervisor or a designated mentor.

5. Training on Equipment and Technology: The new respiratory technician receives training on the specific equipment, devices, and technology used in their role, such as ventilators, oxygen therapy devices, and electronic medical record systems. This task is usually performed by experienced respiratory technicians or specialized trainers.

6. Compliance and Safety Training: The new respiratory technician undergoes training on compliance with healthcare regulations, infection control protocols, and safety procedures to ensure a safe working environment for themselves and patients. This task is typically performed by the hospital’s compliance officer or a designated safety trainer.

7. Review of Policies and Procedures: The new respiratory technician is provided with an overview of the company’s policies and procedures related to patient care, documentation, privacy, and confidentiality. This task is usually performed by the department supervisor or a designated trainer.

8. Shadowing and Observation: The new respiratory technician spends time shadowing experienced respiratory technicians to observe and learn from their daily tasks, patient interactions, and problem-solving approaches. This task is typically coordinated by the department supervisor or a designated mentor.

9. Hands-on Training: The new respiratory technician receives hands-on training on performing various respiratory therapy procedures, such as administering oxygen therapy, conducting pulmonary function tests, and assisting with intubation. This task is usually performed by experienced respiratory technicians or specialized trainers.

10. Documentation and Charting Training: The new respiratory technician undergoes training on proper documentation and charting practices, including electronic medical record systems, to ensure accurate and timely recording of patient information. This task is typically performed by the department supervisor or a designated trainer.

11. Continuing Education Opportunities: The new respiratory technician is informed about the company’s continuing education programs, workshops, conferences, and online resources to enhance their knowledge and skills in respiratory therapy. This task is usually performed by the department supervisor or the hospital’s education coordinator.

12. Performance Evaluation and Feedback: The new respiratory technician is informed about the company’s performance evaluation process and provided with regular feedback to support their professional growth and development. This task is typically performed by the department supervisor or a designated mentor.

13. Introduction to Support Services: The new respiratory technician is introduced to support services within the healthcare facility, such as the pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, and other departments they may interact with during their role. This task may be performed by the department supervisor or a designated liaison.

14. Review of Emergency Response Protocols: The new respiratory technician is trained on emergency response protocols, including code blue procedures, fire safety, and disaster management, to ensure they can effectively respond to critical situations. This task is typically performed by the hospital’s emergency management team or a designated trainer.

15. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The new respiratory technician is introduced to the concept of interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of working closely with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive patient care. This task may be performed by the department supervisor or a designated liaison.

16. Introduction to Quality Improvement Initiatives: The new respiratory technician is informed about the company’s quality improvement initiatives and encouraged to actively participate in identifying areas for improvement and implementing evidence-based practices. This task may be performed by the department supervisor or a designated quality improvement coordinator.

17. Review of Ethical Guidelines: The new respiratory technician is provided with an overview of ethical guidelines and principles in healthcare, including patient autonomy, confidentiality, and informed consent, to ensure they adhere to ethical standards in their practice. This task may be performed by the hospital’s ethics committee or a designated trainer.

18. Introduction to Professional Organizations: The new respiratory technician is informed about professional organizations, such as the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and encouraged to join and actively participate in their activities to stay updated with advancements in respiratory therapy. This task may be performed by the department supervisor or a designated mentor.

19. Introduction to Research Opportunities: The new respiratory technician is informed about research opportunities within the company or in collaboration with academic institutions, encouraging them to contribute to the advancement of respiratory therapy through evidence-based practice. This task may be performed by the department supervisor or a designated research coordinator.

20. Review of Employee Benefits and Policies: The new respiratory technician is provided with information about employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and vacation policies, as well as company policies related to attendance, leave, and professional development. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated benefits coordinator

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Respiratory Technician checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Respiratory Technician up to speed and working well in your Healthcare team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.