Respiratory Therapy Technician Onboarding Checklist

Respiratory Therapy Technician Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Respiratory Therapy 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 Therapy Technician, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Respiratory Therapy Technician onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Respiratory Therapy Technician Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The new respiratory therapy 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 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 therapist or a department supervisor.

3. Introduction to Team Members: The new technician is introduced to their colleagues, including other respiratory therapists, nurses, physicians, and support staff. This allows them to establish relationships and understand the roles and responsibilities of each team member. The introduction is typically facilitated by a supervisor or a designated mentor.

4. Review of Policies and Procedures: The new technician is provided with a comprehensive review of the company’s policies and procedures related to respiratory therapy, including infection control, patient privacy, emergency protocols, and documentation requirements. This task is usually performed by a senior respiratory therapist or a department supervisor.

5. Training on Equipment and Technology: The new technician receives training on the specific respiratory therapy equipment and technology used in the facility, such as ventilators, oxygen delivery systems, and pulmonary function testing devices. This training is typically conducted by experienced respiratory therapists or equipment specialists.

6. Shadowing Experienced Technicians: The new technician shadows experienced respiratory therapy technicians to observe and learn from their daily tasks and interactions with patients. This allows them to gain practical knowledge and understand the workflow in the department. The shadowing is usually coordinated by a supervisor or a designated mentor.

7. Review of Patient Population: The new technician receives an overview of the patient population they will be working with, including common respiratory conditions, age groups, and specific patient needs. This task is typically performed by a senior respiratory therapist or a department supervisor.

8. Review of Documentation and Charting: The new technician is trained on the proper documentation and charting procedures specific to respiratory therapy, ensuring accurate and timely recording of patient information. This training is usually conducted by a senior respiratory therapist or a department supervisor.

9. Review of Safety Protocols: The new technician is educated on safety protocols and procedures related to respiratory therapy, including infection control, handling hazardous materials, and emergency response. This task is typically performed by a senior respiratory therapist or a department supervisor.

10. Continuing Education Opportunities: The new technician is informed about the company’s continuing education programs and opportunities for professional development in respiratory therapy. This may include workshops, conferences, online courses, or certifications. The information is usually provided by the human resources department or a designated education coordinator.

11. Introduction to Electronic Health Records (EHR): The new technician receives training on the facility’s electronic health record system, including how to navigate, input data, and retrieve patient information. This training is typically conducted by the facility’s health information management department or a designated EHR trainer.

12. Performance Expectations and Evaluation: The new technician is provided with clear performance expectations and informed about the evaluation process, including performance reviews and feedback mechanisms. This task is typically performed by a supervisor or a department manager.

13. Introduction to Quality Improvement Initiatives: The new technician is introduced to the facility’s quality improvement initiatives and encouraged to actively participate in identifying areas for improvement and implementing evidence-based practices. This introduction is usually facilitated by a quality improvement coordinator or a designated team member.

14. Review of Emergency Response Procedures: The new technician is trained on emergency response procedures specific to respiratory therapy, including code blue situations, airway management, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This training is typically conducted by a certified instructor or a designated emergency response team member.

15. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The new technician is educated on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare and encouraged to actively engage with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care. This introduction is typically facilitated by a supervisor or a designated mentor.

16. Review of Ethical and Legal Responsibilities: The new technician is provided with an overview of their ethical and legal responsibilities as a respiratory therapy technician, including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries. This task is usually performed by a senior respiratory therapist or a department supervisor.

17. Introduction to Research and Evidence-Based Practice: The new technician is introduced to the concept of research and evidence-based practice in respiratory therapy and encouraged to stay updated with the latest research findings and guidelines. This introduction is typically facilitated by a senior respiratory therapist or a designated research coordinator.

18. Introduction to Quality Assurance and Compliance: The new technician is educated on the facility’s quality assurance and compliance programs, including regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and reporting mechanisms. This task is typically performed by a quality assurance coordinator or a designated team member.

19. Introduction to Patient and Family Education: The new technician is trained on the importance of patient and family education in respiratory therapy and provided with resources and strategies to effectively communicate and educate patients and their families. This training is usually conducted by a senior respiratory therapist or a designated patient education coordinator.

20. Introduction to Professional Organizations: The new technician is informed about professional organizations in respiratory therapy, such as the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and encouraged to join and actively participate in these organizations for networking and professional growth. This information is typically provided by the human resources department or a designated education coordinator

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Respiratory Therapy Technician checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Respiratory Therapy 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.