RESPIRATORY THERAPY MANAGER

RESPIRATORY THERAPY MANAGER/DIRECTOR

POSITION SUMMARY

Clara Barton Hospital offers a family-oriented, dynamic environment centered around providing exceptional patient care and supporting the professional growth of our healthcare team.

The Respiratory Therapy Manager is responsible for the overall management, coordination, and clinical oversight of respiratory care services at Clara Barton Hospital. The manager position provides leadership to Respiratory Therapy staff while ensuring that respiratory care services are delivered safely, effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with physician orders, hospital policies and procedures, applicable federal and state regulations, and professional standards of practice.

The Manager is required to be specially trained and experienced in all respiratory care areas. They must be qualified to perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures related to the care of patients with acute and chronic respiratory ailments. The position provides direct patient care while maintaining responsibility for staffing, scheduling, annual staff competency, department operations, quality improvement, equipment and supply management, state and federal compliance, as well as professional development.

The Respiratory Therapy Manager reports to and works collaboratively with the Chief Operations Officer, Medical Director, and President/CEO of Clara Barton Hospital.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Full-time position

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Responsibilities

· Provide overall leadership, management, and clinical oversight of the Respiratory Therapy Department and all respiratory care services provided by Clara Barton Hospital in accordance with physician orders, hospital policies, and applicable standards of practice.

· Instruct patients in the proper use of respiratory care equipment and therapies in a thorough, professional, and understandable manner.

· Document all respiratory treatments, therapies, assessments, patient responses, and supplies utilized. Ensure accurate and timely processing of applicable charges.

· Communicate effectively with physicians, nurses, patients, families, and other healthcare professionals regarding patient status, therapeutic outcomes, recommendations, and changes in treatment.

· Perform routine and advanced respiratory therapy procedures independently and provide clinical support to staff as needed.

· Perform and oversee EKGs, heart monitor setup and monitoring, pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas (ABG) collection and analysis, and other special diagnostic procedures offered by the hospital.

· Provide and oversee Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation services in accordance with established protocols and professional standards.

· Maintain competency in airway management for adult, pediatric, and infant patients and demonstrate proficiency in emergency and critical care situations.

· Maintain knowledge of respiratory medications, including their indications, contraindications, expected responses, potential side effects, and appropriate dosages.

· Understand and appropriately interpret arterial blood gas results and utilize those results, within the therapist's scope of practice, to make appropriate clinical decisions and recommendations.

· Respond promptly and appropriately to respiratory and medical emergencies.

Department Management and Leadership

· Provide oversight, supervision, and direction to Respiratory Therapy staff and serve as a clinical subject matter expert.

· Develop and maintain staff schedules, including weekends, holidays, and on-call coverage, to ensure 24/7 respiratory care

· Staff are required to participate in on-call coverage after normal scheduled hours and must be available to respond to patient care needs, emergencies, staffing needs, and other departmental issues as required.

· Coordinate and construct respiratory training, annual competency assessments, continuing education, and professional development of the Respiratory Therapy staff.

· Monitor staff performance and provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations in accordance with hospital policies.

· Ensure Respiratory Therapy staff maintain all required licenses, certifications, competencies, continuing education, and other professional requirements.

· Maintain effective communication with hospital leadership regarding departmental operations, staffing, equipment needs, patient care concerns, quality indicators, and other respiratory therapy matters.

· Establish, review, and maintain departmental policies, procedures, protocols, and clinical standards in collaboration with hospital leadership and the Medical Director.

· Ensure department staff follow established hospital policies, procedures, infection prevention standards, safety requirements, and regulatory guidelines.

· Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, infection prevention, performance improvement, and other hospital initiatives related to respiratory care.

· Assist with departmental budget planning and monitor expenses, supplies, equipment, and resources to promote cost-effective operations.

· Identify departmental equipment and supply needs and make recommendations regarding purchasing, replacement, maintenance, and utilization.

· Order, receive, organize, and maintain adequate inventory of respiratory therapy supplies to support uninterrupted patient care.

· Ensure respiratory therapy equipment is appropriately cleaned, disinfected, sterilized, inspected, maintained, and stored according to manufacturer recommendations and hospital policy.

· Coordinate scheduling of outpatient respiratory and cardiopulmonary testing as applicable.

· Perform data entry and maintain accurate documentation in the Oracle Health system and other applicable hospital systems.

· Participate in hospital meetings, committees, education, emergency preparedness activities, and other organizational initiatives as assigned.

Professional Responsibilities

· Maintain current knowledge of respiratory therapy practice, healthcare information, technology, equipment, medications, and evidence-based clinical practices.

· Fulfill and maintain all continuing education requirements for Kansas licensure and the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

· Maintain required professional certifications, including BLS, ACLS, and PALS, as applicable to the position and hospital requirements.

· Demonstrate proficiency in emergency response and the ability to remain calm and effective under stressful or rapidly changing conditions.

· Works professionally and collaboratively with other departments, employees, students, patients, and families.

· Demonstrate effective communication skills and the ability to explain clinical information, procedures, and recommendations in a clear and understandable manner to patients, staff, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.

· Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Operations Officer, Medical Director, or President/CEO.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires a full range of body motion, including handling, lifting, repositioning, and moving patients; manual and finger dexterity; and eye-hand coordination. The position requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time and occasional lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds.

The position requires corrected vision and hearing within the normal range. The employee may be required to work under stressful conditions, respond to emergencies, work irregular hours, and participate in on-call coverage outside of normal business hours. The position may involve exposure to communicable diseases, blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials. Appropriate personal protective equipment and infection prevention practices must be utilized in accordance with hospital policy.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The Respiratory Manager must demonstrate:

· Strong clinical knowledge and respiratory therapy skills.

· Effective leadership and staff management abilities.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

· Sound clinical judgment and decision-making abilities.

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a healthcare team.

· Ability to perform routine and advanced respiratory therapy procedures.

· Proficiency in emergency and airway management.

· Commitment to patient safety, quality care, and regulatory compliance.

· Ability to educate patients, staff, students, and other healthcare professionals.

· Ability to maintain professional competency and continuing education requirements.

· Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Education

· Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited respiratory therapy program required.

· Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Management, or a related healthcare field preferred.

Licensure and Certifications

· Current, unrestricted Respiratory Therapist license in the State of Kansas required.

· Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). RRT is preferred.

· Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification are required for the position. Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) is not required, but preferred.

· Additional respiratory therapy certifications or specialty credentials are preferred.

Professional Experience

· Minimum of three (3) years of clinical respiratory therapy experience required.

· Previous supervisory, charge therapist, lead therapist, management, or departmental leadership experience preferred.

· Experience working independently in an acute-care hospital setting preferred.

· Demonstrated experience providing respiratory care to adult, pediatric, and/or infant patients.

· Experience with emergency and critical care respiratory management preferred.

· Experience with pulmonary function testing, ABG collection and analysis, EKGs, cardiac monitoring, and Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation preferred.

· Experience with staff scheduling, competency assessment, employee education, performance management, and departmental operations preferred.