Director of Respiratory Therapy

We have an immediate opportunity for Director of Respiratory Therapy.

General Summary: The Director of Respiratory Therapy provides guidance and control of the Respiratory Therapy Department in ways that result in profitable growth, financial conservation, and the highest quality of patient care. Acts as a clinical and administrative resource to physicians, administrators and others as required ensuring efficient operation of the department and positive interface with the facility. The Director is active in department activities, transdisciplinary team activities, and LifeCare activities to ensure individualized, patient-centered health care for all patient populations admitted to LifeCare Hospital.

Patient Population: Has contact with patients in a clinical setting; understands and demonstrates appropriate behavior when interacting with patients in the adult (18-65 years of age) and geriatric (65 and older) populations.

Essential Functions:

• Directs and evaluates operations concerning patient assessments, therapeutic patient treatments, procedures, diagnostic testing, and reporting of results in accordance with policies and procedures. Administers direct patient care according to the needs of the patients, respiratory department, staff, and the hospital.
• Maintains all respiratory equipment and ensures annual preventive maintenance is completed. Recommends new equipment purchases. Produces and maintains par levels of all respiratory supplies. Keeps RT storeroom in compliance according to fire and safety codes per state regulations.
• Maintains department records and statistics. Audits departmental documentation. Completes various hospital audits. Compiles data and prepares reports as requested.
• Provides leadership in the development of performance standards for all respiratory personnel. Evaluates and counsels all employees on their performance in a professional and timely manner. Plans and develops educational in-services for the department.
• Maintains the respiratory schedule to provide adequate staffing 24 hours a day. Provides alternative scheduling to best utilize the respiratory staff. Plans and leads department meetings in compliance with regulatory standards. Coordinates and participates in departmental and hospital-wide activities.
• Demonstrates the ability to function within fiscal limitations. Maintains the respiratory department’s budget. Monitors and controls resource utilization and expenditures of the respiratory department.
• The knowledge and skills necessary to perform the position requirements are demonstrated through the successful completion of competencies established for the position, to include population served, and other special needs of patients or customers, served by the department.
• Adheres to LifeCare policies, procedures, all safety plans, and all standards imposed by regulatory organizations.
• Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

Supervision: Directs the activities and personnel of Respiratory Department.

Experience: Five years of respiratory experience in an acute clinical environment including clinical management experience. Three years of critical care or comparable experience is preferred.

Education: Graduate of an AMA approved two or four-year Respiratory Therapy program or completion of an AMA approved program equivalency. Fulfillment of RRT requirements established by state and/or licensing agency or authority or CRTT who is eligible for registration (RRT) and successfully achieves within 6 months of hire into this role. Bachelor degree in Cardiopulmonary Science preferred.

Licensure/Certification: Current Respiratory Therapy license in the state where practicing is required. Current BLS certification is required and ACLS certification is required within six (6) months of hire. Current membership in State affiliation, National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) or American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) is desired. All Directors of Respiratory Therapy must maintain current licensure, BLS and ACLS certifications while employed with LifeCare Hospitals.