Clinical Specialist Respiratory

About the role

Performs routine and advanced respiratory care procedures according to established standards in the blood gas laboratory, adult critical care units, children’s hospital transport, pediatric/neonatal critical care units, emergency department, and/or general patient care areas of WVU Medicine. Develops and monitors practices and procedures in clinical specialty area. Adheres to the established performance expectations for WVU Medicine employees in the areas of people, service, performance improvement, and shared values and culture. Performs the duties and responsibilities within the scope of a Respiratory Therapist Clinical ladder as defined within the job description.

Responsibilities

• Perform all functions of a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• Serve as key clinical resource for area of responsibility.
• Monitor and assure clinical competency of Respiratory Care personnel in clinical area of responsibility.
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of Respiratory Care practices.
• Actively participate in achievement of goals and objectives of the Respiratory Care Department.
• Serve as a positive role model for Respiratory Care staff and other members of the healthcare team.
• Communicate appropriately and effectively with other members of the healthcare team regarding all aspects of patient care.
• Actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
• Complete special projects to assist in attainment of the goals and objectives of the department and the Hospital.
• Provides mentorship to new employees.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree.
• Licensed Respiratory Therapist by the applicable state where services will be performed:
  • MD: Respiratory Care Practitioner through Maryland Board of Physicians
  • OH: Respiratory Care Professional through Ohio Board of Medicine
  • PA: Respiratory Therapist through Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine
  • WV: Licensed Respiratory Therapist Registered (LRTR) through West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Two (2) years respiratory therapist experience.
• To be completed as established by department:
  • ACLS
  • PALS
  • NRP
  • STABLE
  • Point of Care Technician through the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy.

Skills

• Good interpersonal communication skills when in contact with public, patients, staff, and physicians.
• Multi-tasking, problem solving, and decision-making abilities.

Clinical Specialist Respiratory Ladder

The Clinical Specialist Respiratory Ladder is a system-wide clinical advancement program to enhance professional development, provide a reward system for quality clinical performance, promote quality respiratory care, and improve job satisfaction for respiratory therapists.

• Level 1
  • Two years of respiratory therapy experience.
  • Attains 2 points in any of the domains.
• Level 2
  • Meets requirements for previous level.
  • Six years of Respiratory Therapist experience.
  • Attains 4 points in any of the domains.
• Level 3
  • Meets requirements for previous levels.
  • Ten years of Respiratory Therapist experience, plus one specialty credential.
  • Attains 8 points in any of the domains.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to be on feet/walking extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull 40 pounds.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Cognizant of environmental factors, infection control issues, and maintains a safe environment for patient care.

Schedule

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Shift: Varied