Director, Respiratory Therapy

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategy, Leadership, and Program Development
• Develops and executes a comprehensive strategy for respiratory and pulmonary services aligned with Institute priorities, including growth in ambulatory care, diagnostic services, and interdisciplinary oncology care programs
• Establishes departmental goals, service standards, and performance metrics in collaboration with medical leadership and institutional partners
• Led the development and evaluation of respiratory care programs and service models to meet evolving patient care needs
• Represents respiratory services in institutional committees, professional organizations, and collaborative clinical initiatives
• Clinical Practice Oversight
• Establishes and maintains evidence-based respiratory care practice standards and clinical protocols across care settings
• Oversees delivery of respiratory therapy services including airway management support, oxygen therapy, aerosolized medications, and cardiopulmonary monitoring
• Serves as a clinical resource and consultant on respiratory and pulmonary care matters for interdisciplinary clinical teams
• Operational Management and Service Delivery
• Leads daily operations of respiratory therapy and pulmonary diagnostic services, including staffing models, workflow design, and service coverage across care locations
• Oversees respiratory therapist scheduling, resource allocation, and operational readiness to support clinical demand and emergency response capabilities
• Ensures readiness and compliance of respiratory care equipment and pulmonary testing systems, including maintenance, calibration, and quality control processes
• Coordinates respiratory services across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and affiliated care locations
• Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance
• Ensures compliance with applicable regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards governing respiratory therapy and pulmonary diagnostic services
• Leads departmental participation in institutional quality and patient safety initiatives
• Develops and monitors performance indicators related to respiratory care quality, patient safety, and operational performance
• Oversee departmental quality improvement activities, including audits, incident review, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Financial Management and Resource Stewardship
• Develops and manages departmental budgets including personnel, supplies, equipment, and capital resources
• Maintains operational and financial performance and implement strategies to improve efficiency and resource utilization
• Evaluates equipment and technology needs supporting respiratory therapy and pulmonary diagnostics
• Promotes alignment of staffing and resource allocation with patient care demand
• Workforce Development and Human Resource Management
• Recruits, hires, develops, and retains respiratory care staff including respiratory therapists, pulmonary function technologists, and support personnel
• Establishes competency standards and ensures appropriate orientation, training, and certification maintenance for staff
• Provides performance management, mentorship, and career development opportunities for staff and emerging leaders
• Promotes a professional practice environment that supports collaboration, accountability, and clinical excellence
• Data, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement
• Establishes and monitors key operational and clinical metrics including respiratory therapy service utilization, pulmonary diagnostic volumes, response times, and patient outcomes
• Utilizes data and performance analytics to drive operational improvements, standardization, and service optimization
• Supports reporting requirements related to quality, regulatory compliance, and departmental performance
• Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Care Integration
• Collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing leadership, and interdisciplinary teams to integrate respiratory services into patient care pathways
• Supports education and consultation for clinical staff regarding respiratory care practices and pulmonary health management
• Participates in institutional initiatives supporting clinical research, program development, and patient education related to pulmonary and respiratory care

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of respiratory therapy principles, cardiopulmonary physiology, and pulmonary diagnostic testing
• Strong understanding of clinical respiratory care practices, including airway management, oxygen therapy, aerosolized medications, and ventilatory support concepts
• Knowledge of pulmonary function testing methodologies, equipment calibration, and quality control standards
• Knowledge of healthcare regulatory and accreditation requirements relevant to respiratory therapy practice and diagnostic services
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex clinical operations in a high-acuity healthcare environment
• Strong financial and operational management skills including budgeting, resource planning, and operational performance monitoring
• Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence clinical and operational stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with experience using data to support decision-making and process improvement
• Proficiency with healthcare information systems and electronic medical records supporting respiratory therapy documentation and pulmonary diagnostic workflows
• Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive information and clinical operations

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Care, Pulmonary Science, Health Sciences, Health Administration, or a related field required
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in respiratory care, including clinical leadership or management experience within respiratory therapy, pulmonary diagnostics, or cardiopulmonary services required
• Experience in oncology, academic medical centers, or complex ambulatory care environments required