Respiratory Therapist Lead

About the role

Partners with the Director to facilitate safe, effective, and efficient patient care, which is outcome based and patient-centered. Manages the day-to-day operations of the respiratory therapy and sleep center departments. Directs and supervises respiratory therapists. Maintains clinical competency in all aspects of respiratory therapy and sleep technology, assisting the respiratory staff, overseeing contracted sleep technicians and providing direct patient care. Interacts with the medical staff and all departments within the organization. Works with Clinical Nurse Educator to assess staff competency and teach clinical skills. Provides age-specific and developmentally appropriate care for neonate, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates department functions: Coordinates daily operations of the department. Initiates and collaborates with department and interdisciplinary teams/committees on process improvement. Assists the Director/Manager with the departments on-going staffing needs, scheduling and hiring process. Demonstrates understanding of interdepartmental relationships. Serves as a liaison to other departments to promote continuity of care. Provides leadership for the department in the absence of the Director / Manager.
• Promotes safe patient and family centered care: Serves as a resource and support person in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of respiratory care in the department. Is clinically proficient enough to practice safely and maintain credibility with departments staff and the Medical Staff. Maintains current knowledge of trends and advances in respiratory practice, sleep practice and professional leadership. Collaborates with the Director/Manager in investigations of safety, quality and patient concerns.
• Develops staff by providing staff feedback, coaching and annual evaluations. Partners with the Director/Manager on departmental and organizational goals and initiatives: Leads and / or assists departmental quality initiatives. Completes quality audits as needed. Completes the assigned tasks following the outlined time frame. Ensures sleep accreditation processes / requirements are current and in place. Providing and monitoring therapeutic treatment administration: Medical gases, aerosols, humidification, and pharmacological agents related to respiratory care procedures, but not including administration of general anesthesia. Application and monitoring of mechanical ventilatory support. Providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of natural airways and insertion and maintenance of artificial airways. Assessing and monitoring signs, symptoms, and general behavior relating to, and general physical response to, respiratory care treatment or evaluation for treatment and diagnostic testing, including determination of whether the signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general response exhibit abnormal characteristics. Assisting hemodynamic monitoring and support of the cardiopulmonary system. Assessing and making suggestions for modifications in the treatment regimen based on abnormalities, protocols, or changes in patient response to respiratory care treatment. Obtaining physiological specimens and interpreting physiological data including: Analyzing arterial and venous blood gases. Assessing respiratory secretions; Measuring ventilatory volumes, pressures, and flows; Testing pulmonary function; Testing and studying the cardiopulmonary system; and Diagnostic and therapeutic testing of breathing patterns related to sleep disorders. Instructing patients and their families in techniques for the prevention, alleviation, and rehabilitation of deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases of the cardiopulmonary system; and Transcribing and implementing verbal, written, or telecommunicated orders from a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant for respiratory care services.

Requirements

• Current RRT license with The National Board of Respiratory Care, in good standing
• Current Respiratory Therapist license with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, in good standing
• Current BLS must be enrolled in NH+C RQI program and complete the requirements within 90 days of enrollment. Must remain current (complete quarterly assignments prior to the end of each calendar quarter).
• Current ACLS must be enrolled in NH+C RQI program and complete the requirements within 90 days of enrollment. Must remain current (complete quarterly assignments prior to the end of each calendar quarter).
• Current PALS must be enrolled in NH+C RQI program and complete the requirements within 90 days of enrollment. Must remain current (complete quarterly assignments prior to the end of each calendar quarter).
• Current NRP certification (if not current will need to obtain in the first 6 months)
• Initial Crisis Prevention Certification (CPI) within six months.
• Workplace Violence education in New Employee Orientation and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

• Three years critical care experience
• Reliable, mature skills in judgement, organization, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written English

Skills

• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Quality assurance
• Emergency response
• Communication
• Education

Benefits

• Paid Time Off accrued starting on first paycheck
• Medical, Dental, and Vision (discount plan) coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plan (PERA) with 7.5% employer match
• Optional 457(b) Retirement Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Loan Forgiveness Eligibility – PSLF + MN state programs for qualifying roles
• Employer-Provided Certifications + Continuing Education
• Additional perks: Free On-Site Parking, Qualified Bilingual Staff Program, Employee Assistance Program, and discounts on cafeteria, scrubs, and OTC pharmacy items

Pay

The hourly wage range for this position is $39.48–$55.73. This range reflects the base salary for this position.

Schedule

Block Schedule: 8:00am – 8:00pm Every third weekend, rotating holidays One 8-hour office day every 2 weeks