TEAM LEADER RESPIRATORY CARE (36HRS/WEEK, 6AM-6PM)

About the Role

The Team Leader will lead a team of respiratory therapists, ensuring high standards of patient care and fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment. This role combines clinical expertise with leadership responsibilities, including patient care, staff development, quality assurance, and operational management.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to the respiratory care team, including assigning tasks, setting priorities, and ensuring adherence to hospital protocols and standards.
• Oversee daily operations of the Respiratory Care department, including scheduling, workflow management, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective delivery of care.
• Perform detailed assessments of patients' respiratory status, including evaluating lung sounds, breathing patterns, and oxygenation levels.
• Administer respiratory therapies such as oxygen, aerosolized treatments, and mechanical ventilation, according to established protocols and patient needs. Adjust ventilator settings and manage endotracheal tubes or tracheostomy tubes as needed.
• Conduct and interpret diagnostic tests such as arterial blood gases (ABGs) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) as ordered by the provider to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Provide prompt and effective response to respiratory emergencies, including advanced airway management and emergency resuscitation. Assist with intubation and extubation procedures as needed.
• Educate patients and families about respiratory care techniques, disease management, and care plans.
• Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated patient care.
• Prepare and maintain documentation related to patient care, departmental activities, and staff performance.
• Ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of respiratory care equipment and supplies.
• Ensure compliance with hospital protocols, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. Participate in quality improvement initiatives and continuing education to enhance respiratory care practices.
• Address and resolve any issues or concerns related to patient care, staff performance, or departmental operations in a timely and effective manner.
• Demonstrate flexibility with assignments within professional scope, duties, and licensure.
• Participate in hospital committees and contribute to organizational initiatives as needed.
• Engage in continuing education and professional development to stay current with advancements in respiratory care and leadership practices.

Requirements

• Graduate of an AMA-approved Respiratory Therapist program.
• Certification as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Current Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license in the state of Illinois.
• Current State of Illinois RRT license.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• NRP, ACLS, and PALS required within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in Respiratory Therapy.
• Proven experience in managing complex patient cases and leading a team of healthcare professionals.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively manage and motivate a team, handle complex situations, and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.

Benefits

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards, including:

• Competitive compensation with base pay within the range of USD $37.54 - USD $50.29 per hour, plus premium pay such as shift differential and on-call opportunities.
• Annual performance-based increases.
• Paid Time Off programs (for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE).
• Health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

• Exposure to Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets.
• Video Display Terminals: Average use.
• Blood and Body Fluids: Occasional contact with intravenous devices and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, stool, vomitus). Use of needleless IV system, universal precautions, and protective equipment minimize risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: None other than normal hospital environment exposure.

Sensory Requirements

• Speech: Required to communicate with patients, families, staff, and physicians. Ability to ask for help.
• Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, read reports, and interpret machine readings.
• Smell: Helpful to note the presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood, and for electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, calls for help, and patient verbalizations; ability to listen for lung, bowel, and heart sounds.
• Touch: Necessary to assess patients and distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Equipment such as oxygen tanks, pulmonary function screening machines, and pulse oximeters are lifted or carried. Tanks are lifted from floor level to waist and back down again. A pulmonary function screening machine is carried from the department to the patient's room; the distance varies. Pulse oximeters are carried from the department to the patient's room, distance varies.

Maximum Consecutive Time (minutes) During the Normal Workday

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive Use of Hands

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs (Normal weight: 5 lbs).
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally.
• Fine manipulation: Typing on a computer, using an omnicell, charting with pens, drawing up meds in syringes and administration, starting IVs.

Leg Strength

• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally.

Repetitive Use of Foot or Feet

Utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery, or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

• Inside hours: 6-40
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Average
• Special Hazards: Radiation (cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy), Chemical (drugs), Explosive (oxygen).
• Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation, e.g., gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.