Full-time Director of Respiratory Therapy

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Director of Respiratory Services

Effective Date: October 24, 2021

Supervisor: Director of Rehabilitation Services

Department: Respiratory Therapy

FLSA Status: Exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Oversees all respiratory services provided by the hospital, including: the sleep lab, pulmonary rehabilitation program, pulmonary function testing, cardiac stress testing, and all other outpatient and inpatient procedures and therapy performed by the respiratory therapy staff.
2. Supervises, plans, directs, schedules and evaluates the performance of all respiratory therapy staff.
3. Works closely with the Chief Financial Officer on budget and expenditures that relate to the Respiratory Therapy department. Negotiates service contracts with service vendors that fit the budget needs of the facility. Works closely with the accounts payable department on contracts and services for vendors.
4. Responsible for developing, augmenting, and implementing strategic planning for the Respiratory Therapy department.
5. Evaluates and assures standards of quality and safety, tracks and updates department statistics, chart audits and patient charges, and participates in hospital quality management program.
6. Delegates responsibilities and manages workflow of respiratory therapy department.
7. Ensures all respiratory equipment is in proper working order and provides maintenance as necessary. Performs/schedules annual Biomed checks and monthly equipment checks as necessary.
8. Reviews statistical information for the department and collaborates with the marketing department on appropriate marketing campaigns that parallel with the department needs.
9. Serves on various committees as assigned.
10. Assumes role and responsibility of Respiratory Therapists as needed.
11. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)
12. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste.
13. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
14. Responsible for proper collection, storage and labeling of biological specimens.
15. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
16. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, etc).
17. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.
18. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Knowledge of respiratory care therapies, policies, procedures and best practices; knowledge of equipment operation and basic computer skills to document procedures and assessments as is typically acquired through the completion of an Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care from an accredited school. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
2. Current licensure as a Registered Respiratory Therapist from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
3. Current Basic Life Support certification via American Heart Association required.
4. Two years of Respiratory clinical experience required.
5. Ability to stay current on current Respiratory Care practices, procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines according to the American Association of Respiratory Care.
6. Knowledge of proper billing and charging procedures.
7. Attention to detail up to 85% of work time when assessing patients, completing patient documentation, completing reports, etc.
8. Analytical skills to troubleshoot problems with equipment, observe and evaluate patient status, etc.
9. Advanced communication skills to educate patients and families, correspond with other healthcare professionals regarding a patient's plan of care, etc. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
10. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.
11. Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
12. Ability to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees and regulatory agencies.
13. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities.

Working conditions

1. Spends up to 6 hours of work day, 50% of shift completing desk work. Rest of shift is spent completing patient care activities. Patient transferring is required for care up to 35 pounds 5% of work time. Required to transport various equipment for patient care activities: COWs for documentation, oxygen tank carts, compressed air tank carts, single canisters of oxygen/compressed air, percussion machine, etc. for 15% of work time, up to 20 pounds of horizontal force in hallways up to 300 feet in distance and up to 45 pounds of horizontal force to get over threshold into rooms 2 feet in distance. Required to use percussion tool, which weighs 2-3 pounds and creates vibration, and hold up to a patient for percussion 10-40 minutes depending on patient diagnosis. Supplies are to be stocked at various times, from 4 ¾ inch from floor up to 70 ¾ inch height shelves to be reached daily and 90 ¼ inch height monthly. Oxygen tanks, weighing 10 pounds when full, and compressed air tanks, weighing 15 pounds when full, are to be filled and transported to carts to be utilized for patient care 10% of work time. During emergency situations, CPR is a job duty that will need to be performed and may require performance in different body positions.
2. Frequent exposure to infections, contagious diseases, hazardous anesthetic agents and body fluids and wastes up to 60% of the time. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases and to hazards of flammable, explosive gases, up to 30% of the time. Occasional exposure to unpleasant patient or unit elements, up to 10% of the time.
3. Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.
4. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment.

Management responsibilities

1. Responsible for Respiratory Therapists.

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required."