Respiratory Therapy Director directs the programs and staff of the respiratory therapy department. Oversees the provision of diagnostic, treatment, and educational services for patients with respiratory disorders. Being a Respiratory Therapy Director develops and implements respiratory care services in accordance with the policies of the hospital and the directives of the medical staff. Monitors patient progress and treatment plans. Additionally, Respiratory Therapy Director manages departmental budgets and reports, and maintains department records and statistics. Requires an advanced degree. Typically reports to top management. Requires Registered Respiratory Therapist. The Respiratory Therapy Director typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. To be a Respiratory Therapy Director typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)
Posting Specifics
Job Essentials
Equipment/Supply:
Orders and maintains appropriate levels of supplies and equipment.
Cleans, sterilizes, and processes respiratory equipment.
Follows appropriate procedures for obtaining and returning or cleaning and disposing of equipment and supplies.
Tracks respiratory equipment usage throughout the facility.
Notifies the appropriate department of repair needs and potential hazards.
Maintains equipment, where appropriate, according to proper protocols.
Maintains a clean, neat, and safe environment for patients and staff.
Assembles and delivers equipment or supplies to patient rooms or Respiratory Therapists.
Data Outcomes:
Performs low acuity reviews of data.
Data entry and extraction.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME)Discharges:
Reviews patient chart for DME insurance coverage.
Presents patient choice information and documents patient choice.
Assembles all regulatory required documentation or forms for DME.
Reviews DME discharge documents with Respiratory Therapist prior to faxing to DME company.
Coordinates calls and additional information to DME company in preparation for patient discharge with DME.
Performs follow up calls to patients after discharge to ensure smooth transition (e.g., date/time oxygen delivered by vendor to patient at home).
RT Student Clinical Orientation:
Provides Respiratory Therapist students with pre-clinical tour of facility and units.
Blood Gas:
Performs arterial blood gas punctures and running of samples as applicable to the facility.
Performs equipment maintenance and quality control per defined processes and schedules.
Patient Calls:
Assists and coordinates with the Respiratory Therapy/Pulmonary Disease Navigator with arranging appointments (e.g., follow up clinic and physician appointments, community outreach services).
EKG's:
Performs EKG's as applicable to the facility.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma as required by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and College of American Pathologists (CAP).
Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) for healthcare providers.
Basic computer skills (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, email and database program experience).
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in a healthcare related environment.
Completion of the RT Extender/Aid training course.
Inventory and distribution experience.
Experience working with mechanical and electronic devices.
Experience with phone etiquette.
Phlebotomy experience.
EKG experience.
Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, and identify equipment and supplies.
Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.
Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, and medication preparation, etc.
Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement including bending to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.
Need to walk to obtain and distribute supplies and equipment. This includes pushing and pulling portable equipment, including heavy items. Often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms that are full of equipment, power cords, etc.
May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.