Manager of Respiratory

This position oversees and directs the daily operations of the Respiratory Therapy Department to support the needs of patients and hospital staff.  The employee is responsible for the development and implementation of standards of care, policies and procedures for the department.  This position has twenty-four (24) hour responsibility for the planning and scheduling of appropriate staff.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and maintains policies, procedures and patient care standards to meet current hospital policy, licensing requirements and JCAHO standards.  Coordinates with department leaders and medical staff to ensure that policies, procedures and standards are appropriate to meet the care needs of all age groups served: neonatal, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Monitors staff compliance with policies, procedures and standards of care.  Provides counsel and discipline on policies, procedures and standards of care appropriately in the daily supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Department.
•  Maintains a performance improvement monitoring system to measure patient care outcomes and identifies improvement opportunities.  Works within the hospital Performance Improvement system, utilizing tools and reporting mechanisms to demonstrate improvement over time.
•  Involves staff in the performance improvement processes for the department; i.e., problem identification, data collection, data assessment and follow up processes for measuring improvement.
•  Develops programs and protocols which are in compliance with national professional guidelines, i.e., National Board of Respiratory Care, American Association of Respiratory Care, and the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s standards.
•  Implements guidelines of the Relationship and Results Oriented Healthcare Model for delivery of nursing care, utilizing the recommended bundles of best practice.  Monitors staff adherence to RROHC Nursing Model.
•  Manages the Respiratory Therapy Department within the FTE and cost standards assigned, as well as within the department’s annual budget.
•  Prepares budget reports and purchase orders for equipment and supplies.
• Manages the department with efficient and effective use of equipment, supplies, linen, and other resources required for patient care.  Communicates with other leaders in planning for effectively utilizing these resources.  Manages equipment use in a safe and effective manner, preventing unnecessary repairs and replacement.
•  Monitors costs consistently to identify cost saving measures and opportunities.  Counsels staff on adhering to cost saving measures.
•  Ensures that appropriate number and skill level of staff are employed to meet the respiratory and cardiopulmonary needs of the hospital and that they are being utilized effectively.
•  Maintains current job descriptions for all positions within the department.
• Coordinates with and adheres to Human Resources’ policies and procedures in managing department staff.
• Conducts orientation for new staff members within an efficient timeframe, including safety and infection control practices specific to the department, and interdepartmental relationships.
• Assists with managing, documenting and investigating incidents and accidents to determine contributing factors and details regarding the incident.  Ensures that notifications are complete and appropriate documentation and interventions are in place.
•  Prepares written and oral reports for the Director of Nursing.
•  Assists and participates in activities related to the inspection/investigation of the hospital by regulatory or accrediting agencies.
•  Assesses the competencies and skill of staff to meet the requirements of their respective job descriptions.
•  Monitors employee performance to identify education and training needs as well as performance improvement needs.  Implements plans for improvement as appropriate.
•  Performs staff appraisals within the policies of the hospital to include the probationary initial evaluation and the annual evaluation on all department staff.
•  Counsels staff with appropriate documentation as needed to recognize and reward good performance and to identify and monitor areas needing improvement.
•  Identifies educational needs of staff and works with available resources both internally and externally to meet the learning needs of staff.
• Evaluates the Respiratory Therapy Department’s functions continuously to determine opportunities for expanding services or reducing those that are not utilized.  Monitors department activity and function on monthly basis for utilization.
• Plans strategically for short-term and long-term service expansion or enhancement within the department.
• Seeks opportunities to improve respiratory services provided by the department.
• Identifies services that are not effectively utilized and determines appropriate interventions for improvement if applicable.
• Remains current on new technology and practices that may be effectively implemented to serve the respiratory and cardiopulmonary needs of the hospital.
• Manages employees in resolving disputes among co-workers, elevating matters to Human Resources when appropriate.
• Completes payroll documentation and approves timecards in Kronos.
• Participates in budget and strategic planning with the emphasis on the potential for the Respiratory Therapy Department to grow in volume, services, quality and/or programs.
• Conducts quality assurance assessments for the Respiratory Therapy Department.
• Conducts staff education, communication, training initiatives and competencies.
• Conducts patient care meetings with staff as required.
• Maintains and improves competencies by participating in and attending professional educational programs and meetings and reading current professional literature.
• Supports and demonstrates practices consistent with the hospital’s mission, philosophy, standards, policies and procedures.
• Acts as the Hospital Move Coordinator for the proposed move in 2009.
• Emergency duty may be required of the incumbent that includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters or to perform other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to threats or disasters, man-made or natural. 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience:

Minimum five (5) years of experience as a respiratory manager in an acute care setting preferred.

Certification:

Basic Life Support (BLS) is required. The following certifications are preferred: NPS, CPFT, RPFT, or RPSG,  Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Life Support (PALS), and NRP.

Licensure:

State of Florida Registered Respiratory Therapist license required.

Health Care District of Palm Beach County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate based onrace, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.