Director Respiratory Care- Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital-Lakeland, FL

Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital is currently seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Respiratory Therapy to provide strategic and operational leadership for our respiratory therapy services. In this vital role, the Director will ensure high standards of patient care, exceptional clinical outcomes, and superior patient service. This leader will be responsible for shaping a culture of clinical excellence, safety, innovation, and employee engagement—ensuring the department is recognized as a best place to work.

Opening Summer 2026 at 4000 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL.

Orlando Health offers a great DAY ONE benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision & Prescription Drug Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts
• Paid Time Off (accrued)
• Education Assistance: Preferred Education Program-100% PAID Tuition, Tuition reimbursement & repayment of previous loans
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Family Care Benefits & so much more

Essential Functions

• Develops and implements policy and procedure manual and assures staff education and compliance.

• Develops, monitors, and reports quality management process improvement in all departmental areas.

• Assures compliance with JCAHO, state and federal regulations.

• Assures that the arterial blood gas laboratory is maintained in accordance with all state and federal regulations and that proper data
is maintained for quality control and inspections.

• Responsible for a staff of at least 40 or more full-time equivalents (FTEs) in an individual or multiple departments.

• Coordinates the scheduling and staffing for both inpatient and outpatient procedures diagnostic testing, and critical care transports.

• Recruits, interviews, select, evaluate, and counsels staff.

• Prepares operational and capital budgets – coordinates expenditures, orders supplies, and reconciles charges.

• Prepares administrative and financial reports.

• Acts as a liaison between medical staff, administration and other departments.

• Remains current in fields of responsibility.

• Manages various personnel functions including hiring, work assignments, coaching plans, and disciplinary actions.

• Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.

• Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.

Other Related Functions

• Participates in interdepartmental committee work.

• Organizes, prepares and presents educational programs for the department, hospital and community.

• Reviews productivity standards, develops inventory control systems, coordinates payroll, participates in the risk management of the department and other departments, responsible for assuring that all staff are current with clinical competencies, mandatory education, certifications, and employee health regulations.

• The manager is also responsible for the development of new clinical services including purchasing equipment and training staff through an interdisciplinary approach.

• Acts as a liaison to facilitate access to clinical training facilities, corporate education and community.

Education/Training

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care, Cardiopulmonary Sciences, Business Administration, Health Science Administration, or other related area of study.

Licensure/Certification

• Maintains current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license in the state of Florida.

• Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

• Maintains current BLS/HealthCare Provider certification.

Experience

Five (5) years' experience as a registered respiratory therapist, including one (1) year of leadership experience in an acute care respiratory
unit