Director of Respiratory Therapy

Position Summary
 
The Director of Respiratory Therapy is responsible for coordinating all respiratory care in the pediatric facility.  This includes, but is not limited to:  orientation and training of all respiratory staff in the facility, clinical assessments, marketing, adherence to budget, and meeting state licensure requirements.  Assists, as necessary, the respiratory department in case management.  Acts as clinical liaison and formulates relationships with hospitals, insurance companies, other major referral sources, staff, and family.  Responsible for direct care, equipment management and other respiratory related duties relevant to delivery of quality care in a safe environment according to the interdisciplinary care plan approach.
 
Organizational Relationships
 
1.                    Reports to the Administrator of Pediatric Facility
2.                   Supervises Respiratory Therapists
3.                   Works at maintaining a good rapport and cooperative interdepartmental
Relationships with all personnel, demonstrates a team attitude
4.                  Consistently develops a therapeutic relationship with the resident; maintains a proper perspective between personal and professional affairs
5.                   Inspires confidence from residents, visitors, family and staff by performing
and communicating in a highly professional manner at all times
 
WORK SCHEDULE:
Days; Monday –Friday. May be required to work Evening shift, Night Shift, Holidays, Weekends as needed.
Required to Participate in Manager on Duty Program.
  
Qualifications
 
1.                    Current State of Florida licensure and RRT credentials
2.                   Acute care and/or long term care pediatric and/or geriatric experience
3.                   CPR Certification/PALS Certification for pediatrics
4.                  Proficient in airway and ventilator management for children and/or adults
5.                   Ability to communicate effectively
6.                   Ability to work with others as a team
7.                   Must be able to function independently
8.                   Must demonstrate good judgment, tact, and patience with others
 
Experience:                 

         Minimal three years’ experience in acute care and/or rehab setting. Minimal three years’ experience in a supervisory capacity in a health care setting.  Prior experience in long term care preferred
               
Knowledge/Skills:          

   Knowledge of the federal, state and local regulations that affect respiratory care delivery.  Ability to manage people and work effectively with all persons and disciplines.  Must be of good moral character and have sincere desire to work with residents, staff, visitors, insurance personnel and family members.
 
Duties & Responsibilities
 
The following statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified.  It shall not be considered as a complete description of all the work requirements and expectations that may be inherent in the position.
 

• Responsible for initial orientation of all new staff to the department/facility and policies and procedures of the department. 

• Gives input to the Administrator on goals and objectives for the department and implements activities to accomplish them.

• Exhibits characteristics of tact, organizational skills and good interpersonal communication in conferences and basic areas of administration, physical care, clinical education and supervision.

• Acts as a clinical instructor when necessary.

• Encourages continued education for all staff, ensuring each staff member gives at least one in-service for facility each year.  Ensures staff attends all mandatory in-services.

• Provides appropriate supervision of delegated functions for members of the respiratory team while ensuring that treatment plans are carried out in a safe and effective manner.

• Provides on-site evaluations incorporating contact with Social Service Department; review of the client’s medical record, client visit, and other professional contacts as appropriate.

• Provides coordination of admission of residents requiring skilled respiratory services.  Assesses individual’s health needs by reviewing past history, current status and treatment plan.  Counsels resident and/or family concerning available services and suitability of resident’s admission.

• Coordinates the respiratory requirements of each patient admitted to the facility and implementation of the plan of care.  Utilizes cost effective management strategies.

• Monitors and evaluates services and outcomes through resident surveys, chart audits, defines outcome studies.  Assures completion of required quality assurance and program evaluation activities and resulting management reports.

• Advocate for the resident.  Respects and maintains confidentiality of all resident records and uses complete discretion when discussing resident information.

• Liaison between the respiratory department, facility departments, referral sources, community and insurance carriers.

• Schedules staff to meet the needs of the department within guidelines of corporate budget.

• Makes recommendations for purchase of equipment, supplies, forms, etc., and submits appropriate paperwork for approval.

• Maintains sufficient inventory of respiratory supplies at all times to meet day-to-day needs of pediatric residents.

• Participates in the development of departmental budgets, monitors and adheres to budget constraints.

• Assures compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.  Provides ongoing consultation regarding changes in Federal and State requirements related to documentation, billingand and payor source utilization.

• Attends continuing education courses to maintain skill level.Complete required personnel functions:  interviewing, reference checking, personnel file maintenance, evaluations and other personnel actions.  Provides a program for orientation of new staff.

• Monitors respiratory staff’s skills, performance and documentation.Completes biweekly payroll in an accurate and timely manner.

• Maintains appropriate billing documentation, labor logs, equipment and supply inventory.

• Completes all required paperwork within appropriate timeframe.

• Respects the confidentiality of all resident records and uses discretion when discussing resident information.

• Carries out all responsibilities according to the policies and procedures of the facility and within the scope of practice of individual licensure, under the direction of the Pediatric Facility Administrator.