Lead - Respiratory Therapist- Nights

Job Summary 

Provides advanced respiratory care while serving as the shift-level clinical and operational leader for the Respiratory Therapy department. Coordinates daily staffing, workflow, and patient care activities to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality care delivery. Acts as a key resource for respiratory staff and the interdisciplinary team, supporting clinical decision-making, staff development, and real-time problem solving. Contributes to organizational success by promoting a collaborative team culture, ensuring adherence to best practices, and supporting quality and performance improvement initiatives. Meets all expectations of a Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner while assuming additional leadership responsibilities that support departmental operations and team performance. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. 

Deliver comprehensive, evidence-based respiratory care by performing all duties of a Respiratory Care Practitioner to ensure safe, high-quality patient outcomes. 

2. 

Lead shift-level clinical and operational activities by coordinating daily staffing assignments and workflow to maintain safe, efficient, and equitable care delivery. 

3. 

Serve as the primary clinical resource for respiratory staff by providing real-time guidance, clinical decision support, and escalation of complex patient care needs. 

4. 

Mentor and develop staff by supporting onboarding, training, and ongoing skill development to promote clinical competence and team engagement. 

5. 

Collaborate with the Department Manager to support staffing, performance management, and resolution of patient or employee concerns, ensuring alignment with departmental and organizational expectations. 

6. 

Monitor quality and performance by conducting audits and reviewing documentation and clinical practices to ensure compliance with standards of care and identify improvement opportunities. 

7. 

Drive continuous improvement by contributing to the evaluation and enhancement of respiratory care policies, procedures, and practices based on evidence, outcomes, and best practices. 

8. 

Coordinate discharge planning for respiratory needs by partnering with Care Coordinators and external vendors to ensure appropriate equipment and supplies are in place for safe transitions of care. 

9. 

Educate patients, families, and caregivers by identifying learning needs and delivering and documenting instruction to support safe care beyond the hospital setting. 

10. 

Participate in interdisciplinary communication by attending patient care conferences and collaborating with the care team to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care. 

11. 

Support patient transport, clinic visits, and off-unit care needs to maintain continuity and safety of respiratory services across care settings. 

12. 

Manage respiratory equipment and supply availability by overseeing inventory and partnering with Central Supply to ensure resources are readily available for patient care. 

Patient Population Served: 

Ranken Jordan is dedicated to delivering services to patients with complex medical needs, including infants, children, and adolescents. 

Education and Experience Required: 

Must possess a current Missouri Respiratory Therapist license and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. A minimum of three (3) years of pediatric respiratory care experience is required. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association is required. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification is required or must be obtained during orientation. Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training is required upon hire and must be maintained per organizational policy. Demonstrates strong communication skills and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary team.  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities 

• Advanced knowledge of respiratory care principles, including ventilator management, airway management, and evidence-based clinical practices across pediatric populations  

• Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills, with the ability to guide others in complex decision-making and emergent situations  

• Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to direct workflow, prioritize resources, and support team performance in a dynamic environment  

• Effective communication skills, with the ability to provide clear direction, deliver feedback, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, patients, and families  

• Ability to mentor, coach, and develop staff, fostering clinical competence, accountability, and engagement  

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to balance patient care responsibilities with operational and leadership duties  

• Ability to analyze performance data, monitor quality metrics, and support performance improvement initiatives  

• Proficiency in documentation and use of electronic medical records, with attention to accuracy, compliance, and completeness  

• Ability to adapt to changing patient conditions, staffing needs, and operational demands in a fast-paced environment  

• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, professionalism, and promoting a positive, collaborative team culture 

Leadership Expectations:  

• Demonstrates the attributes, values, and behaviors of strong leadership as defined by the Ranken Jordan framework, including setting priorities, developing people, leading effective teams, making sound decisions, and delivering results. 

• Establishes and aligns short-, medium-, and long-term priorities. 

• Develops people by assessing capabilities and capacity; clearly communicates priorities and regularly reassesses progress. 

• Creates a shared sense of purpose by defining team objectives, roles, expected behaviors, and performance standards. 

• Builds and sustains effective formal and informal communication channels. 

• Makes informed decisions by gathering relevant facts, validating assumptions, evaluating impacts, communicating intent, seeking feedback, and taking appropriate action. 

• Leads with a service mindset to expand impact for children and families, deliver unequaled outcomes, inspire the workforce, and strengthen financial sustainability. 

• Complies with all applicable organizational policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. 

• Upholds and models Ranken Jordan’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values. 

Physical Demands: 

Indicate the amount of time spent on each activity required as it relates to the essential functions 

Physical Requirements 

LBS 

% of Time Spent 

Physical Requirements 

% of Time Spent 

Carrying  

​​0-35​ 

10 

Sitting 

20 

Lifting 

​​0-35​ 

10 

Standing 

20 

Pulling 

​​0-35​ 

10 

Walking 

Pushing 

​​0-35​ 

10 

Climbing 

Bending 

Writing/Typing 

20 

Grasping 

Other (Specify)