Lead Respiratory Therapist

IT'S SIMPLE. You want to work in a hospital setting where you are valued and appreciated - where you receive respect from your superiors and co-workers as well as the patients you treat. You want to be challenged by your job without being overwhelmed by it.  You want to play an instrumental role in helping a patient recover, sometimes against strong odds, and go home. What you want is Andalusia Health. Our mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder we serve.  Join us!

About the Opportunity

The Lead Respiratory Therapist will provides leadership, coordination and support for the patient care therapist. Responsibilities include partnering with Respiratory Director to achieve departmental goals and improve quality of care. Ensures appropriate staffing utilization and efficient use of equipment. Serves as a role model to all employees through the demonstration core values and standards of excellence.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Associate's degree in Respiratory Care (or two year Professional Program) from an AMA approved program for Respiratory Care or satisfies the requirements outlined in the NBRC admissions policies for registry examinations required. One-year clinical experience under medical direction in a full service Respiratory Care Department required.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION:

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) and licensed to practice as a RCP in the state of Alabama required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists Respiratory Director with work schedules and assignments for staff, with attention to scope of practice, policies/procedures, regulatory requirements, equitable distribution, adequacy of coverage, appropriate resources. Coordinates call-ins and re-allocates workloads to reflect changes in daily staffing.

2. Facilitates and monitors the appropriate utilization of staff based on credentialing, education and experience.

3. Collaborates with Director, preceptors and educators to design, implement and evaluate specific unit orientation and educational plans. Assisting with in-service education, quality assurance, employee orientation and performance evaluations.

4. Demonstrates value for professional respiratory practice including the utilization of current standards, respiratory process and patient advocacy. In collaboration with Respiratory Director takes responsibility for continuing education, developing best practices and maintaining the highest levels of patient care and staff development.

5. Provides leadership to staff, acting as resource and providing input to Director regarding staff performance evaluations.

6. Interprets appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements and ensures and documents that needs are being met as described in departmental policies and procedures.

7. Communicates in an effective, positive and professional manner role modeling behaviors associated in caring science.

8. Ensures the quality of professional services by demonstrating and maintaining competency through updating knowledge, skills and continuing professional growth.

9. Conveys the knowledge and principles of growth and development for specific patient populations and demonstrates the ability to assess data relevant to that specific patient population Ensures/provides appropriate patient care in accordance with specific patient population. Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of the needs of the patient population specific to the defined clinical area. Maintains competency related to patient population and identifies strategies to meet related needs.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Excellent oral, written and listening communication skills Proficient in staff scheduling and daily assignment creation Demonstrates leadership skills Organizational skills