MGR - RESP SRVS - RRT

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital•Brattleboro, VT

20d

About The Position

The Manager, Respiratory Services, is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and daily operations of the Respiratory Services Department for both inpatient and outpatient services, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based patient care in compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. This role oversees the recruitment, retention, and professional development of respiratory therapy staff, ensuring competency, compliance, and continuous improvement. The Respiratory Services Manager manages departmental resources, including equipment, staffing, and budgeting, while implementing policies and protocols that align with best practices and hospital-wide initiatives. Additionally, this position supervises the Blood Gas Laboratory, overseeing testing personnel, maintaining quality control, and ensuring compliance with College of American Pathologists (CAP) standards. The Respiratory Services Manager collaborates closely with physicians, nursing, and other healthcare professionals to promote interdisciplinary care, patient safety, and clinical excellence. The Manager, Respiratory Services, is also a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) which plays a critical role in assessing, stabilizing, and managing the respiratory status of patients across all age groups, including neonates. RRTs respond to medical emergencies such as code blues and rapid responses, managing mechanical ventilation, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), oxygen therapy, and various respiratory procedures. They obtain and analyze Blood Gas samples (including arterial, venous, and cord bloods), ensuring accurate interpretation and treatment adjustments while maintaining compliance with CAP standards. Additionally, RRTs are responsible for setting up, troubleshooting, and maintaining respiratory therapy equipment, as well as educating patients and families on disease management and home care strategies. Working collaboratively with the entire healthcare team, RRTs ensure that Respiratory Care Clinical Practice Guidelines are followed to provide safe, effective, and standardized care for all patients.

Requirements

Graduate of a Respiratory Therapy Program (RRT) approved by a state or national accrediting agency is required
Minimum 3 years as an RRT in an acute care inpatient or emergency setting required.
Vermont Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license required.
BLS, ACLS, PALS and NRP within 3 months of hire (or required).
OSHA Category I - Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues require use of techniques of Universal Precautions as evidenced with blood borne pathogens standards

Nice To Haves

Leadership or supervisory experience preferred

Responsibilities

Leadership and strategic direction of the Respiratory Services Department
Overseeing recruitment, retention, and professional development of respiratory therapy staff
Managing departmental resources, including equipment, staffing, and budgeting
Implementing policies and protocols that align with best practices and hospital-wide initiatives
Supervising the Blood Gas Laboratory, overseeing testing personnel, maintaining quality control, and ensuring compliance with College of American Pathologists (CAP) standards
Collaborating closely with physicians, nursing, and other healthcare professionals to promote interdisciplinary care, patient safety, and clinical excellence
Assessing, stabilizing, and managing the respiratory status of patients across all age groups, including neonates
Responding to medical emergencies such as code blues and rapid responses
Managing mechanical ventilation, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), oxygen therapy, and various respiratory procedures
Obtaining and analyzing Blood Gas samples (including arterial, venous, and cord bloods), ensuring accurate interpretation and treatment adjustments while maintaining compliance with CAP standards
Setting up, troubleshooting, and maintaining respiratory therapy equipment
Educating patients and families on disease management and home care strategies
Ensuring that Respiratory Care Clinical Practice Guidelines are followed to provide safe, effective, and standardized care for all patients
Developing and implementing both strategic and operational department goals
Identifying and communicating departmental vision
Developing, communicating and achieving departmental goals and objectives
Cooperating with other departments to support and enhance patient flow
Designing and implementing planning processes at departmental level
Contributing to the effective management of the department through the consistent application of Hospital policies and procedures
Participating actively in Hospital councils, committees and task forces
Demonstrating staff and physician satisfaction improvement through measurable venues
Using unit data to creatively improve patient care
Remaining visible to staff and offers assistance when needed
Developing an annual department-specific recruitment and retention plan
Assisting staff in developing goals and objectives for individual growth and development
Providing orientation and in-service training for department staff
Creating a positive work environment
Proactively and timely addressing conflict
Providing ongoing constructive feedback regarding performance/behavior
Supporting collaborative, patient-centered interdepartmental relationships
Maintaining positive interpersonal relationship with staff
Supporting professional growth of staff and self
Supervising staff to ensure a high level of productivity and quality of work
Interviewing and recommending for hire competent staff
Determining the staffing needs, work methods and performance standards
Verifying annually Licensure/Certification for staff where required
Reducing sick calls, tardiness and instills a committed work ethic to staff
Promoting teamwork among unit staff and staff in other departments
Achieving budgetary and financial goals through establishing and effectively managing variable departmental budget within 2% of budget, according to utilization assumptions
Ensuring effective utilization of staff to maximize productivity while maintaining quality operations
Planning effectively the use of the department’s staff resources, supplies, capital equipment and other non-labor expenses
Eliminating/minimizing the use of temporary agency nursing staff
Eliminating/minimizing the use of staff overtime, bonus or mandatory overtime
Identifying and implementing quality improvement programs
Supporting the Quality Improvement initiatives
Reviewing and approving, as appropriate, performance improvement changes
Promoting a customer-oriented staff
Participating in interdisciplinary and department projects to improve patient care and the hospital environment
Demonstrating department audits show compliance with all Regulatory Agency and quality standards
Clarifying roles, responsibilities and expectations within the team
Encouraging team members to share best ideas and practices
Recognizing and rewarding both individual and team achievements
Fostering an environment of teamwork and collaboration
Listening and effectively interacting with others
Demonstrating an effective communication style with all levels of personnel
Actively building upon the feedback of others
Maintaining clinical competency as a Registered Respiratory Therapy to care for patients when needed