Program Director, Associate of Science Degree Respiratory Care Program

LASELL UNIVERSITY•Newton, MA

39d•$82,000 - $87,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Lasell University seeks a qualified and experienced Program Director to lead an accredited Associate of Science Degree Respiratory Care Program. The Program Director is responsible for the organization, administration, continuous review, planning, development, and general effectiveness of the program in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) Standards. The Program Director ensures the program prepares competent, entry-level respiratory therapists eligible for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing examinations and aligns with current professional practice standards.

Requirements

Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (Masters degree preferred)
Hold a valid Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
Hold an active, current state license to practice as a Respiratory Therapist, where required
A minimum of 4 years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, including at least 2 years in clinical respiratory care practice
A minimum of 2 years of teaching or instructional experience in respiratory care or a related allied health field
Demonstrate knowledge of CoARC Standards and accreditation processes, including program administration, curriculum design and competency-based education, student learning outcomes and assessment, and clinical education requirements
Demonstrate effective leadership and administrative skills necessary to manage program operations, personnel, and resources

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in respiratory care, Health Sciences, Education, or related field
Prior experience as a Program Director, Director of Clinical Education (DCE), or faculty member in a CoARC-accredited program
Experience with CoARC accreditation processes and site visits
Familiarity with simulation-based education and emerging respiratory technologies

Responsibilities

Overall organization, administration, continuous review, and effectiveness of the Respiratory Care Program
Ensuring compliance with all CoARC Standards
Maintaining required accreditation documentation, including: Annual Reports of Current Status (RCS), Self-study reports and progress reports, Outcomes data and program effectiveness metrics
Coordinating and leading accreditation site visits and ongoing compliance activities
Ensuring the curriculum is competency-based and aligned with CoARC Standards
Preparing students for NBRC credentialing examinations (CRT and RRT)
Overseeing course design, sequencing, and integration of didactic instruction, laboratory/simulation, and clinical education
Leading systematic curriculum review and revision based on outcomes data, advisory committee input, and advances in respiratory care practice and technology
Recruiting, orienting, supervising, and evaluating faculty, instructors, adjuncts, and clinical instructors
Ensuring all faculty, adjuncts, and instructors meet CoARC qualification requirements
Promoting faculty development in teaching effectiveness, assessment and evaluation, and clinical instruction best practices
Coordinating with the Director of Clinical Education to manage and maintain all clinical education requirements
Ensuring clinical education meets CoARC Standards for clinical practice experiences
Developing and maintaining clinical affiliation agreements
Ensuring clinical sites provide adequate patient and procedure diversity and qualified preceptors and clinical instructors
Assisting, as needed, the coordination of student clinical placements, competency evaluations, and site monitoring and assessment
Ensuring fair, valid, and consistent student evaluation processes
Monitoring and analyzing program outcomes, including program retention and graduation rates, NBRC credentialing success (CRT/RRT), and graduate job placement rates
Maintaining a systematic plan for ongoing program evaluation and continuous quality improvement
Establishing and maintaining an active advisory committee consisting of employers, clinical affiliates, and credentialed respiratory therapists
Conducting regular meetings and using feedback to inform program improvement and workforce alignment
Ensuring the program maintains and manages adequate resources, including qualified faculty and staff, laboratory equipment and simulation resources, and instructional technologies
Teaching 1 course per semester within the Respiratory Care Program (didactic, lab, and/or clinical) in various delivery methods (on-campus, online, hybrid)
Integrating evidence-based practice, simulation and technology-enhanced learning, and interprofessional education opportunities