Registered Respiratory Therapist

Tenet Healthcare•Detroit, MI

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist coordinates day-to-day operations of the Respiratory Care Department at an assigned site in collaboration with Respiratory Department Leadership or an appropriate administrator. The role supports departmental, hospital, and system initiatives and represents Respiratory Care on clinical hospital committees. Working with leadership, the therapist develops and implements staff in-services, coordinates quality improvement efforts, tracks quality data, participates in regulatory inspections and surveys, develops new-hire orientation and departmental policies and procedures, and implements annual staff education and competency programs. The role may also serve as a technical consultant for the blood gas laboratory and complete productivity and payroll reports, review customer service surveys, coordinate staffing schedules and assignments, and guide staff in their duties. The therapist also provides respiratory therapy, collaborating with healthcare team members and families to plan, implement, and evaluate patient care. Duties include tracheotomy care, long-term ventilation, assisting physicians with respiratory care and aspects of pulmonary functions, screening, and blood gas analysis, and providing respiratory education to nursing and other medical staff. The role monitors compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Joint Commission requirements, and DMC policies and procedures, and performs other duties within the scope of responsibility and credentials. DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan specializes in rehabilitation medicine and research, including spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, amputation, orthopedics, and catastrophic injury care. It also operates outpatient sites throughout southeast Michigan focused on sports medicine and orthopedics.

Requirements

Associate's degree in a related technical or administrative discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Two to three years of progressively more responsible Respiratory Care experience.
Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care.
Licensure to practice as a Respiratory Therapist in the State of Michigan.
BCLS certification.
Analytical ability to gather and interpret data, identify discrepancies and issues, seek advice when precedents are unclear, and determine methods to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
Communication and interpersonal skills for routine interactions with internal and some external customers or stakeholders, including courtesy, listening, and some discretion and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to read and comprehend procedures and technical literature in the relevant functional area.
Project management skills, including defining objectives, identifying stakeholders, planning work, and coordinating human, technological, and fiscal resources.
Leadership skills, including decision-making, coaching, teaching, counseling, inspiring confidence, and building alliances and support.
Ability to evaluate patient conditions and operate Respiratory Care and Pulmonary Function equipment.
Ability to calculate and regulate respiratory therapy modalities.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Science, Allied Health, or Health Administration.
ACLS certification.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Respiratory Care Department at the assigned site in collaboration with departmental leadership or an appropriate administrator.
Support departmental, hospital, and system initiatives.
Represent Respiratory Care on clinical hospital committees.
Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement staff in-services and coordinate quality improvement efforts.
Track quality improvement data as requested and oversee regulatory inspections or participate in regulatory surveys as required.
Develop and implement new-hire orientation, including departmental policies and procedures.
Develop and implement the annual staff education and competency program with department leadership, and ensure staff meet competency requirements.
May serve as a technical consultant for the blood gas laboratory.
Complete department productivity and payroll reports and review customer service surveys as assigned.
Coordinate staffing schedules and assignments; delegate, oversee, and guide staff in their duties.
Perform Respiratory Therapist duties and collaborate with healthcare team members and family members to plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
Administer and instruct in respiratory therapy, including tracheotomy care and long-term ventilation in patient nursing units.
Assist physicians with respiratory care, including some phases of pulmonary functions, screening, and blood gas analysis.
Provide respiratory education to nursing and other medical staff as requested.
Monitor compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Joint Commission requirements, and DMC policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned and within the scope of responsibility and credentials.