Respiratory Quality Coordinator, Full-Time, Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

5d

About The Position

The Respiratory Quality Coordinator serves as the respiratory care department’s subject matter expert in quality improvement, patient safety, regulatory readiness, and clinical practice compliance. Drawing on advanced respiratory care experience, this role oversees adherence to quality standards and policies and leads continuous improvement efforts. The coordinator supports collaborative education and team building and participates in multidisciplinary initiatives to improve clinical care and patient outcomes.

The role also assists with patient care and triage when needed based on staffing and operational needs, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or active enrollment in a degree program with completion within three years.
• At least 5 years of critical care experience.
• Active Illinois Respiratory Therapist license through IDFPR.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
• CPR BLS, ACLS, and PALS through the American Heart Association.
• Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS) credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification through the American Heart Association, required within 6 months of start date.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and critical thinking.
• Resilience and adaptability, emotional intelligence, and professionalism.
• Demonstrates Northwestern Medicine values of patients first, excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (NPS) credential.
• At least 3 years of experience in a Level III NICU.
• Experience with process improvement methodology, change management, data analysis, and project coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate departmental quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety, clinical outcomes, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance, including pressure injury prevention and appropriate noninvasive ventilation interface assessments and documentation.
• Collaborate with operational and medical leadership to identify improvement opportunities, develop solutions, and implement them effectively.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with quality committees and multidisciplinary teams to support improvement initiatives.
• Audit respiratory care staff documentation, clinical practices, and departmental workflows for compliance with organizational policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with the Respiratory Education Coordinator to identify quality-driven educational needs and support staff competency development.
• Assist with developing, reviewing, implementing, and revising departmental policies, procedures, clinical protocols, and practice guidelines.
• Assist clinical teams and leadership in responding to quality-related inquiries from external constituencies, including patients, families, payers, media, and researchers.
• Support departmental readiness for accreditation surveys, regulatory inspections, and quality reviews.
• Research and develop quality measurement, evaluation, and improvement methodologies, including LEAD projects with support from a manager, mentor, or peers.
• Complete root cause analyses, corrective action planning, and follow-up related to respiratory care quality events, adverse outcomes, and process gaps, such as pressure injuries attributed to respiratory care interventions.
• Demonstrate leadership behaviors that foster accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Promote staff engagement in quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and evidence-based practice activities.
• Use sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive information.
• Assist with patient care and triage when needed based on staffing and operational needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits, including tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness, 401(k) matching, and lifecycle benefits.
• A wide range of benefits intended to support physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level