Respiratory Therapist- Lead- Days

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Lead Therapist facilitates and assists with respiratory care in the assigned unit or practice location under the direct and indirect supervision of the Operations Manager or administrative supervisor. The role supports Clinical Respiratory Therapists with day-to-day problem solving, coordinates communication among care team providers, and elevates and resolves issues and conflicts. The Lead Therapist is accountable for shift patient flow, matching patient needs with available resources, and escalating patient-safety concerns or other issues that cannot be resolved during the shift. The role supports quality of care and professional practice, communicates the health system’s strategic direction, and supports VOICE and NDNQI quality teams and other clinical-governance projects. The Lead Therapist may perform some or all staff therapist responsibilities and is the first level of administration assigned to the unit when the Respiratory Operations Manager is absent. The role participates in peer interviewing and peer evaluation and may be assigned directly to patient care as unit needs indicate. The Lead Therapist coordinates unit and patient-care team activities, monitors patient status and acuity, assists with staffing adjustments and admissions, serves as a clinical resource, and supports staff in completing their work. The role provides guidance and performance feedback, oversees unit-specific administrative tasks, and helps maintain effective communication and collaboration with other disciplines. It also manages shift duties, participates in shift meetings or huddles, ensures shift paperwork is completed, and assists department leadership with schedules, disciplinary actions, and projects.

Requirements

Associate degree.
Five or more years of experience as an RRT in an acute-care hospital setting.
Licensed to practice as a Respiratory Therapist (Respiratory Care Professional) in Georgia.
Respiratory Therapy training through an accredited school and successful completion of the examination.
Meet all certification requirements defined by the unit, such as BLS, NRP, or PALS.
Demonstrate strong clinical expertise and judgment, leadership and management abilities, computer skills, and critical-thinking skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
One year of supervisor or specialty experience.

Responsibilities

Facilitate and assist with respiratory care in the assigned unit or practice location.
Support Clinical Respiratory Therapists with day-to-day problem solving and facilitate communication among care team providers.
Coordinate shift patient flow and match patient needs with available resources; elevate patient-safety concerns and unresolved issues.
Coordinate patient-care team activities and collaborate with other healthcare disciplines to support optimal patient care.
Monitor patient status and acuity; assist with staffing changes and respond to influxes of admissions or discharges.
Provide staff guidance, feedback to the Operations Manager or Respiratory supervisor, and clinical support as a resource.
Oversee unit-specific administrative tasks, such as PI audits, code carts, and bed meetings.
Participate in peer interviewing, peer evaluation, VOICE and NDNQI quality teams, clinical governance, and assigned projects.
Communicate the organization’s strategic direction and support activities aligned with it.
Maintain shift duties and departmental harmony, participate in required shift meetings or huddles, and ensure paperwork is completed at shift end.
Assist the department Operations Manager or Director with work schedules, disciplinary actions, and assigned projects.
Perform direct patient care and other duties as assigned.