Respiratory Therapist- Lead-Nights

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Gainesville, GA

16d

About The Position

The Lead Therapist facilitates and assists with respiratory care in the 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, promotes communication among care team providers, and coordinates, elevates, and resolves problems and conflicts. The Lead Therapist is accountable during the shift for patient flow, matching patient needs with available resources, and escalating patient safety concerns or situations that cannot be resolved during the shift. The Lead Therapist is the first level of administration assigned to the unit when the Respiratory Operations Manager is absent and participates in peer interviewing and peer evaluation. The role may include all or part of staff therapist responsibilities, and the Lead Therapist is assigned direct patient care as unit needs indicate. The position supports the professional practice environment by communicating NGHS strategic direction, supporting VOICE and NDNQI quality teams, and assisting with clinical governance and other projects. The position coordinates unit activities and patient care teams, collaborates with other disciplines and departments, guides staff, and provides performance feedback to the Operations Manager or Respiratory supervisor. It also oversees unit-specific administrative tasks, assesses patient acuity, helps plan for staffing changes or admissions, serves as a clinical resource, prioritizes competing work, manages crisis situations, and supports process improvement. Shift-specific responsibilities include directing day-to-day shift duties, promoting departmental harmony, participating in required meetings or huddles, ensuring paperwork is completed at shift end, and assisting the Operations Manager or Director with schedules, disciplinary actions, and projects.

Requirements

Licensed to practice as a Respiratory Therapist (Respiratory Care Professional) in Georgia.
Associate degree.
At least five years of acute-care experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in a hospital acute-care setting.
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.
Demonstrated strong clinical expertise and judgment.
Demonstrated leadership and management skills and abilities.
Strong computer skills with the systems defined by the unit.
Demonstrated 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, elevate, and resolve problems and conflicts.
Manage shift accountability for patient flow, matching patient needs with available resources, and escalating unresolved situations and patient safety concerns.
Assume first-level administrative responsibility for the unit in the absence of the Respiratory Operations Manager.
Participate in peer interviewing and peer evaluation.
Provide direct patient care as unit needs indicate and assume all or part of staff therapist responsibilities as needed.
Communicate NGHS strategic direction and support activities aligned with it.
Support VOICE and NDNQI quality teams and their members’ professional participation.
Assist with clinical governance and other assigned projects.
Coordinate patient care team activities and collaborate with other healthcare disciplines and departments.
Provide staff guidance and feedback to the Operations Manager and/or Respiratory supervisor on staff performance.
Oversee unit-specific administrative tasks, such as PI audits, code carts, and bed meetings.
Assess patient acuity and assist with staffing plans for staffing changes or increased admissions or discharges.
Assist staff with completing their work and serve as a clinical resource for equipment and patient care needs.
Anticipate patient and staffing needs, evaluate care delivered, and adjust assignments based on clinical and operational information.
Manage crisis situations, troubleshoot, analyze errors, and support staff improvement through process improvement initiatives.
Triage and coordinate multiple tasks, prioritize workload, direct unit activities, and use resources effectively.
Maintain timely communication with administrative supervisors and visibility on the unit.
Treat patients and colleagues with respect and foster teamwork.
Direct day-to-day shift duties and work with shift personnel to facilitate departmental harmony.
Participate in required shift meetings and huddles.
Ensure paperwork is completed at shift end.
Assist the department Operations Manager or Director with work schedules, disciplinary actions, and assigned projects.
Perform other duties as assigned.