Respiratory Therapy Clinical Specialist

UnityPoint Health•Waukee, IA

51d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapy Clinical Specialist NE provides clinical expertise, education, competency oversight, and quality improvement support for the Respiratory Therapy department. Under the direction of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and in collaboration with the Medical Director, this role develops and evaluates staff and patient education programs, performs and supervises diagnostic respiratory testing including ATS-standard pulmonary function testing (PFT), and supports high-quality patient care. The position also acts as a clinical resource for staff and providers and may assume Lead responsibilities when needed.

Requirements

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program - Required
Graduate of a CoARC-approved Respiratory Care program - Required
Minimum of five (5) years of clinical respiratory care experience, including three (3) years in a hospital setting - Required
Current Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure in state(s) of practice - Required upon hire
RRT credential through NBRC - Required upon hire
Mandatory Reporter - Required within 90 days
Basic Life Support (BLS) - Required within 90 days
Strong communication, collaboration, leadership, and customer service skills.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and manage competing priorities.
Proficiency in problem-solving, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making.
High adaptability and professionalism with a commitment to patient-centered care.
Technical aptitude and ability to learn new systems efficiently.
Ability to work effectively across diverse teams and cultural backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience with diagnostic testing and education - Preferred
CPFT or RPFT certification - Preferred within 1 year
COPD/Asthma Educator certification - Preferred within 1 year

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and evaluates patient and staff education and competency programs.
Provides onboarding, coaching, and ongoing clinical guidance for employees.
Ensures timely completion of annual education and competency validation.
Collaborates with physicians and leadership in developing policies, protocols, and best practices.
Supports direct patient care and assists with staffing needs.
Serves as an educational resource to other departments and affiliated sites.
Performs and oversees pulmonary function testing and other diagnostic respiratory procedures.
Ensures accuracy, quality, and compliance with clinical standards and ATS guidelines.
Manages scheduling, workflow, and quality assurance reporting for diagnostic services.
Audits documentation, staff performance, and adherence to protocols.
Identifies improvement opportunities and leads or supports performance and quality initiatives.
Acts as a clinical expert and role model for the department.
Provides input on staff development needs and performance evaluations.
Serves as a liaison for physicians, patients, families, and interdisciplinary partners.
Assists with timekeeping accuracy, staffing adjustments, and resource utilization.
Supports initiatives related to safety, patient satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.