Lead Respiratory Therapist

About the position

The Lead respiratory care practitioner (RCP) is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the treatment, care, and needs for the patients ordered for respiratory care. The Lead RCP is also responsible for assessing staffing needs and organizes, distributes, and evaluates assignments when directing other RCP's. Follows the flex staffing order, monitoring staffing needs no less than every four (4) hours and maintains required documentation when adjusting staffing levels. Assure the daily meal break coverage assignment is posted and provides oversight to assure shift report occurs on time and the shift completes the shift on time. The Lead RCP attends all code Blues, rapid responses, and provides secondary support for code trauma in the Emergency department, as well as performs all bronchoscopy assists and procedural support. Attends daily rounds with the medical and surgical intensivists assuring the assigned RCP's are in attendance for patient care rounds, assures blood gas lab equipment is maintained on a daily basis, documenting regulatory requirements to include temp and humidity, and performing quality control. Assist with clinical instruction, serves as a resource therapist, and completes skill checkoff, performance monitor and/or competencies as required. Collects all QA data for department specific quality measures and provides reports on a monthly basis. Keeps department director directly informed throughout the shift and reports all deviation of care or behavior. Under general supervision and medical direction, provides any of all or all of the designated respiratory care therapies designed to care for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities which affect the pulmonary system and associated aspects of cardiopulmonary function.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate treatment and care for patients ordered for respiratory care.
• Assess staffing needs and organize, distribute, and evaluate assignments for other RCPs.
• Monitor staffing needs every four hours and maintain documentation for staffing adjustments.
• Post daily meal break coverage assignments and ensure timely shift reports.
• Attend all code Blues and rapid responses, providing secondary support for code trauma.
• Perform bronchoscopy assists and procedural support.
• Attend daily rounds with medical and surgical intensivists.
• Maintain blood gas lab equipment and document regulatory requirements.
• Assist with clinical instruction and complete skill checkoff and performance monitoring.
• Collect QA data for department quality measures and provide monthly reports.
• Keep department director informed throughout the shift and report deviations in care.

Requirements

• State Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) License required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross upon hire and maintain current.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) required.
• 2 years' experience as an RCP preferred.
• ACLS certificate within 60 days of hire and maintain current.
• NRP certificate preferred.
• PALS certificate within 60 days of hire and maintain current.
• Associate Degree or Bachelor of Science degree preferred.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• 401K retirement plan
• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Tuition reimbursement
• Voluntary benefit options