Respiratory Therapist Clinical Specialist - 36 Hours Midnight Shift

Respiratory Therapist-Clinical Specialist

Under general direction, the Respiratory Therapist-Clinical Specialist (RT-CS) provides direction and supervision in the role of on-site Respiratory Therapy leader. In line with the AARC our RT-CS is a patient care practitioner whose specializes in a care location or patient population. The specialist is the lead or senior practitioner who is responsible administering all forms of care. Works collaboratively with the Respiratory Therapy Director, Manager and leadership team with regards to development and implementation of departmental goals, personnel management, and as emissary to assigned area of expertise. The RT-CS is responsible for facilitating staff assignments, coordination of work, adjusting work assignments as necessary to meet the needs of all Respiratory Therapy patients. Monitors attendance, productivity and utilization of labor, supplies and services in a fiscally prudent manner. Acts as a resource person to all staff including Medical, Nursing and Administrative leadership in assigned areas. Monitors and addresses quality assurance and patient risk, management issues, assuring that policies, procedures, departmental, institutional and regulatory standards are followed. Assists with development and implementation of Policies and Procedures. Participates in orientation of staff and student training programs representing the Respiratory Therapy department in but not limited to, job shadowing, simulation training and teaching of core specific classes for Henry Ford Health System which is a teaching institution.

Principle duties and responsibilities include:

• Behaves in accordance with the Mission, Vision and guiding behaviors of HFHS.
• Uses "AIDET" principles when interfacing/treating every patient throughout the organization. (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank You).
• Provides professional leadership in the development and delivery of patient care.
• When in the role of shift leader, preceptor:
• Provides supervision for the staff through direction, delegation and collaboration
• Assigns and coordinates daily work assignments of respiratory care personnel. Adjusts staffing level and as needed to cover patterns of coverage, orientations, emergencies, sick calls and changes in patient volume & acuity effectively utilizing the productivity model.
• Coordinates departmental response to cardiopulmonary arrest situations, and other emergency situations.
• Provides a consistent experience to patients, families, visitors and internal customers by using "Key Words at Key Times." Specifically, uses key words to help patients to understand what is happening with their care, help internal customers understand their service better, and build relationships.
• Directs work through team development and regular employee staff meetings/huddles.
• Facilitates good rapport and cooperative relationships approaching conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.
• Collaborates with assigned clinical unit teams and RT staff to facilitate consistent high quality care of our patients.
• Makes patient rounds observing cardiopulmonary staff to ensure treatment is provided in accordance with physician's orders and approved department, institutional, regulatory policies and procedures.
• Functions as a resource person to staff in resolution of difficult non-routine problems requiring ability to trouble shoot procedures or equipment.
• Coordinates quality assurance and patient risk management programs.
• Tracks specialty equipment such as but not restricted to; sleep oximetry, sleep studies, metabolic, PFT studies and EDM monitors implements processes to record findings/report findings.
• Communicates and maintains policies and procedures, quality assurance programs, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Identifies potential risk issues and prepares response and collaborative implementation plan.
• Performs all duties and responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapist per AARC guidelines, obtains and maintains competencies of a Respiratory Therapist job description.
• Responsible for assuring proper documentation (record keeping) for Joint Commission, CAP and other regulatory agencies.
• Maintains high standards of clinical excellence, according to Departmental policies. Demonstrates proficiency in various Departmental subspecialties, clinical areas, and special procedure teams, as assigned. Works in various IPD and OPD locations, ICUs and System campuses, as assigned and applicable.
• Maintains professionalism and personal development and clinical expertise by attending conferences, participating in in services, leadership meetings, huddles, peer review/chart review as appropriate.
• Participates in Departmental Clinical Research and quality initiatives.
• Provide/complete quarterly feedback from personal touch base with staff assigned for connectedness as related to competency validations for bi-annual evaluations.
• Responsible for equipment management, according to Departmental Policies and Procedures in terms of efficacy and safety.
• Participates in new program development and capital acquisitions
• Acts as Respiratory Therapy liaison communicating with Medical, Nursing and Administrative leadership.
• Participates in the Departmental Leadership Team activities.

Additional duties and responsibilities include:

• Assists Manager/Director with interviewing and hiring.
• Actively involved in coordinating, and collaboration of respiratory care related research activities, data collection, quality assurance etc.
• Responsible for own education for professional growth and maintains log of activities.
• Completes yearly education on a timely basis per HFHS standards
• Completes all Mandatory reviews and in-services in a timely manner.

Education/Experience Required:

• Graduation from an accredited Respiratory Therapist program with Associate Degree required. Bachelors in Respiratory Therapy preferred.
• Three to five (3-5) years of recent Respiratory Therapist experience and/or 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Clinical Specialist will consistently exhibit interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate with department leadership, staff, patients, physicians and other health personnel during all situations and in line with our mission and values
• Clinical Specialist will have and utilize analytical skills necessary to identify patient's needs,
• Clinical Specialist will possess and exhibit the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 100% of work time.
• Ability to walk and stand for approximately 60% of work time and to lift, pull, push and carry portable equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.

Certifications/Licensures Required:

• Current Registration with the National Board of Respiratory Care.
• Valid current License - Respiratory Therapist in the State of Michigan.
• Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards and behaviors as outlined in the HFHS' Customer Service Policy
• Must practice the customer skills as provided through on-going training and in-services.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions :

• Work performed in a patient care setting and blood-analysis laboratories with potential exposure to communicable disease.
• Work with pressurized piped-in and bottled medical gases. Incorrect lifting, moving and use of equipment could result in personal, patient and/or equipment injury.
• Must be able to constantly move, lift patients, help push patients on hospital beds, and move heavy equipment across the Hospital.
• Limited noise, temperature fluctuation and dust are possible.