Respiratory Team Leader

Job description

Job Requirements
The Team Leader under the guidance of the Supervisor, Department Director/Manager, and Medical Director utilizes knowledge and skill at the advanced level to provide direct age specific and culturally appropriate patient care through provision of adequate ventilation and oxygenation by use of medical gases and breathing equipment. Administers respiratory medications and performs invasive procedures, such as arterial blood sampling punctures, endotracheal intubation/extubation, tracheostomy care and other procedures as outlined on the competency grid form. The resource therapist also performs duties relating to personnel supervision and scheduling, quality control, workflow, and efficiency and serves as a clinical resource to all staff. The Team Leader is an experienced Therapist who is seen as a leader of the department.
Minimum Requirements
Education
• Associate Degree graduate of specialized training in an approved Respiratory Therapy 2 year program or meets minimum requirements to qualify to take and pass the NBRC RRT examinations

Experience
• Successful completion of new hire orientation within probationary period.
• Must successfully complete annual Respiratory Care Hospital required competency assessment.
• Must have 4-7 years of critical care experience including performing emergency and elective airway procedures.

License/Registration/Certifications
• Must be Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care with RRT credential
• Must have current South Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) License
• Must have and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Current certification in ACLS and PALS preferred

Preferred Requirements
Preferred Education
• N/A

Preferred Experience
• N/A

Preferred License/Registration/Certifications
• N/A

Core Job Responsibilities
Clinical Duties:
• Performs and documents detailed age specific respiratory assessment including heart rate, breath sounds, respiratory rate and sputum characteristics, and notifies the physician as appropriate any identified abnormalities.
• Checks EMR to verify physician orders for new/current and/or changes in orders on all assigned patients by reviewing medication list throughout the shift.
• Recommends therapy modifications to ensure appropriateness of care using medical director approved oxygen and aerosol protocols.
• Initiates mechanical invasive and non-invasive ventilation per physician order; performs ventilator bundles on all ventilated patients.
• Employee performs arterial sampling draws and moderate complexity lab testing to include blood gases, Hemoglobin, and basic electrolytes per policy and procedure. Also responsible for verifying panic values by policy.
• Responds to all assigned code 3’s/code traumas, establishes and maintains the airway.
• Assists the physician with bronchoscopy procedure as requested.
• Ensures that appropriate critical path/standard of care/plan of care is identified and collaboratively implemented.

Charge duties:
• Monitors constantly and shifts resources to meet changing needs and priorities to ensure that high quality care is provided.
• Knows department policies, procedures, equipment, trains staff, and new employees to achieve peak performance.
• Assists the Supervisor/Manager with coaching staff and corrective action in a manner that encourages self-improvement.
• Works closely with Supervisor/Manager to ensure consistency in workload and staffing needs.
• Monitors to verify hand-off and thorough report procedures are conducted on all patients.
• Verifies orders are updated in EMR and in orders management.
• Serves as role model during crisis situation.
• Check both temperatures in Point of Care Lab at the beginning of each shift.

Education / staff Development
• Assesses educational needs of staff and works with the Supervisor/Manager to provide in-services and appropriate learning opportunities that are consistent with hospital and corporate initiatives and evidence based practice.
• Serves as a clinical resource for staff, developing and assisting in orientation, annual competency and in-service training.
• Investigates and analyzes patient or staff processes, and provides guidance and problem solving opportunities to insure optimal patient care.
• Mentors/develops less-experienced staff.
• Assists the Supervisor/Manager with staff meetings, delegated committee participation, projects, record keeping, audits, and hospital initiatives
• Assists the Manager with unit meetings, delegated committee participation, projects, record keeping, audits, and hospital initiatives

Policy and Procedure
• Assists with development, yearly review and implementation of department specific policies, ensuring that policies meet the current standards of care and evidence based practice.
• Communicates regularly with the Supervisor/Manager to gather data, provide consultation, and ensure consistency in the implementation of policies and procedures.