Job Summary
The Respiratory Care Supervisor provides all modes of respiratory care and diagnostics, on physician order, within the Critical Care, General Care Medical/Surgical units, specialty departments, and long-term care facility, as required. Acts on a broad knowledge base and experience in working with physicians and other health-care providers. The Respiratory Care Supervisor directs day to day operations of the department. Acts as a resource person for other members of the department, participates in quality improvement activities, and committees as directed by the department manager/director.
Essential Job Functions
Articulate compelling program direction and translate direction into goals. Model and exemplify the Leadership Pledge in a consistent and proactive manner. Lead change in a complex healthcare environment. Align department with strategy map and continually work to implement drivers in support of Independence Health mission and vision. Act promptly to resolve problems and initiate better ways of doing things by acting as a catalyst for change. Implement at least one process improvement initiative for department on an annual basis. Investigate root case analysis of recurring problems and take appropriate action. Tie contributions to bigger goals while influencing and persuading others by building commitment among diverse groups. Demonstrate ability to eliminate silos by modeling actions and setting example and influence others to think and act as a unified health system. Challenge oneself to a higher level of performance by taking responsibility for professional growth and development. Promote Independence Health through participation in one community outreach or educational event per year. Hold self and others accountable and take responsibility for outcomes. Establish and maintain a safe working environment and assure staff complies with safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines. Equitably apply policies and procedures by issuing corrective action in a fair and consistent manner. Demonstrate expectation of confidentiality by continually encouraging staff to keep private information confidential and share information on a need to know basis. Assess customer’s needs, exceed customer expectations, and consider customers in decision making to improve customer satisfaction. Perform in accordance with Independence Health behavioral standards in support of the mission, vision, and values. Actively and positively promote the Respect and Recognition initiatives by supporting staff participation in committee membership, activities, and projects. Analyze issues before acting, generate creative ideas, detect patterns and connections, and break down complex problems. Practice participatory leadership by involving staff in decision-making and problem solving. Act on most urgent tasks, leverage available resources, review own workload, implement workable systems, and provide clear direction. Provide constructive feedback to help others improve performance and articulate areas of deficiency. Provide opportunities for staff to actively provide input into decision-making process. Update stakeholders on project progress. Facilitate open communication, diffuse sources of conflict, demonstrate respect for others, and diplomatically negotiate solutions. Facilitate teamwork through coaching and mentoring staff.
Specialty Job Functions
Performance of Technical Practice Provides highly technical Respiratory Care procedures in any environment following unit specific orientation Initiates and maintains ventilator management for patient on life support except at Westmoreland Manor. Performs arterial puncture and blood gas analysis. Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation for all age groups served. Maintains and monitors the function of all Respiratory Care equipment in use. Acts as a resource to other health care providers, regarding clinical issues. Patient Care Assesses patients for require respiratory care services. Reassesses daily or as often as necessary. Administers inhaled medications, monitors patient reaction to medication, reports response and/or adverse reaction to nurse and physician. Provides patient and family or care giver with education related to disease process or dysfunction, therapy ordered, medication, dosage, methods and equipment use and functions. Participates in interdisciplinary care-planning process as required by various nursing or patient care units, and in discharge planning process as needed. Clinical decision-Making: Assimilates large quantities of data while caring for critically ill patients. Modifies and directs respiratory care procedures and diagnostics, based on acquired data and patient clinical findings. Assists with the coordination of patient care relating to cardiopulmonary dysfunction, in co-operation with the physician, nurse, and other health care providers. Policy and Procedure Understands department policy and procedure to assure compliance with same. Avoids deviation from policy and/or procedure preventing the potential for adverse effect either on an employee, patient or visitor. Reviews departmental policy and procedure on an annual basis and make recommendations for appropriate changes. Communication Provides clear, concise, organized written and oral communication to management and staff. Interacts effectively with physicians, patients, management and co-workers. Documents in a neat, timely and legible fashion as appropriate. Documents in EMR per department guidelines. Serves as a liaison and positive role model to other departments. Communicates directly with physician regarding patient respiratory status, recommendations for therapy, and diagnostic testing. Takes and transcribes verbal and telephone orders from physicians. Information Processing Transcribes and carries out orders correctly. Utilizes all applicable information systems appropriately. Charges equipment, supplies and services accurately. Quality Assessment and Improvement Demonstrates ongoing awareness and participation in quality improvement program. Responds with improved performance to results obtained from QA monitors. Identifies problems and reports to manager/director when appropriate. Locates and uses reference manuals Maintains a working knowledge of department and system policy and procedure. Locates and uses department and system protocols, procedures, and policy manuals such as infection control, MSDS, OSHA, and on line policy manuals. Performs specialized procedures, tasks, and functions. These may vary between entities and not all RCPs will perform these functions. Specialized orientation/training will be provided to RCPs performing the following tasks. Performs therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures. Completes blood gas and electrolyte analysis. Performs all required diagnostic pulmonary function testing. Completes pulmonary stress and metabolic testing. Functions as a member of the Rapid Response team. Participates as an integral member of emergency resuscitation teams serving all age groups. Performs EKG's. Performs Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Phlebotomy on Patients at Westmoreland Manor. Leadership: Serves as clinical role model for the Respiratory Care Department. Assists the manager/director with the daily management of the department. Supervises staff through the appropriate delegation of clinical duties and responsibilities. Develops a mentoring role with staff. Management responsibilities: Assists with the implementation and progression towards department goals. Assists with budget maintenance and constantly seeks ways to improve efficiency. Facilitates effective staff orientation and in-service programs. Adjusts staffing patterns in the most cost-effective manner that meets patient needs. Participates in the hiring of new employees, annual performance appraisals and disciplinary processes. Assists with supervising progress towards and adherence to department objectives, policies and productivity standards. Encourages staff participation in workshops and community activities. Education: Plans, directs and implements departmental education initiatives. Coordinates interdepartmental education programs. Participates in community events as required. Supervises inventory control and orders equipment as needed. Facilitates and participates in licensing agency inspections. Monitors areas of responsibility to ensure a neat and organized appearance. Effectively investigates and provides follow-up on customer satisfaction issues. Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy Program. Registered Respiratory Therapist and three (3) to five (5) years progressively more responsible experience in the field of respiratory care and ability to demonstrate knowledge in Respiratory Care Equipment, Department Operations, Regulatory Agency Compliance. Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice. Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience. Medical Terminology Knowledge of basic Office Equipment such as copier, fax machine, etc. Proficiency in the use of Excel Spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and various software programs Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Care or related field preferred. Two (2) to Four (4) years supervisory/management experience in health care facility. Critical Care Experience ACLS Previous experience in a lead role or training equivalent as the same. Experience in Pulmonary Function testing, bronchoscopies, blood gas analysis, and neonatal mechanical ventilation. Neonatal resuscitation course and PALS.
License, Certification & Clearances
Current licensure to practice in the State of Pennsylvania. Act 33 with renewal. Act 34 with renewal. Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.). Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health locations.
AAP/EEO
Independence Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Independence Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Independence Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.
Work Environment
Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never
Extreme Heat
x
Extreme Cold
x
Heights
x
Confined Spaces
x
Extreme Noise(>85dB)
x
Mechanical Hazards
x
Use of Vibrating Tools
x
x
Operates Vehicle (Company)
x
Operates Heavy Equipment
x
Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices
x
x
Rotates All Shifts
x
x
8 Hours Shifts
x
x
10-12 Hours Shifts
x
x
On-Call
x
Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hrs/wk)
x
x
Travel Between Sites
x
x
Direct Patient Care
x
x
Respirator Protective Equipment
x
x
Eye Protection
x
x
Head Protection (hard hat)
x
Hearing Protection
x
Hand Protection
x
x
Feet, Toe Protection
x
x
Body Protection
x
x
Latex Exposure
x
x
Solvent Exposure
x
Paint (direct use) Exposure
x
Dust (sanding) Exposure
x
Ethylene Oxide Exposure
x
Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
x
Blood/Body Fluid Exposure
x
x
Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
x
Mist Exposure
x
Wax Stripper (direct use)
x
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure
x
x
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
x
Laser Exposure
x
Physical Demands
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never
Bending (Stooping)
x
x
Sitting
x
x
Walking
x
x
Climbing Stairs
x
x
Climbing Ladders
x
Standing
x
x
Kneeling
x
x
Squatting (Crouching)
x
x
Twisting/Turning
x
x
Keyboard/Computer Operation
x
x
Gross Grasp
x
x
Fine Finger Manipulation
x
x
Hand/Arm Coordination
x
x
Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)
x
10#
50#
Carry
x
10#
Transfer/Push/Pull Patients
x
x
Seeing Near w/Acuity
x
x
Feeling (Sensation)
x
x
Color Vision
x
x
Hearing Clearly
x
x
Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead
x
x
Reaching Above Shoulder Level
x
x
Reaching Forward
x
x
Lifting Floor to Knuckle
###
20#
30#
Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle
###
20#
30#
Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder
###
20#
30#
Lifting Shoulder to Overhead
###
20#
30#
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.