Lead Respiratory Therapist

Description

The Lead Respiratory Therapist (LRT) is responsible for providing respiratory care services to residents in a skilled nursing facility. This position focuses on improving respiratory health, reducing avoidable hospitalizations, supporting chronic disease management, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team. The therapist will also perform Chest Physiotherapy (CPT), Spirometry testing, and other Respiratory Therapy as indicated.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Oversee all respiratory services provided by the skilled nursing facility, including therapy performed by the respiratory therapy staff. 
• Check patient caseload/census/visits daily. 
• Supervises, plans, directs, schedules and evaluates the performance of all respiratory therapy staff. 
• Responsible for attendance of facility required meetings. 
• The Lead RT works closely with the facility’s MDS department to support coordination, documentation, and accurate reporting of respiratory therapy services. 
• Works closely with the Director of Operations and Director of Clinical Operations on expenditures that relate to the therapy program. 
• Responsible for developing, augmenting, and implementing strategic planning for the Respiratory Therapy department. 
• Responsible for inputting and managing each RTS daily schedule for facility. 
• Establish and plan the RT annual in-service for all nursing staff or requested by the Skilled Nursing Facility. 
• Evaluates and assures standards of quality and safety, tracks and updates department statistics, chart audits and patient charges, and participates in quality assurance programs. 
• Delegates responsibilities and manages workflow of respiratory therapy department. 
• Ensures all respiratory equipment is in proper working order and provides maintenance as necessary. Performs/schedules annual checks and monthly equipment checks as necessary. 
• Reviews statistical information for the department and collaborates with the marketing department on appropriate marketing campaigns that are parallel to the department's needs. 
• Assumes role and responsibility of Respiratory Therapists as needed. 
• The Lead RT will work closely with the facility to ensure all facility-specific orientation requirements and required credentialing documents are completed upon hire and provided to the facility.  
• Educate all RTS and perform monthly audits of RTS to ensure current infection control guidelines are followed. In addition, every new RT will have a treatment competency check-off completed by the Lead RT confirming infection control practices and procedures are being followed. 
• Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required. 
• Ensure all respiratory services provided through our company must comply with State law, facility requirements, infection-control requirements, resident-rights requirements, physician orders, and our company’s quality and documentation standards 
• Ability to work scheduled days that are not covered. 
• Performs all other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications 

• Current Licensed Respiratory Therapist (LRT) credential required. 
• Current state licensure required. 
• Current BLS certification via American Heart Association required. 
• Experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, subacute, or hospital settings preferred. 
• Knowledge of pulmonary disease management, oxygen therapy, CPT, and Spirometry. 
• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills. 
• Customer service skills 
• Proficiency with electronic medical record (EMR) systems- Point Click Care preferred. 
• Ability to travel for implementation roll outs with new contracts. 
• Minimum of 5 years of Respiratory clinical experience required. 
• Ability to stay current on current Respiratory Care practices, procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines according to the American Association of Respiratory Care. 
• Knowledge of proper billing and charging procedures. 
• Analytical skills to troubleshoot problems with equipment, observe and evaluate patient status, etc. 
• Advanced communication skills to educate patients and families, correspond with other healthcare professionals regarding a patient's plan of care, etc. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. 
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding protected and sensitive patient information. 
• Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level. 
• Ability to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees, and regulatory agencies. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds. 
• Ability to respond quickly to resident emergencies. 
• Ability to safely use respiratory equipment. 
• Ability to transport to and from assigned Skilled Nursing Facilities. 

Schedule 

• Full-time 
• Ability to be available on weekends/evenings at times.