In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.

While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

JOB SUMMARY  

This position is responsible for the coordination, supervision and evaluation of the respiratory therapy services at the assigned CHI-Franciscan facility in accordance with established guidelines, professional standards and applicable regulatory requirements.  An incumbent may perform patient care activities within scope of licensure as necessary. If assigned to including providing advanced respiratory care involving both therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. 

Work includes: 1) supervising assigned staff (e.g. hiring, training, scheduling and evaluating) engaged in respiratory care activities in accordance with professional standards and established clinical protocols; 2) identifying opportunities to streamline current operations to better meet quality and customer service standards/objectives; 3) problem-solving, troubleshooting and appropriate escalation of issues to higher-level management; 4) researching new technologies for other functions that provide respiratory care services; and 6) supervising the work of respiratory therapists.  An incumbent may perform some patient care activities within scope of licensure on an incidental basis as needed.  

Work requires knowledge of the concepts, professional standards and methodologies applicable to the respiratory care discipline, and of applicable regulatory requirements sufficient to ensure quality and compliant patient interactions and interventions care; exercise judgment/critical thinking in applying clinical guidelines and standards to determine the appropriate level of care, intensity of service, length of stay and place of service.  Also requires expertise in supervising and evaluating the work of subordinate clinical staff.  An incumbent works with higher level management on the implementation of significant changes in clinical standards, protocols and/or work flow.  Occasional travel between facilities may be required.

If assigned tothe NICU, work also includes:  1)attending to high risk deliveries in the Level II and Level III NICU; 2) providing training to facilitate standardization of respiratory therapy-related supplies, equipment and procedures; and 3) participation in the Neonatal Transport Service Team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

OPERATIONS

• Supervises daily respiratory care operations of the assigned facility to facilitate the safe and appropriate delivery of diagnostic and/or therapeutic patient care, facilitate achievement of clinical core measurement scores and to ensure that all activities are conducted in a timely and cost-effective manner and in compliance with organizational values, professional standards, internal policies/standards/procedures and/or applicable legal/regulatory requirements. 
• Oversees the resolution of daily clinical, administrative and operational issues, and monitors/troubleshoots service recovery and other escalated concerns, resolving within defined scope of responsibility; implements and enforces quality control/quality assurance and productivity standards. 
• Ensures that applicable standards, protocols and procedures are understood and followed by all stakeholders; monitors and audits related documentation to ensure conformance with established standards relating to timeliness, and accuracy; prepares periodic productivity reports and program updates for review of higher-level authority.
• In coordination with facility and/or respiratory therapy leadership, develops and/or implements uniform clinical guidelines and policies for respiratory care regionally to facilitate standardization and consistent practice.   
• Works with facility and/or respiratory therapy leadership to develop, train and establish a team capable of providing all aspects of respiratory care in the transport environment; assists in the development and maintenance of clinical protocols, policiesand procedures and clinical guidelines for respiratory care in the transport environment.   If assigned to the NICU, maintains supplies and equipment utilized by the transport service.
• Provides education and clinical/technical support to respiratory therapy staff and to staff members of other departments with regard to the introduction of new technology, including orientation of new employees.  

STAFF SUPERVISION AND DEVELOPMENT:

• Schedules, supervises and evaluates the work of assigned clinical staff in accordance with established procedures; assists in identifying adequate staffing levels for appropriate coverage to meet budgetary and operational objectives; provides on-the-job training and ensures that staff are qualified and properly trained to perform assigned job duties; 
• Prioritizes patient load and assigns staff to address urgent and non-urgent patient care needs as identified by the multidisciplinary clinical team; approves rescheduling and replacement staff for assigned work unit in accordance with established standards; approves timecards.
• Interviews job candidates and makes employment and other personnel recommendations in accordance with established guidelines; orients new employees and holds regular staff meetings to keep staff appraised of all matters relevant to successful job performance; approves timecards; 
• Communicates performance standards, assesses clinical competency and evaluates employee performance; counsels employees, providing constructive feedback and recognizing results achieved; participates in performance management activities. 
• Resolves technical issues referred by subordinates as beyond their scope of authority. 

Performs respiratory patient care to include therapeutic and diagnostic procedures (e.g.Aerosol Therapy, ABGs, ETTs, Bronchus, ECGs, CPT, Vent Care, CPAP/BIPAP therapy, etc.) and related protocols in accordance with all department safety, risk management and procedural standards; monitors patients for adverse reaction and takes timely and appropriate corrective action..

• Under the direction of NNP, performs activities relating to ventilator/CPAP/Airway management, surfactant replacement and all other modalities of respiratory care within scope of practice.
• Checks and stocks respiratory therapy supplies and equipment.  

Education/Work Experience Requirements

Graduation from an approved school of Respiratory Therapy, and four years of related work experience that would demonstrate attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities, including two years in a “lead” or supervisory capacity.  

Licensure/Certification

• Certification through the National Board of Respiratory Care and a license to practice respiratory care through the Washington State Department of Health required.  
• Registration through the National Board of Respiratory Care.
• Current healthcare provider BLS Certification.
• Current ACLS Certification unless assigned to NICU or Hyperbaric Medicine.  
• If assigned to NICU:  Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) must be obtained within 90 days. 

If assigned to Hyperbaric Medicine: Must attend a Certified Hyperbaric Training course within 90 days of date of hire and will be required to obtain the Certified Hyperbaric Technician (CHT) within 120 days of date of hire.