Manager, Respiratory Therapy Unit - Full-Time - Hackensack Meridian Health

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

Oversee, organize, staff, direct, and control the respiratory department assigned shift within the facility. Supervise all administrative and technical service of this shift delegating appropriate responsibilities to staff members and charge therapist and equipment technician. Ensure departmental compliance with Medical Center and regulatory agency standards. Operate department(s) within approved budgets. Promote quality services through the development of Performance Improvement programs. Responsible for executing and harmonizing best practices, pathways, protocols, equipment procurement, policies, and practices in addition to identifying technology, innovation and growth opportunities. Reviews, develops, and implements departmental policies and procedures in line with the network-wide respiratory standardization initiatives.

A day in the life of a Manager, Respiratory Therapy Unit at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Responsible for the overall direction and supervision of all components of the assigned shift in the respiratory department within the medical center.
• Directs all activities of the respiratory department in accordance with applicable regulations, accreditation standards, certification and licensing requirements (State, Federal, TJC, NJDOH, State of New Jersey, CLIA, CAP, and others).
• Adheres to the standards identified in the facility's Organizational & Managerial Competencies and network-wide respiratory policies and procedures.
• Adheres with and executes processes for monitoring, evaluating, and improving departmental operations, systems, and services, as well as addressing through appropriate documentation and communication.
• Coordinates and oversees the implementation process for all network-wide policies and procedures.
• Ensures that all respiratory staff are in keeping with regulatory agency requirements and facility policies and procedures relative to safety and security, including, but not limited to:
  • New employee orientation
  • Periodic safety/disaster training
  • Accident/incident report
  • Annual TJC, and OSHA required programs and standards
• In partnership with the Respiratory Director, evaluates, monitors, oversees and keeps current the training and orientation program of new employees as per HMH HR policies. Ensures that the program addresses all aspects of the employee's job description, and appropriately qualifies new employees to perform all job functions and operate all equipment as required for their position.
• Works with the facility Respiratory Director to ensure that the equipment is adequate to meet the community needs. Maintains existing equipment through use of centrally determined contractual services, monitors all repairs of purchases and installation of existing and new equipment. Ensures that all applicable regulations, both State and Federal, are met.
• Helps the medical center achieve optimum patient experience and service recovery by leveraging results Patient Experience analyses and implementing relevant improvements to local respiratory processes.
• Monitors, trends and analyzes incident reports to determine potential flaws in systems or staff compliance with established policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for patients.
• Assists in the development of budgets, monitors relevant key financial indicators and performance metrics as it relates to changing financial situations. Develops, recommends and implements actions or process improvements aligned to network-wide respiratory strategy.
• Supports the Respiratory Directors in the implementation of evidence-based protocols through coordination with respiratory council, physicians, nursing, allied health professionals and other related team members.

• Seek outs and initiates solutions to problems, including barriers to implementation of network-level strategy at the facility. Identifies issues of importance and assists develop relevant policies, programs and proposals for potential implementation, in coordination with the facility respiratory director,adherence to network policies and programs.
• Bring local insights and shares best practices on growth and performance to the facility respiratory director.
• Responsible for achieving strategy targets for the assigned shift/facility set by site respiratory director, respiratory therapy CNO and local CNO, and seeks help when needed.

• Works with the relevant facility leaders as required to promote quality and safe and effective care throughout the organization.
• Works with facility respiratory director to ensure appropriate service metrics are maintained ie. turnaround time
• Prepares, maintains, and analyzes statistical data reflecting departmental activities and reports information to Respiratory Directors and local Administration. Uses data for Performance Improvement activities, budget preparation, and departmental strategic planning.
• Brings voice of facility patient experience back to the Respiratory Director for incorporation into formulation of network policies and strategies.
• Utilizes local insights as well as analyses from the Respiratory Director and respiratory therapy CNO, implement relevant local changes to lower error rates, improve patient outcomes, and improve turnaround times and throughput.

• Oversees and ensures time keeping, the scheduling of holidays and vacations, the recording of sick time, and submits bi-weekly for payroll.
• Assists in for decisions regarding hiring, performance evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of key subordinates within the facility respiratory therapy department.
• Accountable for the development of respiratory therapy department staff through supervision, relevant formal and informal training, and other programs, with documentation of plans, results, and mutual feedback. Assists in the oversee the annual needs assessment and incorporate identified needs into development plans. When relevant, select staff to attend outside seminars/programs.
• Assists for the orientation of all new respiratory therapy department personnel and cross-training development according to department policy and procedure. Complete new and current employee orientation and cross-training checklist with each new and current employee within specified time frame.
• When relevant, plans, directs, and actively participates in the education of hospital personnel, medical staff, community agencies, and consumers regarding respiratory therapy procedures and processes.
• Obtains approval from the Respiratory Director and relevant facility parties.

• Serves as a member of relevant facility or network committees, as assigned.
• Must acquire and maintain competencies, certifications and continuing education in order to meet any facility accreditation or individual licensing requirements.
• Builds strong relationships with the facility physicians, nurses and communicate effectively on appropriate procedures and trends.

• Represents HMH and the facility in community, state, and national programs/organizations pertinent to respiratory therapy and related fields.

• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

• Bachelor's or associate's degree in relevant field or comparable experience, i.e. 10 years of clinical experience in Respiratory Care
• Graduate of an AMA accredited Respiratory Care program.
• 3 years adult critical care experience
• 3 years of acute care supervisory experience
• Knowledge of medical procedures, equipment, supplies, and terminology.

• Master's degree
• Previous Respiratory Therapy managerial experience preferred at the manager or supervisor level
• Two years experience in neonatal, pediatric and emergency medicine preferred.
• Two years experience blood gas analyzer equipment preferred
• Experience with EPIC HIS system preferred

• NJ State Department of Consumer Affairs Respiratory Care Practitioner License (RCP)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialed by the National Board of Respiratory Care.
• AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification - BLS

• NPS, ACLS, PALS and NRP certification

• Regular contact with medical personnel and its visitors.

• Lifts a minimum of 35 lbs., pushes and pulls a minimum of 165 lbs. and stands a minimum of 3 hours a day.

If you feel the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!