Director of Respiratory Care

Since 1875, South Brooklyn Health has established its reputation for clinical excellence and culturally competent care. It has designations as a Certified Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an accredited Baby-Friendly Hospital, a U.S. News & World Report high performing hospital. The hospital's staff is as diverse as the patients they serve. Interpreter services can be provided at any time of the day or night in over 130 languages.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Monday - Friday - 8:00 A.M – 4:00 P.M

Purpose of Position:

The Director of Respiratory Care serves as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team overseeing all aspects of the Respiratory Care Department’s activities across the health care setting and directing and managing the daily operations of the department. The director promotes the delivery of patient-centered, quality care and a culture of safety and establishes policies that focus on high-quality clinical results and cost-effective health care services. Ensures optimal utilization of resources and compliance with the standards of respiratory care, resulting in improved patient experience.

Examples of Typical Tasks:

• Directs the overall day-to-day operations of the Respiratory Care Department’s activities following evidenced based guidelines and regulatory requirements and is accountable for the department’s operational excellence and for the quality delivery of service.
• Monitors the effectiveness of the department’s activities and departmental quality assurance programs to ensure compliance with all required protocols and regulations. Establishes service goals, identifies current problems affecting the quality of service, and recommends service and process improvement initiatives utilizing cost-effective solutions and enhancements.
• Facilitates process-improvement initiatives and monitors the impact and effectiveness of all activities.
• Develops the respiratory care quality assurance program; ensures compliance with all regulations; establishes service goals and priorities. Identifies potential problems affecting the delivery of service, and implements new opportunities for service improvement utilizing cost-effective enhancements.
• Partners with key stakeholders to define the strategic direction for the Respiratory Care Departments’ initiatives, ensuring that the plan aligns with the System’s mission, values, and business goals.
• Establishes respiratory care protocols, policies and procedures, and quality controls. Conducts ongoing review of standard operating procedures and implements all necessary revisions.
• Serves as both principal advisor and key resource to senior leadership, clinical staff, and other appropriate parties on matters pertaining to the respiratory care services.
• Responsible for oversight of all processes necessary to meet regulatory standards from various governing bodies (e.g., Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, etc.).
• Develops in-service training programs and activities for all healthcare staff. Provides orientation, training, and guidance to staff. Routinely assesses staff learning needs and implements a competency assessment program to identify gaps and evaluates the quality and effectiveness of the programs. Implements necessary changes in trainings to maximize productivity, effectiveness and efficiency of staff.
• Investigates incidents involving patient care and makes reports to the appropriate local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies. Makes recommendations for action plans for the prevention of such incidents and to determine containment and control measures to foster a culture of safety for patients, staff and visitors.
• Compiles, interprets, and reviews departmental safety data and presents key findings to all appropriate parties and collaborates with staff to create strategies and recommendations for interventions and/or methods of prevention and treatment.
• Conducts research and studies to identify and analyze trends within the respiratory care field; may participate in special studies designed to identify new and evolving industry standards.
• Prepares and/or actively participates in the development of the respiratory care fiscal year budget and allocation of funds. Ensures operations run within budgetary guidelines, reviews budget requests for respiratory care, identifies and meets staffing needs to support the continuity of care.
• Oversees processes governing the operation and maintenance of respiratory equipment, instruments, supplies and space/design. Ensures equipment needs are met, participates in the selection of new equipment and follows safety and quality management standards.
• Provides education and information on appropriate techniques and practices to clinical and non-clinical staff, community members, patients and caregivers.
• Participates in internal/external quality assurance/performance improvement (QA/PI) activities, programs, training and relevant health care events, as required.
• Ensures ongoing compliance and maintenance of the NYC Health + Hospitals policies and procedures with national standards and other applicable external regulatory requirements, guidelines and accreditation authorities, as well as safety and quality management standards.
• Performs other related duties, as directed.

Qualification Requirements:
1. Holds and maintains a Respiratory Therapist License issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED); and,
2. Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Respiratory Therapy, Public Health, or a related field; and, five (5) years of satisfactory Respiratory Department experience in a hospital or health care setting, three (3) years of which must have been in a responsible administrative, managerial or supervisory capacity; or,
3. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in fields, as described in “2” above; and, seven (7) years of satisfactory Respiratory Department experience in a hospital or health care setting, three (3) years of which must have been in a responsible administrative, managerial or supervisory capacity; or,
4. A satisfactory equivalent of education, training, and experience. However, all candidates must have at least a Baccalaureate degree in fields, as described in “2” above, and be licensed and currently registered by the NYSED to practice as a Respiratory Therapist in New York State.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• College Savings Program
• Union Benefits for eligible titles
• Multiple employee discounts programs
• Commuter Benefits Programs

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.