Respiratory Therapy Manager

Department: Respiratory Care Services
Reports To: Chief Operational Officer

Position Summary

The Respiratory Therapy Manager is responsible for the operational, clinical, and financial oversight of respiratory care services across assigned areas (e.g., ICU, ER, inpatient units, outpatient services). This role ensures high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, staff development, and efficient departmental performance aligned with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Operations

• Oversee delivery of respiratory therapy services including:
  • Mechanical ventilation management
  • Airway management and intubation support
  • Bronchoscopy assistance
  • Non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP/CPAP, HFNC)
  • Arterial blood gas collection and analysis
  • Pulmonary function testing (if applicable)
• Ensure adherence to evidence-based practices and clinical protocols
• Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes

2. Leadership & Staff Management

• Supervise, coach, and develop respiratory therapists and support staff
• Manage staffing models, scheduling, and productivity standards
• Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement

3. Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure compliance with:
  • Joint Commission standards
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation
  • State Board of Respiratory Care requirements
• Maintain readiness for surveys and audits
• Oversee policy development and updates (e.g., ventilator management, emergency response, infection control)

4. Quality & Performance Improvement

• Lead departmental quality initiatives using methodologies such as:
  • Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC)
  • A3 problem-solving
• Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs):
  • Ventilator-associated events (VAE)
  • First-pass intubation success rate
  • Therapy utilization and productivity
• Implement corrective actions based on data analysis

5. Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage departmental budget
• Monitor labor productivity and cost per unit of service
• Oversee supply and equipment utilization
• Participate in capital planning (e.g., ventilators, bronchoscopes, monitoring systems)
• Ensure accurate charge capture and documentation for reimbursement

6. Equipment & Technology Management

• Oversee maintenance and utilization of respiratory equipment:
  • Ventilators (e.g., Servo-i/u)
  • High-flow systems (e.g., Vapotherm)
  • Aerosol delivery systems (e.g., Aerogen)
• Coordinate with biomedical engineering and vendors
• Lead implementation of new technologies and staff training

7. Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Work closely with:
  • Nursing leadership
  • Medical staff (Pulmonology, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine)
  • Pharmacy (e.g., medication delivery, crash cart processes)
  • Infection control and quality departments
• Support hospital-wide initiatives and committees

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy or related field (required)
• Master’s degree (e.g., MHA, MBA) preferred

Licensure & Certifications

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) – National Board for Respiratory Care
• State licensure (as applicable)
• BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP

Experience

• 5+ years of clinical respiratory therapy experience
• 2+ years in a leadership or supervisory role preferred

Core Competencies

• Clinical expertise in cardiopulmonary care
• Leadership and team development
• Financial and operational acumen
• Regulatory knowledge and survey readiness
• Data-driven decision-making
• Communication and stakeholder engagement

Work Environment

• Hospital setting
• Exposure to high-acuity patients and critical care environments
• May require on-call availability and off-shift leadership support

Key Performance Indicators 

• Staff productivity (units of service per FTE)
• Ventilator days and outcomes
• Compliance with documentation and protocols
• Patient satisfaction and clinical quality scores
• Budget adherence