Clinical Service Leader - Respiratory Therapy

Position Overview

Provides clinical supervision of respiratory therapists and support staff. May be asked to participate in the clinical supervision of student respiratory therapists or students of other health care professions.

Under the general direction of the Manager (or Designate), the incumbent is responsible for:

• Overseeing the daily clinical service delivery and environmental/operational issues in the designated service area to ensure optimum client care in a safe therapeutic environment.
• Providing guidance to respiratory therapists and support staff within the designated service area through clinical leadership, mentoring, supervision, education, evaluation, and research.
• Contributing to the delivery of quality respiratory therapy services by examining, developing, refining and evaluating the body of knowledge and clinical practices and assisting in program planning and development.
• Coordinating the repair and maintenance of equipment; establishing preventative maintenance processes; ordering of equipment and supplies; and troubleshooting of equipment.
• Maintaining a partial clinical caseload within the established standards of care.

Experience

• Minimum of five years recent, relevant Respiratory Therapy experience is required.
• Supervisory experience is preferred.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Entry-to-practice academic credential in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited Canadian program or a MARRT approved equivalent if internationally educated is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy or another field of study with a relevant major is preferred.
• Training in fiscal and human resource management preferred.
• Certification as an instructor in at least one of the following: Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support or Certification as an Asthma and/or COPD Educator preferred.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Current registration with the MARRT is required.
• Current registration/membership in the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) is required or an equivalent professional organization, as determined by the employer, for therapists not eligible for CSRT registration.
• Current certification in basic CPR required.
• Certification as a BCLS instructor is preferred.

Qualifications and Skills

• Knowledge of:
  • General knowledge of the regulations and scope of practice documents that guide the practice of respiratory therapy and relevant support workers.
  • Sound knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice.
  • Working knowledge of research/program evaluation methodology.
  • Knowledge of integrated hospital information systems, including a Respiratory Therapy workload measurement system, would be an asset.
  • Training in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching and mentoring abilities.
• Ability to initiate and support change.
• Ability to critically evaluate and apply relevant knowledge to practice.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills 
• Excellent interpersonal and role-modeling skills.
• Good organizational, problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Ability to function creatively and with minimal direction.
• Demonstrated commitment to continued professional development.
• Ability to function within a computerized environment.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit, stand or walk for extended periods of time without resting.
• Must demonstrate the use of safe and effective body mechanics while working with clients.
• Manual dexterity and visual acuity are required.
• Ability to stand and walk and perform manual ventilation with one or both hands for prolonged periods.
• Ability to run to emergencies.
• Ability to lift heavy medical equipment including measuring devices, monitors, D and E size gas cylinders and other equipment (weighing up to 15 pounds/6.8 kg).
• Ability to push wheeled medical equipment.
• Ability to move H and M size gas cylinders (weighing 66 to 100 pounds/30 to 45.5 kg).
• Ability to assist with the positioning of clients.
• May be required to occasionally work extended hours.
• May be required to work a variety of shifts including weekends.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases, blood and body fluids, radiation, toxic materials, noise, allergens, physical and emotional stress, etc.
• May encounter aggressive and/or agitated clients/staff/visitors.