Respiratory Care Education & Quality Coordinator - Adult Focus

Essential Job functions:

• The Educator Coordinator responsibilities will include, but not limited to, initial and ongoing orientation, education, development, and competency of all staff in the VCU Health Respiratory Care departments.

• Obtains and maintains documentation of required competencies. Identifies opportunities for staff development and patient teaching.

• Coordination of student/clinical experience affiliates. Serve as a preceptor at times for student/clinical rotations. Flexible to work varying shifts to meet the needs of staff and department.

• Functions as a clinical expert and consultant to providers and functions as a resource person with an expert level of assessment, therapeutic and diagnostic skills in virtually all patient populations, areas or age groups.

• Maintains and updates department policy and procedure manuals annually. Ensures department safety and infection control practices. Annual CPR/JCAHO recertification class ensures 100% compliance with JCAHO mandatory education lectures and tapes, and assists with State Licensure verification and follow-up.

• Assessment of educational needs, creates and facilitates yearly competency training based on assessment of staff educational needs, orientates new staff, gatekeeper of all education provided to outside departments.

• The Quality Coordinator responsibilities will include but are not limited to, identifying opportunities to improve patient care, utilizing evidence-based medicine, and lead process improvement initiatives.

• Able to lead multidisciplinary groups to collect and analyze data. Is a representative of VCU Respiratory Care Services to other areas of the organization and works closely with staff, leaders, and physicians.

• Works clinically in times of high acuity. Flexible to work varying shifts to meet the needs of staff and department.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager or Director of Respiratory Care and/or participates in special projects to support the mission of VCUHS and department. Provides assistance to team members. Accepts alternate assignments as required.

Patient Population:

Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Neonates (0-4 weeks), Infants (1-12 months), Pediatrics (1-12 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adults (18-64 years), Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Employment Qualifications:

Required Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy, Health Administration, Public Health, Education or health related field from an accredited program

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Respiratory Therapy, Health Sciences, Health Administration, Public Health, Education or health related field from an accredited program

Licensure/Certification Required:

Commonwealth of Virginia license as Respiratory Therapist, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for, Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Licensure/Certification Preferred:

Specialty credential such as RRT-ACCS or RRT-NPS

Minimum Qualifications:

Years and Type of Required Experience:
Minimum of three (3) years of experience functioning as a Respiratory Therapist including one (1) year of supervisory and/or teaching experience

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Critical and acute respiratory care
Policy and procedure development
Communication including with medical staff
Microsoft Word and Excel

Cultural Responsiveness

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred

Working Conditions:

• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

• General office environment.

• May be required to use physical restraints.

• Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.

• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.*

• May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.*

• May have periods of constant interruptions.

* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements:

Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.), Push/Pull (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel Squat, Climb, Balance, Bending
Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing

Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards:

Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Perform Shift Work, Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder, Repetitive arm/hand movements, Finger Dexterity, Color Vision, Acuity - near, Acuity - far

Hazards: Depth perception, Use of Latex Gloves, Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents, Exposure to moving mechanical parts, Exposure to dust/fumes, Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy, Exposure to high pitched noises, Gaseous risk exposure

Mental/Sensory - Emotional:

Mental/Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent change

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.