Director of Respiratory Therapy

Brigham and Women's Hospital
United States, Massachusetts, Boston
75 Francis Street (Show on map)
Jun 09, 2025
The Director of Pulmonary Services is responsible and accountable for the overall clinical and administrative leadership of the respiratory care areas/populations in collaboration with medical leadership. In addition, the Director will also have administrative management and oversight of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) respiratory therapy staff. The scope of responsibility includes professional clinical practice, fiscal responsibilities, human resource management, academic/ educational development, research, and continuous quality improvement. Reports to the BWH Executive Director of Inpatient Services, the Medical Director, and to the DFCI Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Professional Practice -Sets departmental-based standards, monitors and evaluates the quality of patient care delivered in accordance with established Departmental, Professional, and Regulatory standards. -Develops and sustains a collaborative environment that is patient-focused and supports excellence in clinical practice. - Facilitates communication of information between department staff and administration. Provides interpretation of policies as necessary. -Participates in institutional, community, state, national, and/or professional organizations concerned with respiratory, pulmonary and health care issues. -Delegates professional practice responsibilities to Associate Director, Quality Improvement Coordinator, Clinical Coordinators and Staff as appropriate. -Evaluates methods of care delivery and makes appropriate changes when needed. -Serves as a consultant on clinical matters related to areas of expertise. -Establishes and evaluates annual departmental goals in collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team. Fiscal Management -Prepares and monitors personnel, supply, and capital budgets for assigned cost centers. -Collects and analyzes data regarding financial plan variances and develops plan to correct. -Assesses the need for adjustment of resource allocation based on changes in patient populations and clinical programs and makes recommendations to the Medical Director and Administration. -Coordinates and approves employee work schedules and validates hours worked utilizing available software systems. - Educates staff regarding department and hospital budgets in order to promote awareness of individual accountability and responsibility for departmental fiscal management. -Seeks staff input and makes recommendations for system changes to support improvement efforts. Human Resource Management -Interviews and hires department personnel considering departmental needs, clinical expertise, team temperament, diversity, and in accordance with established hospital and human resources policies. -Assures that all employees are oriented to the Hospital, Departments, and assigned Clinical Areas and that appropriate documentation of competency is completed. -Assures timely completion of competency evaluation and performance appraisal. -Assures that all department staff maintains necessary licensure. -Completes all employee status changes in a timely fashion. -Provides ongoing recognition of staff performance, including commendation of good performance and disciplining for poor performance. Development -Staff- Provides opportunities for staff development and facilitates attendance at in-service education programs, clinical teaching, staff projects/assignments, etc. -Facilitates opportunities for staff to become teachers, clinical leaders, committee members, and chairpersons. - Promotes professional development of Associate Director, Respiratory Therapists and Clinical Coordinators through mentoring, supporting attendance at educational offerings, and participation in Departmental, Hospital, and external projects, programs, and initiatives. -Provides guidance to all staff in identifying developmental needs and strategies that foster critical thinking, effective problem solving, collaboration, consultation, sound clinical judgment, and leadership. -Provides both formal and informal mechanisms to identify individual staff career goals and plans for achievement. -Self- Pursues a continuing program of self-development to remain cognizant of current trends and new methods within the respiratory and pulmonary professions and the health care environment. -Participates in Departmental, Hospital, and Professional committees and task forces. -Networks with other clinical and administrative leaders within the organization and in the community. -In collaboration with the Executive Director of Inpatient and Clinical Services, formulates individual career goals and plans for achievement. -Patient and Family Education- Assures development and implementation of departmental-based patient and family education program in accordance with Hospital, Departmental and Professional Standards. Research -Promotes respiratory and pulmonary related research to enhance knowledge and evidence-based clinical practice through:- direct participation in a research study -support of departmental-based and Hospital research initiatives -promotion and facilitation of staff participation in research projects -application of current research findings in professional respiratory care and pulmonary practice Quality Improvement -Actively participates in Brigham and Women's and DFCI Quality Improvement Programs. -Leads a service specific program of total quality management. -Incorporates Quality Improvement findings into daily operations and strategic planning for the clinical areas. Communicates outcomes to staff and elicits strategies to address further opportunities for improvement. - Provides an environment which encourages innovative approaches to care, continuous self-evaluation and improvement. Licenses and Credentials 1. Graduate of an approved School of Respiratory Care. Baccalaureate Degree required. MS preferred. 2. Must be licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 3. Must have a minimum of ten years of combined clinical and leadership experience. Prior academic experience is strongly desired. 4. Must be a registered respiratory therapist, as credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care. 5. Membership in professional organization (AARC) is required Skills - Must possess analytical abilities necessary to organize, to supervise and to evaluate the work of others; to develop and to administer policies, procedures, budgets, and utilize current concepts of respiratory and pulmonary practice. - Must possess interpersonal skills sufficient to provide effective leadership to staff, and to interact with patients, visitors, physicians, and a variety of hospital departments. - Must possess management skills to provide effective leadership to multiple levels of staff. - Must be able to deal with frequent stress due to critical issues relating to patient care, changing organizational climate, and personnel issues. This position will be 25% at BWFH and 75% at BWH. This position is responsible for care at both locations by the Respiratory Therapist team. The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.