Director of Respiratory Therapy at Russellville Hospital Position Summary The Respiratory Therapy Director leads the clinical, operational, personnel, and financial performance of Respiratory Therapy at Russellville Hospital, a 49-bed rural acute care hospital. This is a working director role that combines department leadership with direct patient care and clinical coverage based on patient acuity, workload, and staffing needs. The director builds a dependable team, maintains clear communication, and ensures responsive respiratory services throughout the hospital. Leadership and Staff Accountability

• Provide visible, accessible leadership; conduct regular department meetings and individual check-ins, communicate changes across all shifts, and follow through on staff concerns.
• Manage recruitment, orientation, competency validation, coaching, performance evaluations, and corrective action in coordination with Human Resources and the CEO.
• Develop schedules and coverage plans based on patient acuity, treatment volume, and required competencies. Monitor vacancies, overtime, call coverage, and staff fatigue; escalate unresolved coverage needs promptly.
• Build staff retention and professional development plans, promote respectful teamwork, and address communication or performance concerns consistently. Clinical Care and Patient Safety
• Maintain bedside competence and provide respiratory assessments, ordered treatments, oxygen therapy, airway support, and invasive and noninvasive ventilatory care within licensure, demonstrated competency, and hospital policy.
• Coordinate respiratory support for the Emergency Department, Medical Surgical unit, ICU, and other assigned areas. Participate in emergency response and patient stabilization or transfer as needed.
• Work with the designated physician medical director, treating providers, nursing leadership, and other departments to maintain appropriate clinical protocols, escalation processes, and continuity of care.
• Ensure timely treatment, reassessment, patient and family education, and complete documentation. Identify and escalate changes in patient condition, treatment delays, equipment concerns, and safety events. Department Operations
• Maintain essential equipment, supplies, and emergency readiness; coordinate preventive maintenance, cleaning, inventory, and replacement needs with appropriate hospital departments.
• Balance bedside assignments with protected time for essential leadership duties. Maintain a contingency plan for unexpected absences and changes in patient demand. Quality and Regulatory Readiness
• Maintain department policies, staff credentials, competency records, and survey readiness consistent with applicable requirements and hospital accreditation standards.
• Lead respiratory quality improvement, chart audits, infection prevention practices, and follow-up on incidents or complaints in collaboration with Quality and clinical leadership.
• Support accurate respiratory documentation and charge capture in TruBridge; work with IT and Revenue Cycle to resolve workflow problems and provide staff training. Financial Stewardship and Reporting
• Develop and monitor the department operating and capital budgets with the CFO and CEO. Review labor utilization, supply spending, productivity, and variances; recommend practical improvements.
• Obtain required approval for incentive pay, overtime exceptions, agency staffing, purchases, and other commitments under hospital policy and delegated authority.
• Provide the CEO a monthly summary of staffing, vacancies, overtime, treatment volumes, quality findings, equipment needs, and progress on department priorities. Escalate urgent matters immediately.
• Evaluate opportunities to improve respiratory services and access to care. Assume oversight of additional services only when formally assigned by the CEO. Required Qualifications
• Associate degree or higher in respiratory therapy from an accredited program.
• Active, unrestricted Alabama respiratory therapy license before beginning clinical duties; maintain required credentials throughout employment.
• At least three years of acute care respiratory therapy experience, including emergency and critical care, and at least one year of supervisory, charge, or equivalent team leadership experience.
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications. Obtain and maintain additional certifications appropriate to assigned patient populations and hospital policy.
• Demonstrated competence in ventilator management, emergency response, staff education, scheduling, problem solving, and electronic clinical documentation.

Preferred Qualifications Registered Respiratory Therapist with prior management experience. Working Conditions and Physical Requirements Work includes clinical and administrative duties, with schedule flexibility for department needs, emergencies, and assigned after-hours availability. Essential functions include prolonged standing and walking, moving respiratory equipment, assisting with patient positioning using safe handling practices, and responding promptly to emergencies. Exposure to infectious agents and other clinical hazards requires appropriate protective equipment. Essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person