Respiratory Therapy Manager

Position Summary

The Respiratory Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, coordination, and management of the Respiratory Therapy Department at West Ascension Parish Hospital. This role oversees daily operations, staffing, clinical standards, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance in a small rural critical access hospital setting. The Respiratory Manager ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and evidence-based respiratory care services to patients of all age groups while supervising and supporting respiratory therapy staff. This is a working manager position. Manager is required to regulary perform direct patient care and clinical therapist duties alongside of managerial responsibilities.

Leadership & Department Oversight

• Provide leadership and direction to respiratory therapy staff, ensuring adherence to hospital policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Schedule, supervise, and evaluate Respiratory Therapists, including participation in hiring, orientation, competency validation, coaching, and performance reviews.
• Develop, update, and implement departmental policies, procedures, and protocols in alignment with hospital standards and best practices.
• Maintain adequate staffing levels and coordinate on-call and shift coverage.

Clinical & Operational Management

• Ensure timely and appropriate delivery of all respiratory care services, including oxygen therapy, airway management, mechanical ventilation, diagnostics, and emergency response.
• Serve as a clinical resource to staff and interdisciplinary team members, providing expertise in complex patient respiratory needs.
• Participate in direct patient care as needed to support department workload or emergencies.
• Oversee maintenance, calibration, and safe operation of respiratory equipment; collaborate with Biomedical Services for repairs and preventive maintenance.

Quality, Compliance & Performance Improvement

• Monitor documentation accuracy, clinical performance, and service delivery to ensure quality standards are met.
• Ensure departmental compliance with CMS, Joint Commission, Louisiana regulatory requirements, and hospital policies.
• Lead or participate in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and performance metrics related to respiratory care.
• Maintain departmental readiness for surveys, inspections, and emergency preparedness requirements.

Education & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Provide education, training, and ongoing development opportunities for staff.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing, and allied health professionals to support clinical decision making and optimize patient outcomes.
• Educate patients and families on respiratory treatments, equipment use, and self‑management strategies.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Manage departmental budget; monitor supply usage and ensure appropriate inventory levels.
• Prepare and submit reports, staffing updates, quality data, and operational summaries to hospital leadership.
• Participate in leadership meetings, committees, and hospital‑wide initiatives.

Education

• Minimum: Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program.
• Preferred: Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Respiratory Therapy or a related health science field.

Licensure/Certification

• Current Louisiana Respiratory Therapist License required.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) preferred; CRT required.
• BLS and ACLS required; PALS strongly preferred or must be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of clinical respiratory therapy experience, preferably in an acute care or critical access hospital.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of respiratory care practices, equipment, and regulatory standards.
• Demonstrated leadership, team‑building, and decision‑making abilities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to manage departmental operations, staffing, and workflow effectively.
• Strong critical thinking and clinical judgment.

Working Conditions

Work requires standing, walking, bending, lifting, and exposure to infectious diseases and high‑pressure clinical situations. Must be able to respond to emergencies and work flexible hours based on departmental needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and on‑call support.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person