A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

This position is responsible for providing supervisory support and coordination for the safe and ethical daily provision of services in specialized areas. This position also serves as the primary Respiratory Care (RC) liaison for the operational, clinical, and educational activities within the assigned area of responsibilities. These areas include: intensive care units, all emergency service areas and other areas as directed by the Administrative Director and Medical Director. Clinical Specialists are selected for specific responsibilities based upon needs of the department, their expertise/knowledge and training of individual staff. This position also provides functional supervision of Clinical/Technical Staff (Respiratory Therapist Seniors, Respiratory Therapist Intermediates and Technicians).

• Ensures quality respiratory care plans for all patients in assigned areas.
• Attends and participates in patient conferences.
• Attends and participates in daily unit and primary physician service rounds.
• Meets with the nurse manager and the Medical Director of assigned areas regularly.
• Understands and applies continuous quality improvement practices and lean operating principles. Oversees the quality of care and safety of patients related to services provided by the department at the unit level, and addresses opportunities for improvement with unit management.
• Provides consultative support to respiratory care staff, nursing staff and physicians regarding respiratory care procedures.
• Attends report at shift change as necessary.
• Participates in providing in-services for the Respiratory Care staff.
• Instructs personnel on all new technical devices and administrative policies.
• Organizes and provides the orientation of new employees within their assigned areas.
• Acts as a resource and advisor to the Administrative Directors and Medical Directors.
• Assists in the development and evaluation of new and existing respiratory therapy projects as assigned by the Administrative Director.
• Responsible for evaluating, updating, developing and implementing new policies and procedures.
• Acts as department liaison on committees to promote institutional priorities such as Unplanned Extubation, Device Related Pressure Injuries, Unit Quality Committees, etc.
• Provides high expertise level of support for all cardio-pulmonary services offered by the department.
• May be required to take Respiratory Therapist patient load.
• Participates in and coordinates the in-service education for physicians and medical students rotating through the intensive care units.
• Participates in nursing orientation and in-services.
• Assists in the coordination of discharge planning in relation to respiratory care needs.
• Supports and participates in research projects.
• Attends scheduled management, care unit-specific and general staff meetings.
• Adheres to all Department and Hospital policies.
• Completes continuing education units or professional development credits annually including department and Michigan Medicine/UMHS mandatory competencies within required timeframes or as specified by the department?s continuing education program.
• Contributes to a positive and inclusive work community by building trusting partnerships with colleagues, continually learning, creating impactful experiences, and working with a sense of ownership for outcomes.  Exhibits a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in daily work activities. Continuously interacts with respect, dignity, and in a manner where individuals feel their perspectives are welcomed.  Consistently exhibits active listening skills, values feedback, and a commitment to learning from the perspectives of others. 
• Patient and Family Centered Care
• Maintains a patient-centric care perspective, including: 
  • Actively engaging and building rapport and trust with the patient and family, as applicable,
  • exhibiting respect and dignity 
  • sharing information in a timely and unbiased manner, and
  • creating a welcoming environment that encourages open participation by patients and family members to achieve shared decision making.
• Collaborates with other members of the team, including the patient and family, to achieve the ideal patient care experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy or a related field for all hired after 3/20/2020
• Credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Current licensure as a respiratory therapist by Michigan Department of Community Health, Board of Respiratory Care
• Licensure and credentials must be maintained by the employee at all times during employment
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) or ability to be certified within 60 days of date of hire
• Expert knowledge of all basic and advanced respiratory care techniques as related to cardio-pulmonary disease
• Ability to promote standard care procedures and remain current with new equipment and procedures.
• Proficiency in information technology skills (including Microsoft Office software, e-mail and calendar); proven record of effectively learning and utilizing computer systems and technology
• Excellent customer service skills

• Master’s degree in respiratory therapy, science, education or other related field
• Credentialed as an Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) registered therapist by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). (UH/CVC RC)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certification. (CW RC)
• Certified as an AHA BLS Instructor; ACLS, PALS or as an Asthma or COPD educator
• Active membership in the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and Michigan Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC)

• Credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Current licensure as a respiratory therapist by Michigan Department of Community Health, Board of Respiratory Care
• Licensure and credentials must be maintained by the employee at all times during employment
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) or ability to be certified within 60 days of date of hire

The employee will be able to perform the assigned duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Ability to promote and teach service excellence, diversity, guest relations and clinical care among staff, students, patients, families and visitors
• Considerable physical and mental effort in job duties, i.e., assisting patients, moving equipment, lifting, pulling, pushing, bending, twisting, walking, long periods of standing, comforting and emotionally supporting patients and families.
• Frequent use and exposure to disinfectant agents and hand cleaners.
• Ability to function appropriately in emergency situations.
• The position may be prone to fatigue and infrequent opportunities for relaxation.
• Ability to communicate/exchange information; read, write, speak and comprehend English.
• Functional visual acuity and hearing for accurate assessment and recording of patient observations and information in clinical records.
• Manual dexterity to perform required procedure activity proficiently and safely.
• Seven days per week work schedules including weekends, holiday rotations and on-call assignment.

Occupational Hazard Information:

• Staff members may have routine exposure to all chemical inventory, inclusive of hazardous materials, including but not limited to: the office, hospital, and clinics.  Chemical inventory reference materials are available to all staff in the form of hard copy and on-line Material Safety Data Sheets. 
• Staff may carry out assignments in hospitals and clinics.  Staff may walk on uneven surfaces from parking lot to various work site locations in all weather conditions on a regular basis. 

Health Dangers

• Continuous possibility of exposure to infectious diseases, high-pressure medical gases, and potential biologic/electrical hazards.  Possibility of illness as a result of occupation.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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