Respiratory Therapy Clinical Educator

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Respiratory Clinical Educator (RCE) has both central and unit-based responsibilities. The RCE working with all appropriate members of the health care team ensures coordination of patient care through the development and use of patient care and practice standards. The role of the Respiratory Clinical Educator provides education, mentorship, and role modeling through employee orientation, development, coordination and implementation of a variety of educational programs; assessment, and maintenance of staff competency, and involvement in quality improvement and research utilization to enhance patient care and outcomes.

Position: Respiratory Therapy Clinical Educator       

Department: Respiratory Therapy

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Clinical Practice

In collaboration with the respiratory director, respiratory manager and physician-partners participates in the assessment, implementation and evaluation of the clinical care and outcomes of specific patient populations.

Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team in the development and implementation of patient care policies, procedures, protocols, clinical guidelines, and standards of care based on current research and evidence-based practice.  

Collaborates with physician, administration, nursing and ancillary support in hospital/departmental cost containment initiatives and practices.

Ensures clinical respiratory care staff can identify actual or potential illnesses that may impact the course of hospitalization, make an evidence-based plan to minimize the impact of the illness(s) for the patient, and evaluates and revises the plan as necessary.

Ensures that clinical respiratory care staff is prepared to function effectively, efficiently in emergency/crisis situations.

Ensures that the respiratory care staff can demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups of patients who are regularly served. Consults appropriate resources when patients outside regularly served age populations are present.

In collaboration with the Respiratory Director, Respiratory Manager and the healthcare team, role models professional practice behaviors through assisting with direct patient care, clinical decision making, counseling, and teaching to patients and families with complex or specialized care needs.

Mentors and models leadership behavior

• Effective communication
• Effective collaboration
• Effective decision making
• Unit-based leadership (eg, committees)

Staff Development

In collaboration with the Director and Manager of Respiratory Care, participates in the design and implementation of methods to increase staff involvement with unit governance and goals.

In collaboration with the Director and Manager of Respiratory Care determines employee proficiency for patient care assignments.

Provides staff and leadership with timely constructive feedback regarding staff therapist performance, professional growth and development through clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communication

In collaboration with the Director and Manager of Respiratory Care, conducts/ participates in the investigation of employee incidents involving clinical practice, and development of a performance improvement plan.

In collaboration with the Director and Manager of Respiratory Care, recommends employees for promotion or non-promotion.

In collaboration with the Director and Manager of Respiratory Care, evaluates probationary employees’ work performance and recommends employment continuation or discharge.

Maintains open communication with Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Respiratory Director, Respiratory Manager, and Medical Chiefs of designated service.

Consultation

Develops professional relationships within the community through effective networking and professional service that fosters a positive image for the respiratory care department, specialty service, and the institution as a whole.

Available for nursing consults in areas of specialty for all nursing clinical areas and the organization.

Consultant and change agent to BMC divisions regarding patient population, new procedures, complex patient problems, advanced technology, etc.

Consultant to professional organizations in areas of specialty promoting a standard of excellence in respiratory care practice.

In a consultative model, identifies efficient and fiscally responsible practices that impact Boston Medical Center.

Education

Conducts formal and informal staff education for new and continuing employees related to clinical practice guidelines/standards, critical pathways, evidence-based care and quality improvement findings.

Establishes, leads, and/or participates in appropriate educational forums to provide programs, teaching information, and evaluates and improves programming based on participant evaluation and quantitative measures (eg, posttest, risk management trends).  Evidence based practice included as appropriate.

Develops and delivers specialty education to nurses, nursing students, physicians and other health care disciplines. Uses multiple venues to meet diverse learner preferences, such as face-to-face, programmed learning, web-based programs.

Maintains and updates database of staff educational programs, competencies, licensure, BLS certification and HealthStream requirements.

Collaborates with the Director and Manager of Respiratory Care to assess and identify the ongoing learning needs and competence level of respiratory care staff.

Develops, implements, and evaluates outcomes of the respiratory department and unit based competency program.

Conduct ongoing assessment of patient population/client learning needs.

Plans and provides appropriate educational programs to achieve identified patient population/client needs.

Evaluates impact of educational sessions on patient care outcomes and/or professional development of staff.

Assumes a leadership role in the development, use, and evaluation of patient educational materials.

Stimulates clinical inquiry and critical thinking of staff as evidenced by formulation of quality improvement and research utilization projects.

Disseminates research based respiratory care knowledge appropriate to patient populations served through incorporation of appropriate research and/or quality.

Develops, implements, and evaluates outcomes of staff orientation program for probationary employees and/or assists with the precepting of the new employees.

Acts as mentor for staff

Research

Expands specialty practice base by utilizing, disseminating, and conducting respiratory care research to maximize high quality, cost effective patient outcomes

In collaboration with respiratory colleagues utilize evidence to formulate and revise respiratory care practice standards.

Directly/indirectly participate in clinical research in specialty area.

Publishes/presents research to inter/intra hospital and professional community.

Stimulates interest in developing research participation among staff/colleagues.

Quality Improvement

In collaboration with the Director and Manager of Respiratory Care analyzes systems, trends, and clinical pathway variances, and implements strategies to improve patient care/outcome.

Maximizes efficiency of operational systems by:

• Identifying opportunities for intra/inter departmental operational process                              improvement
• Evaluating efficiency and cost-effectiveness of educational efforts.
• Evaluating the specialty service’s clinical practice in relation to patient/family satisfaction.
• Participates in committees/task forces and organizational strategic planning committees to define, implement and communicate strategies for improvement.

Cost Effective Educational Programs and Clinical Practice

Assists/participates in the planning and implementation of strategies to improve cost benefit for the hospital

Assists/participates in the evaluation of products/practice before and after planned changes occur.

Identifies educational programming utilizing cost efficient strategies and cost saving features

Collaborates with Director and Manager of Respiratory Care and Chiefs of Services to assure timely and appropriate training programs focusing on safe clinical practice.

Professional Development

Communicates clinical specialty knowledge through publication, role modeling, and sharing expertise with the professional community.

Identifies own learning needs and assumes responsibility for maintaining current knowledge, competency, and expertise in area of specialty. 

Completes annual mandatory educational requirements, e.g., safety review, infection control standards, departmental/specialty competencies, and maintains appropriate credentialed status.

Chairs and /or participates in various respiratory and hospital committees, councils, or task force when requested or the need identified.

Must adhere to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Graduate of an accredited baccalaureate program in respiratory care or equivalent health related degree required, Master’s degree in respiratory care or education preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Registered Respiratory Therapist credential required, Massachusetts Respiratory Care license, BLS

EXPERIENCE:

Must have 5-7 years clinical experience including recent experience in the assigned specialty.

Previous NICU/PICU experience preferred.

Previous ECMO Specialist experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Basic Cardiac Life Support certification required.
• Demonstrated ability as an effective teacher/mentor. Able to communicate effectively with hospital employees at all levels, including members of the health care team, staff nurses, nursing leadership, and other organizational members.
• Experience in educational program design, delivery and measurement of learning outcomes.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in a multidisciplinary environment and appropriate to the patient populations served.
• Self-directed, self-starter and able to implement new programs.
• Demonstrated ability as an effective leader.
• Ability to provide education to staff, physician, and auxiliary staff.
• Organizational skills to set priorities and efficiently complete assigned workload.
• Physical ability to meet core job responsibilities in accordance with practice setting demands for the patient populations regularly served.
• Ability to manage stress due to critical patient care issues, changing organizational climate and personnel issues.
• Ability to promote the change process.
• Application and promotion of problem solving and creative thinking skills.
• Ability to critique development of staff and provide meaningful feedback.
• Prioritizing and meeting competing demands/requirements of setting.
• Computer skills in word processing, e-mail, internet access.
• Expert clinical judgment to function independently in an advanced clinical role.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans