Key responsibilities of the role:
- Lead and supervise the respiratory therapy team, including scheduling, workload allocation, and performance management.
- Develop, implement, and update departmental policies, procedures, and clinical protocols in alignment with hospital standards, MOH requirements, and CARF/JCI accreditation guidelines.
- Manage departmental budget, including forecasting equipment and supply needs, cost-control measures, and resource allocation.
- Coordinate staff recruitment, onboarding, training, and continuing education to maintain a skilled and competent workforce.
- Conduct regular team meetings to communicate departmental goals, updates, and performance expectations.
- Oversee the maintenance, calibration, and safe use of respiratory equipment, ensuring preventive maintenance schedules are followed.
- Ensure the provision of high-quality respiratory therapy services tailored to the needs of patients in rehabilitation and long-term care, including those with chronic respiratory conditions, tracheostomies, and ventilator dependence.
- Perform comprehensive respiratory assessments, including spirometry, arterial blood gases (ABG) analysis, pulse oximetry, and lung mechanics evaluation.
- Develop individualized respiratory care plans for patients with chronic respiratory failure, tracheostomies, ventilator dependence, or post critical illness.
- Coordinate with physicians and rehabilitation teams to integrate respiratory goals into overall patient rehabilitation plans.
- Manage and monitor invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV/NIV) in long-term care patients, ensuring optimal settings based on patient condition and rehabilitation goals.
- Perform advanced ventilator troubleshooting, weaning protocols, and extubation readiness evaluations.
- Provide tracheostomy care, including tube changes, suctioning, cuff pressure monitoring, and prevention of complications.
- Facilitate pulmonary rehabilitation programs, including breathing exercises, inspiratory muscle training, and endurance conditioning.
- Ensure proper disinfection and sterilization of respiratory care devices.
- Monitor clinical documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.
- Lead departmental participation in clinical audits, incident investigations, and quality improvement projects.
- Conduct in-service training sessions for healthcare staff on respiratory topics.
- Stay updated with evidence-based practices and integrate them into clinical protocols.
- Support clinical research projects related to respiratory care and rehabilitation.
- Provide clinical guidance, supervision, and training to junior respiratory therapists and interns.
- Conduct in-service education sessions for healthcare staff on respiratory therapy techniques, safety protocols, and updates in the field.
Qualifications, Certifications and Experience:
- Master’s degree in respiratory therapy or equivalent from an accredited institution
- Current license from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) as a senior Respiratory Therapist.
- BLS Specialist Certifications
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - preferred.