Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values, Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Professional Practice Leader, Respiratory Therapy (PPL) is responsible for the delivery of professional, clinical and academic services within Respiratory Therapy Services consistent with the mission, vision, values and strategic directions of BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) and BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre (BCWH) as agencies of the Provincial Health Services Authority. The Professional Practice Leader directly provides practice leadership, participates in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of services, and provides input into human resource management. Additionally the Professional Practice Leader supports Program Managers in decision-making processes surrounding care delivery, clinical competencies, clinical practice, and standards of care.

This cross-site position is charged with setting the direction for Respiratory Therapy, and furthering the discipline’s role and scope both within the organization, and provincially.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Ensures professional standards, registration requirements, practice guidelines, professional credentials and the code of ethics for Respiratory Therapy staff are understood, monitored and maintained.

2.    In consultation with Respiratory Therapy staff, and in collaboration with Program Managers, participates in the planning and coordination of service delivery, including the development of practice guidelines, goals, objectives and interprofessional clinical pathways using evidence based practice. Ensures the professional practice framework, and policies and procedures, are in place to meet related accreditation standards and standards of care, and where applicable, the Health Professions Act.

3.    Together with education resources, develops processes for defining and implementing advanced practice skills for Respiratory Therapists and advocates for the utilization of their full scope of practice.

4.    In conjunction with the Director of Professional Practice and the Program Managers, facilitates and participates in the development of the quality improvement and risk management programs through upgrading and maintaining policies, procedures and clinical guidelines.

5.    In conjunction with the Director of Professional Practice and Program Managers, and in collaboration with Respiratory Therapy educator(s) and Staff Development Coordinators, is responsible for the planning, development and facilitation of professional development for Respiratory Therapy staff.

6.    Represents or facilitates the representation of Respiratory Therapy regionally, provincially and nationally. Advises the organization in regards to discipline trends/issues impacting programs and/or organizational directions and goals. Ensures Respiratory Therapy participation in advisory groups, committees, planning groups, both internally and externally, to provide input and/or receive information and participate in decision-making.

7.    Works with internal and external educators to ensure that an overall education plan for the discipline is developed, specific learning needs are identified (both discipline specific and interprofessional), and that educational strategies are implemented and evaluated. Together with Program Managers, ensures that mechanisms are in place to evaluate education leave request suitability.  

8.    Provides consultative services to medical and other professional groups, or identifies a resource to do so, on Respiratory Therapy related issues. Acts as a clinical resource contact person to respiratory therapists, the agencies, the academic and university environment, other health care facilities and community services.

9.    Develops and fosters effective professional relationships with relevant academic institutions, professional associations, and licensing bodies and other external agencies. Keeps informed of new professional developments and regulations.

10.    Collaborates to support the discipline’s participation in interprofessional research and education activities, by contributing to the development of an overall research plan for RT, and acting as a liaison between the research coordination resource and the discipline. Ensures that research findings are integrated into practice by incorporating information into policies, procedures, educational programs, and materials, and by using a variety of methods to communicate and teach current research findings on treatment methodologies and outcomes.

11.    Supports Operations leaders in the recruitment of respiratory therapists into the organization. Maintains and evaluates role expectations, specialized credentials, and competencies to support effective and efficient service delivery. Works in conjunction with Program Managers and others to identify staff requirements, input to position descriptions and performs first stage screening to determine and evaluate professional competencies and qualifications.

12.    Ensures that clinical supervision to staff is provided as required and to meet regulatory and collective agreement requirements and acts a mentor, along with others, to Respiratory Therapy staff. Ensures that a process and mechanisms are in place for ongoing clinical and peer consultation (i.e. practice councils, mentors, etc).

13.    Identifies profession specific performance evaluation standards and processes.  In consultation with Program Managers provides input to professional component of staff performance appraisal and develops strategies to address and remediate performance issues.

14.    Performs clinical practice activities in conformance with established standards by performing duties such as assessing needs, planning, implementing, evaluating and documenting services to an individual client or group of clients and exchanging information with physicians, nursing staff, other health care professionals and outside agencies as required to ensure optimum patient care.

15.    Participates in the modification and monitoring of the workload measurement system to meet internal and external reporting requirements and to assist with resource allocation and clinical prioritization.  Maintains and shares a variety of other records as required by operations leaders.  

16.    Ensures that there is a process in place for equipment and procedure evaluation.

17.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•    Graduation from an accredited program in Respiratory Therapy.
•    Successful completion of the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care Examinations.
•    Membership in the BC Society of Respiratory Therapy and the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapy
•    Master’s degree in Health Sciences, Education, Public Health or Health Administration, plus four (4) years of recent, related experience including two (2) years supervisory experience, OR six (6) years of recent, related experience including two (2) years supervisory experience, OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.



Skills and Abilities

•    Comprehensive knowledge of Respiratory Therapy theory and practice.
•    Comprehensive knowledge of the standards of practice and regulations for Respiratory Therapy as established by the National Alliance for Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies.
•    Comprehensive knowledge of organization policies, procedures, and standards of care.
•    Working knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
•    Working knowledge of research process and methodology.
•    Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, supervision, work direction and training.
•    Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively