Clinical Team Lead/Education, Respiratory Care Services - Adult

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC seeks a Clinical Team Lead/Education for Adult Respiratory Care Services to supervise staff, coordinate clinical practice, and mentor team members in critical care settings.

The role emphasizes leadership, staff development, and collaboration with physicians and allied health professionals to ensure safe, evidence-based care for neonatal to adult patients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Respiratory Care or related field.
• Candidates may be required to complete degree within 3 years.
• Five years clinical respiratory therapy experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach, and mentor staff in assigned unit.
• Coordinate diagnostic/therapeutic procedures per orders.
• Develop and implement clinical care protocols and policies.
• Communicate daily activities to Respiratory Care leadership.

Skills

Clinical decision making

Leadership

Staff supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Care or related field

Job description

Clinical Team Lead/Education, Respiratory Care Services - Adult

Work Arrangement:

Requisition Number: 273855

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Oct 17, 2026

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Clinical Team Lead/Education - Adult

General Description of the Job Class

The Clinical Lead, Respiratory Therapist (RT) is a role developed to work in coordination with the RT leadership in an assigned unit or department to ensure the work is accomplished effectively. The Clinical Lead RT is the first line of support for staff, physicians, and other related providers on concerning RT specific clinical issues and topics. They will supervise, perform, evaluate and coordinate diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures as defined in the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice, performing work in accordance with physician orders in the neonatal, pediatric and adult patient populations in intermediate, intensive and emergency care areas. They will be responsible for supervising, coaching, and mentoring their assigned core group of staff.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Clinical Support

• Perform all duties and responsibilities of the Respiratory Care Practitioner, Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner and ECMO specialist.
• Demonstrates strong critical thinking skills, rapidly prioritizes both planned and unplanned events and proactively addresses actual and potential issues, exceeding patient expectations
• Instruct and supervise patient and therapeutic. assessments to assure optimal medical decisions.
• Expert in all RT technology in the assigned departments.
• Coordinate all emergency responses.
• Assist in the development/updates with clinical care protocols/policy and procedures.
• Ability to interact with physicians/medical staff on a high level.
• Function as a liaison between Clinical Resource Manager, and Clinical Engineering to ensure proper operation and service of equipment Document and report any malfunctioning or broken equipment.

Leadership/Managerial

• Develop expected job results, performance plans, and professional goals for assigned staff
• Provide input into applicant hiring and termination decisions
• Monitor and report all patient care, safety, medication, technical, and employee incidents
• Monitor adherence to policy, procedures and practice guidelines
• Monitor ventilator protocol adherence
• Implement any necessary corrective actions in a timely manner
• Conduct shift planning to include assignments and redirection of staff as needed
• Assure appropriate supply inventory
• Coordinate and monitor departmental improvement projects
• Communicate daily activities to RT leadership
• Provide orientation, education and training as needed internal and external to Duke Respiratory Care Services
• Assure/Assess respiratory care staff competency and safety
• Plan and conduct instructional sessions
• Communicate/educate changes in policy and procedures in an effective/consistent manner

Other

• Coordinate the evaluation of products/equipment
• Provide input into departmental equipment selection and function
• Assist with all departmental clinical research projects
• Serve on department related committees

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• Work requires completion of a Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Care, Healthcare, Business, or a field related to the assigned clinical discipline.
• Note: Candidates without a Bachelor's degree will be required to complete their degree within three (3) years of appointment.

Experience

• Five years of experience in clinical respiratory therapy preferred; three years of critical care experience required. Supervisory experience preferred.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Current RT licensure from the North Carolina State Board of Respiratory Care
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Certification in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (if applicable)
• Respiratory Specific Certifications (to be completed within 1 year of hire)
• Adult Clinical Lead RT Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS)
• Pediatric Clinical Lead RT Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge necessary to make appropriate clinical decisions and interaction relative to the specific age of a patient.
• Skills validation/certification of competencies for the duties and responsibilities required for a Level I RT.
• Work involves contact with patients of all ages, family members, physicians, nursing, and all other members of the health care team.
• Work is performed in all areas of the hospital.
• Work may require lifting or pushing in excess of 30 pounds.
• Required to carry emergency airway bag weighing approximately 20 pounds.
• Work requires walking, running, climbing and bending.
• Customer service and communication expertise.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market:

Durham

Nearest Secondary Market:

Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.