Lead Respiratory Practitioner

Meritus Health; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

PTO from day one

401k plan

Education assistance

Employee assistance program

Shift differential

Job summary

Meritus Health is seeking a Lead Respiratory Practitioner to serve as a clinical expert, guiding Respiratory Care staff and coordinating daily operations under the Clinical Manager. The role emphasizes leadership, staff development, and adherence to hospital policies while maintaining high-quality patient care.

The position entails scheduling, staffing, orientation, and collaboration on projects, with a focus on Epic workflows, EKG/echocardiogram support, and cross-functional teamwork to ensure

Qualifications

• Requires NBRC-registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
• Maryland Respiratory Care Practitioner license required.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in Respiratory Therapy.
• BLS/CPR certification required.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage staff schedules in the scheduling system.
• Participate in special projects and initiatives.
• Assist with interviewing and hiring new team members.
• Plan orientation for new employees and monitor probation.
• Provide feedback during performance reviews.
• Support Epic system training.
• Maintain high standards of teamwork and patient care.
• Support EKG and echocardiogram services.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Scheduling

Team communication

Education

Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Position Summary

The Lead Respiratory Practitioner serves as a clinical expert and resource for Respiratory Care staff while supporting the coordination and execution of daily operational and administrative activities. Working under the direction of the Clinical Manager of Respiratory Care, this role serves as a key operational contact for the department, provides leadership and support to team members, and models excellent customer service.

Position Summary

The Lead Respiratory Practitioner serves as a clinical expert and resource for Respiratory Care staff while supporting the coordination and execution of daily operational and administrative activities. Working under the direction of the Clinical Manager of Respiratory Care, this role serves as a key operational contact for the department, provides leadership and support to team members, and models excellent customer service.

The Lead Respiratory Practitioner helps ensure compliance with Joint Commission standards, infection control requirements, and hospital policies and procedures.

What You’ll Do

• Create and manage staff schedules, including vacation and time-off requests, and ensure scheduling information remains current in the computerized scheduling system.
• Participate in special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Clinical Manager.
• Partner with the Clinical Manager in interviewing and hiring new team members.
• Plan and support orientation for new employees and observe performance during the probationary period.
• Meet with new employees to identify learning and development needs.
• Provide feedback regarding staff competencies and performance during annual performance reviews.
• Identify staff performance concerns and collaborate with the Clinical Manager on remediation plans.
• Assist with training new employees and ensure staff performance concerns are communicated appropriately and timely.
• Support department-wide employee training, including training related to the Epic system.
• Provide support for EKG and echocardiogram services.
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, confidentiality, and effective communication across the department.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Respiratory Therapy.

Licensure & Certifications

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required.
• Must obtain required licensure within 90 days of employment.
• Maryland Respiratory Care Practitioner license required.
• BLS/CPR certification in compliance with organizational policy required.
• Respiratory Care Epic Credentialed Trainer preferred.

Skills & Abilities

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong teamwork skills with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• The ability to remain professional and effective in stressful environments.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• The ability to communicate effectively with staff, medical providers, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Strong objectivity and confidentiality.

Why This Role Matters

This is an opportunity for an experienced Respiratory Therapist to take on a leadership-focused role while continuing to support clinical operations. The Lead Respiratory Practitioner helps develop staff, coordinate department operations, support training, and serve as an important link between frontline team members and Respiratory Care leadership.

Caring for Our Team

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and professional growth.

• Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, & short and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one, and we also provide a 401k plan, an education assistance program, and an employee assistance program.
• Additionally, employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential, adding even more value to your role.

Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.