Lead Respiratory Therapist

LEAD RESPIRATORY THERAPIST - Danbury Hospital - Full Time - NIGHT SHIFT

645p-715a, every other weekend, holidays as assigned. Rare opportunity for an experienced respiratory therapist to step into a lead role here at the Danbury hospital. We are growing and seeking a passionate professional to take on leadership duties and responsibilities within the team. Come talk to us about careers well cared for.

At Nuvance Health, we enjoy the benefits of a two-state system as we cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone feels welcomed, respected and supported. Together, we are a team of 15,000+ strong hearts and open minds. If you share our values of connected, personal, agile and imaginative, we invite you to discover what’s possible for you and your career.

Danbury Hospital, a 456-bed acute care hospital, has been providing award-winning, personalized patient care to the people of Western Connecticut for 140 years. Our specialty areas of excellence include a Level III NICU, a certified Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, and compassionate psychiatric care, including a partial-hospitalization program.

Our Accolades Include the Following

• The Leapfrog Group - Grade A for quality and patient safety
• U.S. News & World Report - High performance in heart failure treatment
• Healthgrades - One of America’s 50 Best Hospitals
• Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) - Robotic Center of Excellence
• Joint Commission - Gold seal of approval in spine surgery

At Danbury Hospital, we take great pride in our team members and their passion for providing the best care possible—always with heart. For many of our team members, that care extends beyond the walls of our hospital. We volunteer at local non-profits and participate in community initiatives and events. Our dedication to the health and well-being of our entire community makes this a truly special place to work.

Summary

The Lead Respiratory Therapist provides shift-based clinical leadership while maintaining a direct patient assignment.

Serving as the Charge Therapist, this role offers real-time clinical guidance, decision support, and operational coordination of respiratory care across all specialty service lines, including NICU, Pediatrics, Adult Inpatient Units, ICU, and the Emergency Department.

The Lead RT ensures safe, efficient respiratory care delivery in fast-paced, multi-specialty environments typical of a Level II trauma teaching hospital. This is a clinical leadership role without formal management responsibility. Uphold hospital policies, clinical protocols, and regulatory requirements. Support continuous regulatory readiness for accreditation and site reviews

Responsibilities

• Clinical Leadership & Escalation
• Provide real-time clinical leadership during assigned shift
• Serve as the primary escalation resource for complex, high-acuity respiratory care
• Deliver expert bedside support in critical and emergent situations
• Maintain a clinical assignment while overseeing shift operations
• Consistently attends monthly department staff meetings
• Attends occasional leadership team meetings as necessary

Coordination & Operational Oversight

Lead and coordinate all shift-based respiratory operations including�respiratory care workflow, continuity of care, and resource allocation

Assign workloads and dynamically adjust staffing throughout the shift in consultation with the Manager or designee

Ensure documentation, protocols, and standards are followed consistently

Clinical Practice Support

The Lead RT is expected to perform at expert level across all inpatient care environments including NICU, Pediatrics, Adult floors, ICU, and the Emergency Department. Conduct clinical and quality audits

Support adherence to departmental policies, evidence-based practice, regulatory standards and other system, hospital or Department initiatives.

Participate in department-level quality improvement and education initiatives

Precept and Mentor Staff as Assigned

• Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.
• Maintains and Models the Organization's values.�
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and predictable attendance.
• Performs other duties as required.

Other Information

• Preferred: Bachelor of Science Degree in Respiratory Care or related field
• Experience as a charge therapist or preceptor highly desired
• Strong communication, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making skills
• Specialty certifications such as ACCS, NPS, AE-C, or pediatric/neonatal transport experience (preferred but not required)
• Company: Danbury Hospital
• Org Unit: 138
• Department: Pulmonary Medicine
• Exempt: No
• Salary Range: $36.53 - $67.90 Hourly

With strong hearts and open minds, we’re pushing past boundaries and challenging the expected, all in the name of possibility. We are neighbors caring for neighbors, working together as partners in health to improve the lives of the people we serve. If you share our passion for the health of our communities, advance your career with Nuvance Health!