Respiratory Quality Coordinator

Job Description

The Respiratory Quality Coordinator reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Respiratory Care provides frequent, scheduled, time-sensitive, and critical respiratory treatments The delivery of safe, effective, evidence-based care is essential to achieving optimal patient outcomes. The Respiratory Quality Coordinator serves as the department’s subject matter expert for quality improvement, patient safety, regulatory readiness, and clinical practice compliance.  Leveraging advanced respiratory care experience, knowledge, analytical skills, and sound professional judgment, this role oversees compliance, ensures adherence to quality standards and policies, and drives continuous improvement efforts throughout the department. The Quality Coordinator supports collaborative education and team building and participates in multidisciplinary quality initiatives to enhance clinical care and patient outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate departmental quality improvement initiatives designed to enhance patient safety, clinical outcomes, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. Specifically, lead efforts in pressure injury prevention and appropriate noninvasive ventilation interface assessments and documentation. 

• Collaborate with operational and medical leadership to identify opportunities for improvement, develop solutions, and implement effectively.

• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with quality committees and multidisciplinary teams to support improvement initiatives.

• Perform audits of respiratory care staff documentation, clinical practices, and departmental workflows to ensure compliance with organizational policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements.  

• Partner with the Respiratory Education Coordinator to identify quality-driven educational needs for staff and support competency development initiatives. 

• Assist with development, review, implementation, and revisions of departmental policies, procedures, clinical protocols, and practice guidelines.

• Assist clinical teams and leadership in responding to quality-related queries from external constituencies: patients, families, payers, media, researchers, etc. 

• Support departmental readiness for accreditation surveys, regulatory inspections, and quality reviews. 

• Research and develop quality measurement, evaluation, and improvement methodologies, including LEAD projects with support from manager/mentor/peers.

• Complete root cause analyses, corrective action planning, and follow-up activities related to respiratory care quality events, adverse outcomes, and identified process gaps, such as pressure injuries attributed to respiratory care interventions. 

• Demonstrate leadership behaviors that foster accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Promote staff engagement in quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and evidence-based practice activities.

• Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive information.

• Assists the department with patient care and triage during when needed based on staffing and operational needs. 

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or actively enrolled in a program (completion within three years)
• Experience: 5 + years in Critical Care      
• Licensure: Active IL Respiratory Therapist License (IDFPR)
• Certification: 
  • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
  • CPR BLS, ACLS, and PALS through American Heart Association 
  • Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS) through National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification through American Heart Association required within 6 months of start date. 
• Behavioral Attributes: Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong problem-solving abilities and critical thinking; demonstrates resilience and adaptability; emotional intelligence and professionalism; embodies NMH values of patient’s first, excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Preferred: 

• Master’s Degree

• Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (NPS)

• 3+ years of experience in Level III NICU

• Experience with process improvement methodology, change management, data analysis, and project coordination. 

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. 

Background Check 

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. 

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.  

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. 

Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits  

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.  

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.  

Compensation: 40.79 to 40.79 (USD) (HOURLY)