Covering the 2008 NAMDRC conference in San Francisco recently, I was re-introduced to a term I hadn't heard or thought about in many years.

Chatting with members of NAMDRC after-hours always bears ripe journalistic fruit. This group, composed of medical directors of respiratory care departments, includes many of the "top dogs" in cardiopulmonary medicine and clinical research. 

During ...

I came across these a while back when I was browsing through the groups section on the site Facebook.com. I would like to share them with you...all credit goes to the original writers.

This is done openly at our monthly department meeting with all the staff present.  It has become such a tradition that it's ...

RHETT BUTLER MANAGER MEETS SCARLETT O'THERAPIST

Isn't he wonderful and your shift supervisor!  This not-uncommon match can occur whether the manager is male or female.  It's especially common for hospitals to discourage this type of arrangement.  ...

Throughout my clinical experience in school, I have collected many stories, just as my teachers had warned me. Through all these countless experiences, one outshines every other as probably the most prominent and ethically complex situations I've ever been in.

It wasn't the time I tripped over that patient's Foley catheter and almost pulled it out, or the time that man with a lobectomy insisted I keep listening ...

That's right, no matter if you run a department for a 1000-bed hospital or a 400-bed hospital with many departments, your management (leadership) team makes or breaks you. 

As you know everyone has a passion or a special skill. Some are blessed with logics. Some think from the heart, while others sit back and take it all in before they react.  Each has its disadvantage and advantage; however, ...

This day was slow, just a few vent checks and treatments all around. I have become fairly confident in ...

Certainly anyone can deepen understanding of a subject with additional formal education.Yet the greatest opportunity for growth comes by networking with others who ...

School's almost out and you are ready for your reward.  Congratulations, you made it!

You have chosen one of the best fields out there too!  A recent US News and World Reports stated that with the current recession, the only two career fields that are untouched by today's economic downswing are health care and government.  

There are jobs in respiratory care, but that also comes ...

Last time I discussed how, if you're at the beginning or transitional state in your career, you might consider a job coach.

Beginners in the field often benefit from mentors, but no one is saying the mentor did everything right in their rise to the top. Usually, the mentor will be honest about it, and offer viewpoints from the "shouldn't have done that" perspective.  That can help a lot.  It's also ...

Our health care system has gone through many changes in the last decade. Technology has improved and become far more specialized. Approaches to care are evolving on a continuous basis-what was a standard of care yesterday is no longer an accepted practice today. 

Health care has delineated itself into several levels of care, with each having a specific role within the overall system. It is communication ...

Ever met anyone who's like a seagull, that when something is wrong they fly in, make a lot of noise and crap on everything? Sure! Everyone knows someone like this! 

How many times has a coworker come in to the department complaining about their workload or interaction they just had with a physician or nurse, get the group stirred up and then walk out?  This is certainly not fair to the rest of the ...

In higher realms of the job spectrum (CEO, CFO), a job coach is not only affordable but a necessary expense to move ahead.  What does it mean to the rest of the employed world, especially in the medical field?

A job coach can take a look at your job description, work environment, and all the variables you want to change from an abstract perspective.  Coaches differ from mentors in that they may never ...

How can a leader create a department that thrives in today's environment?  You know what I mean... the philosophy of "do more with less," staffing issues or equipment issues.  It seems as if we are the "cream in the center of the Oreo cookie." 

As directors, managers and supervisors (Leadership Team) we have a chance to make a difference too.  Everyone spends eight hours sleeping (so get ...

It's always nice to get a free diagnosis, but not from a coworker who has his feet up on the desk while you load supplies into the department.  This coworker may be your shift supervisor or lead therapist.  In other words, from someone who should be doing that job.

Or it may come from a fellow therapist at your level.  There you are, drawing blood gases with the speed of Count Dracula.  ...