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Advance for Respiratory Care Practitioners welcomes you to Respiratory Views, part of our health care POV blog and forum community from ADVANCE. Our online community offers interactive blogs written by respiratory care practitioners and our editorial staff. The blogs will discuss issues related to the field, breaking news and candid observations. Voice your opinions and submit feedback to the authors through the comment section. To suggest a blog topic, email sproctor@merion.com.
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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 ...


 
May 8, 2008 8:45 AM by Bj Smith of The (Respiratory) Graduate

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.


 
May 2, 2008 10:43 AM by Scot Leonard of From the RC Director’s Chair

Everyone likes positive feedback and now is another great opportunity for it.  Every year at this time I gather all the names of the individuals in my departments that have not called in sick from December through April and present each employee with a pair of movie tickets. 

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


 
May 2, 2008 10:34 AM by Cheryl Ellis of The Motivated Therapist

 Let's jump right into the worst that can happen.  Well, there's a whole jungle of "worsts" so let's pick a couple of "winners."

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.  ...


1 comments  
April 30, 2008 7:31 AM by Bj Smith of The (Respiratory) Graduate

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 ...


 
April 25, 2008 2:45 PM by Scot Leonard of From the RC Director’s Chair

 

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, ...


 
April 25, 2008 1:06 PM by Cheryl Ellis of The Motivated Therapist

When you're working twelve-hour shifts, it can be difficult to have any kind of social life outside of the hospital.  Consequently, we may find ourselves drawn to others we work with.  This might not be so bad if it's the cute OR tech who we see periodically as they drop off blood gases.  It becomes more tense and ...


 
April 22, 2008 2:46 PM by Bj Smith of The (Respiratory) Graduate

While walking from room to room in the ICU, it is immediately evident that I am new. I'm a respiratory therapist on his last clinical rotation ever, at a mid-size community hospital. I am green to the profession, a point that is only stressed more by my green scrubs amongst a sea of blue worn by everyone else.

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


11 comments  

When I earn my master's degree in writing next May, I'll finally be able to cross off a biggie from my list of long-term goals. Even though I'm still waiting to graduate, I can already confirm that the greatest lessons were not merely gained in class.

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


 
April 16, 2008 8:22 AM by Scot Leonard of From the RC Director’s Chair

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 ...


1 comments  
April 10, 2008 12:08 PM by Cheryl Ellis of The Motivated Therapist

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 ...


 
April 7, 2008 12:31 PM by Bill Barnes of At the Ventilator

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 ...


 
April 4, 2008 7:58 AM by Scot Leonard of From the RC Director’s Chair

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 ...


1 comments  
April 3, 2008 9:18 AM by Cheryl Ellis of The Motivated Therapist

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 ...


 
March 21, 2008 2:40 PM by Scot Leonard of From the RC Director’s Chair

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 ...


4 comments  
March 21, 2008 2:40 PM by Cheryl Ellis of The Motivated Therapist

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.  ...


13 comments  

ABOUT OUR BLOGS

Scott Leonard explores effective management and mentoring techniques that can improve any department.

If your situation is unbearable, Cheryl Ellis's advice will throw you a rope to help you pull yourself out of the quicksand.

Long-term care is unlike any other area of respiratory care. Bill Barnes will give you an inside look at the facilities, ventilators and issues that long-term care therapists need to know.

The ADVANCE for Respiratory Care Practitioners editorial staff will discuss issues in the profession, current events in health care and offer their personal views.

Going head-first into the profession of respiratory care is quite an experience. Follow this chronicle as one student makes the transformation from graduating student to respiratory professional.