From the RC Director’s Chair

It's the Little Things That Count

Scott E. Leonard — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:45:00 GMT

We are fast approaching the holiday season, and it is hard to believe it's almost here already. As managers, making the holidays festive for our staff in the workplace should be a common practice. Not everyone enjoys coming to work during the holiday...(read more)

My Experience with H1N1 Vaccine

Scott E. Leonard — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:51:00 GMT

Yes, many of you have been wondering about the fears and outcomes of the H1N1 vaccines and what to expect. I can tell you first hand after seeing more than 2,200 H1N1 vaccines given here what to expect. First, the vaccine comes in the live virus nasal...(read more)

Stocking Up for Peak Flu Season

Scott E. Leonard — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:43:00 GMT

If there is one thing I learned in my six years as an administrator at a Florida east coast hospital center, it was to stock up on supplies prior to hurricane season. Every year around May, we would load up on disposables. The one thing we created that...(read more)

Respiratory Care Week Task: Thank the Vendors

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:12:00 GMT

It's almost that time of year again, and everyone is planning how they will celebrate Respiratory Care Week. In Massachusetts, legislation was passed to forbid vendors from supplying the usual pens, coffee mugs, and food that we have all come to expect....(read more)

RT Students Can Help During Seasonal Crunch

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:55:00 GMT

As respiratory care directors create staffing plans for the upcoming peak illness seasons, which is expected to be augmented by H1N1 fears, many have found RT students want to help too! In states like Massachusetts, second-year respiratory care students...(read more)

Calling All Respiratory Care Angels

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:36:00 GMT

Every day, we as respiratory therapists see family members struggle to make the right ethical decisions about their relatives' care. While eliminating life support seems to be a direct contradiction to our purpose, as caregivers we have an opportunity...(read more)

Emergency Staff Planning for H1N1

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:24:00 GMT

At a recent "Emergency Staffing Planning Meeting," all directors submitted ideas for how they would staff their areas should this flu season hit us hard. I heard everything from "bringing in the travelers" to "pulling staffing from other sister hospitals...(read more)

Hold a Skills Fair

Scott E. Leonard — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:55:00 GMT

As department leaders, we know the Joint Commission requires us to document that each of our associates are competent in equipment and therapy that is "high risk, low utilization." The question is how, and when is the right way and time to document this...(read more)

Are Sick Calls a Problem?

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:42:00 GMT

With Labor Day coming up, you know someone on your staff is going to call in sick when they're not. You may not have the proper rules in place, which isn't fair to your faithful employees. It's important to know that everyone gets sick, and we don't want...(read more)

Swine Flu and Your Department

Scott E. Leonard — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:36:00 GMT

On July 24, the CDC released the following statement: "As many as 40% of Americans could catch swine flu over the next two years and anywhere between 90,000 to several hundred thousand could die if U.S. vaccine efforts and other countermeasures don't...(read more)

Leaders: Watch What You Say

Scott E. Leonard — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:21:00 GMT

What we say and how we say it dictates the type of leadership style we have. Whether you are a director, manager, or supervisor, your associates watch your lead. This includes how you communicate, both verbal and written. They are taking in everything...(read more)

Live Like You Were Dying

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:48:00 GMT

A few years ago, Tim McGraw recorded the song "Live Like You Were Dying," and it hit the top 10 county singles. I can understand its popularity. As respiratory therapists, we see every day how fragile life is: from the motorcycle trauma in the ER to the...(read more)

How Do I Get a Job With No Experience?

Scott E. Leonard — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:44:00 GMT

It's a Catch-22. Employers want prospective employees with experience, but how is a new grad going to get experience without an opportunity? I can speak to this one from experience. I graduated in April 1984 (yes I'm dating myself) and did not get a per...(read more)

Get the Capital Equipment You Need

Scott E. Leonard — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:32:00 GMT

As directors, we all know how hard or impossible it is to obtain capital for equipment. However, there are ways to increase your chances next time you submit your request. First, you must know the hierarchy of the "crisis" of capital as viewed by the...(read more)

New Grads: CRT Now or Later?

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:27:00 GMT

Now that you have your diploma in your hands and you are hitting the streets for your first real job, there is still something you need to ask yourself. Do I take the CRT now, or do I wait until I get more experience under my belt? In my position, I ask...(read more)