Director, Respiratory Therapy

The Director, Respiratory Therapy provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for respiratory therapy and pulmonary diagnostic services across the Institute. The Director is responsible for ensuring safe, complaint, and patient-centered respiratory care delivery that supports the complex cardiopulmonary needs of oncology patients across ambulatory care environments.

This role oversees clinical respiratory therapy practice standards, pulmonary diagnostic testing, respiratory care workflows, and staffing resources to support high-quality patient care. The Director partners with physician leaders, nursing leadership, and interdisciplinary teams to align pulmonary services with organizational priorities, regulatory requirements, and evidence-based clinical practice.

The position is accountable for departmental performance, workforce development, operational efficiency, fiscal stewardship, and continuous quality improvement across respiratory care and pulmonary function services.

The Director reports to the VP/ACNO of Adult Nursing and Clinical Services and collaborates closely with the Medical Director for Pulmonary Services and other clinical leaders.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategy, Leadership, and Program Development

o Develops and executes a comprehensive strategy for respiratory and pulmonary services aligned with Institute priorities, including growth in ambulatory care, diagnostic services, and interdisciplinary oncology care programs

o Establishes departmental goals, service standards, and performance metrics in collaboration with medical leadership and institutional partners.

o Leads the development and evaluation of respiratory care programs and service models to meet evolving patient care needs.

o Represents respiratory services in institutional committees, professional organizations, and collaborative clinical initiatives.

• Clinical Practice Oversight

o Establishes and maintains evidence-based respiratory care practice standards and clinical protocols across care settings.

o Oversees delivery of respiratory therapy services including airway management support, oxygen therapy, aerosolized medications, and cardiopulmonary monitoring.

o Ensures consistent, high-quality performance of pulmonary diagnostic testing including spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion studies, respiratory muscle testing, bronchodilator testing, and exercise oximetry.

o Serves as a clinical resource and consultant on respiratory and pulmonary care matters for interdisciplinary clinical teams.

• Operational Management and Service Delivery

o Leads daily operations of respiratory therapy and pulmonary diagnostic services, including staffing models, workflow design, and service coverage across care locations.

o Oversees respiratory therapist scheduling, resource allocation, and operational readiness to support clinical demand and emergency response capabilities.

o Ensures readiness and compliance of respiratory care equipment and pulmonary testing systems, including maintenance, calibration, and quality control processes.

o Coordinates respiratory services across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and affiliated care locations.

• Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance

o Ensures compliance with applicable regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards governing respiratory therapy and pulmonary diagnostic services.

o Leads departmental participation in institutional quality and patient safety initiatives.

o Develops and monitors performance indicators related to respiratory care quality, patient safety, and operational performance.

o Oversee departmental quality improvement activities, including audits, incident review, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Financial Management and Resource Stewardship

o Develops and manages departmental budgets including personnel, supplies, equipment, and capital resources.

o Monitors operational and financial performance and implement strategies to improve efficiency and resource utilization.

o Evaluates equipment and technology needs supporting respiratory therapy and pulmonary diagnostics.

o Partners with finance and operational leadership to align staffing and resource allocation with patient care demand.

• Workforce Developme…