Education Specialist, Respiratory

Overview

WakeMed Health & Hospitals - Raleigh Campus

At WakeMed, we're driven by a commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community through excellence in patient care, education, and innovation. We are seeking an experienced Education Specialist, Respiratory Care to join our team at our Raleigh Campus. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate respiratory professional who thrives on developing others, advancing clinical excellence, and supporting high-quality patient care across the healthcare system.

About the Role

The Education Specialist, Respiratory Care serves as a clinical educator and subject matter expert, partnering with department leadership to coordinate educational initiatives, competency programs, and professional development opportunities for Respiratory Care staff. This role is instrumental in ensuring consistent standards of practice and clinical competency across Neonatal, Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult, and Geriatric patient populations.

As a valued member of the Respiratory Care leadership team, you will support WakeMed's mission, values, and commitment to delivering extraordinary patient care while fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

Educational Program Development (50%)

• Design, develop, and deliver respiratory care education and training programs.
• Create and facilitate workshops, in-services, continuing education opportunities, and competency-based learning initiatives.
• Evaluate educational outcomes and identify opportunities for ongoing professional development.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based practices and clinical excellence initiatives.

Education & Competencies (25%)

• Coordinate and facilitate new employee orientation for Respiratory Care team members.
• Develop, administer, and maintain initial and annual competency assessments.
• Maintain departmental records related to education, certifications, and competencies.
• Ensure regulatory and accreditation requirements are consistently met.

Patient Care (25%)

• Provide direct patient care as needed across a variety of patient populations.
• Assess patients and collaborate with care teams to recommend respiratory therapy plans.
• Operate and evaluate therapeutic devices and interventions.
• Monitor patient responses and document care appropriately.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for respiratory care staff.

What Makes You Successful

You are an experienced respiratory therapist who enjoys developing others while remaining connected to clinical practice. You bring strong communication skills, a passion for education, and a commitment to creating an environment where team members can grow and succeed.

You excel at:

• Clinical education and staff development
• Building meaningful relationships with team members
• Coaching and mentoring
• Promoting evidence-based practice
• Driving quality and patient safety initiatives
• Supporting change and continuous improvement efforts

Living the Wake Way

At WakeMed, our culture is grounded in the Wake Way to Excellence, and we look for team members who embody our core behaviors:

Respect for People

• Demonstrates compassion and empathy
• Values differences and diverse perspectives
• Protects privacy and preserves dignity

Teamwork

• Takes pride in WakeMed and the care we provide
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues
• Contributes to a positive work environment

Commitment & Accountability

• Prioritizes patient and team safety
• Acts with integrity and professionalism
• Strives for excellence in every interaction
• Supports continuous improvement and Kaizen initiatives

Communication

• Creates a welcoming and supportive environment
• Listens actively and thoughtfully
• Educates and empowers others through knowledge sharing

Wake Way to Excellence (WW2E)

• Participates in continuous improvement projects
• Identifies opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency
• Supports standard work and process consistency
• Promotes effective workflows and responsible resource utilization

Department Description

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed Health & Hospitals is the leading provider of health services in Wake County. With a mission to improve the health and well-being of our community, we are committed to providing outstanding and compassionate care. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org.

EOE

Licensure

Licensure

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) required
• North Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required

Certfications

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Education

• Associate's Degree in Respiratory Therapy required

Experience

• 3 years of clinical Respiratory Therapy experience required
• 2 years of Critical Care (ICU/CCU) experience required