Respiratory Therapy Director of Clinical Education

Statement of Primary Purpose

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) is responsible for the planning, coordination, administration, and evaluation of clinical education experiences for the Southwestern Community College (SCC) and Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) cohorts.

The DCE manages student placement in clinical sites, ensures all facility onboarding and compliance requirements are completed prior to the start of clinical rotations, maintains accurate clinical education documentation, and monitors and verifies student clinical performance. The DCE serves as the primary liaison for all clinical education sites, fostering and maintaining strong professional relationships with current partners while actively developing new clinical site affiliations. To support these responsibilities, the DCE maintains regular communication with clinical preceptors and conducts routine site visits to ensure quality clinical learning environments.

In addition, the DCE provides instruction in the classroom and laboratory settings and actively participates in departmental, divisional, and college wide activities.

Classification

Curriculum faculty, full-time, exempt.

This position is required to work the 9-month plus one (4-week) summer session schedule.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1. Maintain all professional credentials and certifications required by accrediting agencies, regulatory bodies, and institutional policies.

2. Demonstrate current expertise in the discipline and remain informed of emerging trends, best practices, and advancements within the field.

3. Establish and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with clinical preceptors, clinical staff, and healthcare partners.

4. Coordinate, schedule, and oversee clinical rotations for both Southwestern Community College (SCC) and Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) cohorts.

5. Facilitate and manage student onboarding requirements for clinical placements, including orientation, compliance documentation, and site-specific requirements.

6. Serve as the primary liaison between the program and affiliated clinical facilities.

7. Develop, maintain, and evaluate a diverse network of clinical sites to ensure adequate placement opportunities that support program outcomes and accreditation standards.

8. Maintain accurate and complete clinical records, agreements, and documentation in accordance with accreditation, certification, regulatory, and institutional requirements.

9. Assess and monitor the quality, effectiveness, and progression of students’ clinical learning experiences.

10. Conduct routine clinical site visits to evaluate learning environments, monitor student progress, and assess clinical performance.

11. Provide instruction, supervision, mentoring, and support to students in laboratory and clinical settings to promote competency development and skill proficiency.

12. Ensure compliance with all college, program, accreditation, and clinical agency policies and procedures.

13. Provide high quality instruction utilizing diverse course delivery formats, including in-person, synchronous and asynchronous online, HyFlex, and hybrid modalities, while maintaining consistent learning outcomes and student engagement.

14. Maintain an instructional workload in accordance with division, college, and accreditation standards and policies.

15. Prepare, deliver, and assess assigned courses in alignment with approved curriculum, course outlines, and the published class schedule.

16. Maintain accurate and complete records related to attendance, grades, assessments, and other course requirements.

17. Foster a learning environment that appropriately challenges, engages, supports, and respects students while promoting academic success and professional growth.

18. Collaborate with the Program Coordinator in curriculum planning, course development, and continuous program improvement initiatives.

19. Ensure course and program learning outcomes are effectively delivered and assessed in accordance with syllabus requirements and program objectives.

20. Participate in scheduled student evaluations of instruction and utilize feedback to support continuous improvement.

21. Maintain regular office hours and provide timely assistance to students in accordance with division and college policies.

22. Prepare and submit required college reports, documentation, and records accurately and within established deadlines.

23. Assist with student recruitment, advising, mentoring, retention, and progression efforts.

24. Participate in the evaluation, selection, and procurement of instructional equipment, supplies, technology, and learning resources.

25. Support and participate in college functions, community engagement activities, and official events, including commencement ceremonies and program recognition events.

26. Serve on college, division, and program committees and actively participate in meetings and shared governance activities.

27. Engage in ongoing professional development activities to maintain professional competence, instructional effectiveness, and discipline-specific expertise.

28. Develop and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with students, faculty, staff, clinical partners, and community stakeholders.

29. Assist the Dean and Program Coordinator with faculty recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and professional development activities.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

· Perform other duties as assigned in support of the program, division, and the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the College.

· Serve as the primary liaison between Southwestern Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, and affiliated clinical education partners to promote effective communication and collaboration.

· Develop, establish, and maintain clinical affiliation agreements, clinical placement opportunities, and standards for clinical education sites and clinical faculty in accordance with program, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.

· Plan, coordinate, implement, administer, and evaluate clinical education activities in collaboration with academic and clinical partners to ensure high-quality learning experiences for students in both the SCC and BRCC cohorts.

· Monitor clinical education operations to ensure compliance with accreditation standards, program objectives, institutional policies, and clinical agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; master's degree preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) must possess a minimum of four (4) years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), including at least two (2) years of experience providing direct clinical respiratory care.

The DCE must have a minimum of two (2) years of instructional experience as either a faculty member in a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program or as a clinical instructor/preceptor responsible for the education and supervision of students enrolled in a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program.

Physical Demands

Demonstrate proficiency in the operation, maintenance, and instructional use of all program related laboratory, simulation, and clinical equipment, and effectively train students in the safe and appropriate use of such equipment.

Licensing Requirement

Possess and maintain a current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential and an unrestricted North Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner License in good standing.

Possess and maintain a valid North Carolina Driver’s License and the ability to travel to clinical education sites and other locations as required.

Working Conditions and Environment

Ability to travel routinely throughout and beyond the College’s service area to clinical education sites, healthcare partners, and other program-related locations, including occasional overnight travel for professional development activities, conferences, accreditation meetings, and other job-related events.

Equipment Operation

Ability to demonstrate and operate all equipment required to perform the duties of a Respiratory Therapist in clinical, laboratory, and instructional settings. Ability to effectively use standard office equipment and learning management systems (LMS) to support instructional, administrative, and communication functions.

This position description covers the most essential functions and duties associated with this position. Other duties may be assigned by the President or appropriate supervisory personnel. The College reserves the right to alter duties, responsibilities, conditions, working hours, and job title as necessary.