Alan Sissel
Amarillo
Summary
Director of Respiratory Therapy with proven success in enhancing patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. Expertise in staff development, clinical coordination, and regulatory compliance.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Respiratory Therapy
BSA Health System
Amarillo, TX
05.2006 - 06.2026
- Led respiratory therapy department, enhancing patient care protocols and operational efficiencies.
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff, fostering continuous professional development and skill enhancement.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize treatment plans for diverse patient populations.
- Streamlined workflow processes, reducing turnaround times for respiratory therapy services.
- Oversaw compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring high-quality care and safety across all practices.
- Served as a subject matter expert within the organization on matters related to pulmonary function testing, sleep studies, bronchoscopy procedures, and other specialized respiratory services.
- Analyzed performance data to identify improvement areas, driving strategic initiatives for service excellence.
- Mentored junior staff, sharing expertise in advanced respiratory techniques and best practices.
- Executed budget management strategies, aligning departmental goals with organizational financial objectives.
- Developed and managed a high-performing respiratory therapy team to provide exceptional patient care.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based respiratory therapy practices and protocols.
- Streamlined department operations by identifying areas for improvement and implementing efficient processes.
- Managed ventilator weaning protocols to reduce ICU length of stay while maintaining the highest standard of patient safety.
- Encouraged positive financial habits by assessing prior year financial trends and variances and forecasting for current and future years to optimize monetary dealings.
- Accomplished respiratory therapy services goals by interviewing, hiring and training new staff and communicating and enforcing rules and regulations.
- Established strong relationships with referring physicians, fostering collaboration in the management of respiratory patients across various clinical settings.
- Optimized resource utilization by regularly reviewing staffing levels, equipment availability, and budget allocations.
- Evaluated new technologies and therapy modalities to ensure the department remained at the forefront of innovative patient care delivery.
- Ensured departmental compliance with all relevant regulations, accreditation standards, and hospital policies.
- Analyzed and reported on key departmental metrics to hospital leadership, demonstrating the impact of the respiratory therapy services on overall patient care quality and outcomes.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
Respiratory Therapy Supervisor
BSA Health System
Amarillo, TX
12.1997 - 05.2006
- Supervised respiratory therapy team to ensure high-quality patient care and compliance with protocols.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance staff competency and operational efficiency.
- Coordinated departmental schedules to optimize resource allocation and improve workflow effectiveness.
- Evaluated clinical procedures, driving process improvements for enhanced patient outcomes and safety standards.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to design treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Led quality assurance initiatives, establishing benchmarks for service excellence within the respiratory therapy department.
- Contributed to the development of department policies and procedures, ensuring consistency in respiratory care standards across the organization.
- Established a safe working environment by enforcing strict adherence to safety guidelines and infection control protocols.
- Conducted audits of medical records to ensure accurate documentation of therapies provided, contributing to proper billing practices.
- Monitored patient progress closely, adjusting treatments as needed to achieve desired clinical outcomes.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by implementing proactive discharge planning strategies for respiratory patients.
Respiratory Therapist
BSA Health System
Amarillo, TX
03.1996 - 12.1997
- Administered respiratory therapies, ensuring patient comfort and compliance with treatment protocols.
- Monitored vital signs and oxygen levels, adjusting treatments based on patient responses.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for patients with respiratory conditions.
- Educated patients and families on respiratory health management, enhancing understanding of treatment options.
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in intensive care units, ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, breathing techniques, and medication administration, promoting self-care and adherence to treatment plans.
- Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
- Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations.
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Maintained accurate patient records to track patients' medical history and treatment plans.
- Developed strong relationships with referring physicians by providing timely communication regarding patient progress and updates on therapy effectiveness.
- Enhanced patient outcomes by effectively administering respiratory therapy treatments and interventions.
- Promoted a positive workplace culture through active participation in department meetings, committees, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Monitored patient reactions to drugs and carefully documented findings.
Respiratory Therapist
Northwest Texas Hospital
Amarillo, TX
01.1992 - 12.1997
- Implemented evidence-based practices that improved patient outcomes in pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
- Mentored junior staff in advanced therapies and equipment usage, fostering professional development within the team.
- Optimized workflow processes through continuous quality improvement initiatives, enhancing operational efficiency in the department.
- Led training sessions on new technologies, ensuring staff proficiency and adherence to safety standards in therapy delivery.
- Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for managing respiratory disorders to improve patient outcomes.
- Served as a resource for staff and patients on the safe use of supplemental oxygen, ensuring optimal therapeutic benefits.
- Improved patient care by developing individualized treatment plans based on thorough assessments and evaluations.
- Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient treatment plans.
- Ensured patient safety with diligent monitoring of vital signs during therapeutic interventions.
- Optimized airway management by skillfully performing endotracheal intubations under challenging circumstances.
- Implemented infection control measures within the facility to minimize risks associated with airborne pathogens.
- Educated patient and family on patient's illness and available remedies.
- Monitored vital signs and oxygen levels, adjusting treatments based on patient responses.
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Educated patients and families on disease management, breathing techniques, and medication administration, promoting self-care and adherence to treatment plans.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX08-1992
Skills
- Performance improvement
- Staff development
- Patient care coordination
- Clinical expertise
- Interdepartmental collaboration
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Problem-solving abilities
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Decision-making
- Employee supervision
- Team building
- CPR/AED
- Operations management
- Goal setting
- Professionalism
- Quality control
- Public speaking
- Employee work scheduling
- Data analysis
- Budget planning
- Performance metrics
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of [95] staff members.
- Collaborated with team of Respiratory Therapists in the development of Respiratory Protocols which ensures that patients are receiving the appropriate level of care.
Affiliations
AARC (American Association of Respiratory Care) Member 20 + years
TSRC (Texas Society of Respiratory Care) Member
Certification
- Respiratory Care Practitioner License - 33.5 years
- RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist)
- NPS (Neonatal Pediatric Therapist)
Timeline
Director of Respiratory Therapy
BSA Health System
05.2006 - 06.2026
Respiratory Therapy Supervisor
BSA Health System
12.1997 - 05.2006
Respiratory Therapist
BSA Health System
03.1996 - 12.1997
Respiratory Therapist
Northwest Texas Hospital
01.1992 - 12.1997
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy
Amarillo College