Independent Contractor/Respiratory Therapist Program Development Consultant

Scope of Work & Deliverables
Zane State College seeks an experienced Respiratory Therapy Education Consultant to serve as the Respiratory Therapy Program Development Director. In this contractor role, the consultant will lead the design, regulatory documentation, accreditation preparation, and initial launch planning for the Respiratory Therapy Program, ensuring alignment with Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and other applicable regulatory standards. Key Deliverables & Responsibilities
Curriculum & Program Design

• Develop the complete Respiratory Therapy curriculum, including course descriptions, syllabi, program learning outcomes, competency assessments, and curriculum maps aligned with CoARC standards and industry requirements.
• Design instructional plans for didactic, laboratory, simulation, and clinical education components.

Accreditation & Regulatory Approvals

• Prepare and compile all required program proposals, self-studies, reports, outcomes plans, and supporting documentation necessary for approval and accreditation by CoARC, ODHE, HLC, and other regulatory agencies.
• Lead accreditation readiness activities, including preparation for site visits, program reviews, and documentation audits.

Clinical Partnership Framework

• Identify and assist in establishing clinical affiliation agreements with healthcare providers and respiratory care departments.
• Develop clinical education frameworks, competency tracking processes, and evaluation procedures for student clinical experiences.

Program Policies & Student Guidelines

• Draft student handbook policies, admissions criteria, progression standards, retention plans, clinical requirements, credentialing examination preparation procedures, and graduation requirements.

Assessment, Quality Improvement & Outcomes Management

• Develop assessment plans and key performance indicators for retention, graduation, credentialing exam pass rates, employment placement, employer satisfaction, and program effectiveness.
• Design continuous quality improvement processes consistent with CoARC requirements.

Resource & Budget Planning

• Provide recommendations regarding instructional equipment, respiratory laboratory resources, simulation technology, software, instructional materials, and facility requirements.
• Assist in forecasting operational and capital resource needs for program startup.

Faculty & Advisory Committee Framework

• Recommend faculty qualifications, staffing models, workload distribution plans, and organizational structures for program administration.
• Establish the framework for a Respiratory Therapy Program Advisory Committee and provide recommendations for membership and stakeholder engagement.

Community & Workforce Alignment

• Support development of employer partnerships, workforce engagement strategies, student recruitment initiatives, and healthcare industry outreach activities.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy, Health Sciences, Education, or a related field.

Credentials/Licensure

• Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
• Current, active, and unrestricted Ohio Respiratory Care license, or eligibility to obtain licensure prior to contract start.

Experience

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, including at least two (2) years of direct clinical respiratory care experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of teaching experience as faculty, clinical instructor, or preceptor in a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy education program.
• Demonstrated experience with curriculum development, accreditation compliance, program administration, or healthcare education leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Respiratory Therapy, Education, Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Experience developing new respiratory therapy education programs.
• Experience preparing CoARC accreditation submissions, annual reports, or self-studies.
• Experience establishing and maintaining clinical affiliation agreements.
• Community college teaching or academic leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of respiratory care practice, respiratory therapy education, and CoARC accreditation standards.
• Expertise in curriculum development, student assessment, program evaluation, and outcomes reporting.
• Strong technical writing, regulatory compliance, and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze program performance data and formulate improvement strategies.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, Teams, Zoom, Blackboard, and related educational technology platforms.
• Ability to work independently while managing complex deliverables and regulatory deadlines.

Engagement Details, Compensation & Terms

• Contract Rate: $50.00 per billable hour. Invoices submitted bi-weekly or monthly based on verified hours and deliverable milestones (expected range: 20-30 hours per week). Duration of assignment to be no longer than 12-18 months and may be completed in less time.
• Completion / Accreditation Incentive: A one-time milestone payment of $5,000.00 will be paid upon successful completion of approved program startup deliverables and applicable regulatory/accreditation milestones.
• Modality & Schedule: Work is performed remotely. The contractor exercises independent judgment regarding schedule, methods, and means used to complete project deliverables.
• Contractor Status & Benefits Notice: This engagement is strictly an Independent Contractor (1099) relationship and does not constitute an offer of employment. The contractor is not eligible for employee benefits, including but not limited to health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, workers' compensation coverage, or tuition benefits. The contractor is solely responsible for all federal, state, and local tax obligations.

Background Checks & Compliance

• The selected contractor must successfully complete reference checks and standard background screening requirements.
• The consultant must maintain all required professional credentials throughout the contract period.
• Equal Opportunity: Zane State College is committed to equal opportunity and compliance with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws and Ohio Revised Code §3345.0216.