MedCenter Air Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

Functions as a member of the critical care transport team and provides care to ill and injured patients transported by MedCenter Air (MCA). Provides respiratory assessment, stabilization, and intervention while promoting patient safety and efficient MCA operations. Works under the supervision of the Medical Control Physician through continuous radio contact or direct consultation. The role includes advanced procedures, airway and ventilator management, and transport of patients requiring specialized life-support equipment and monitoring. The teammate must maintain the required clinical certifications, aviation and transport training, fitness standards, and operational readiness.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of respiratory care.
Current RT license or temporary license as a registered petitioner in the working and residential state.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential required.
BLS required.
Meets qualifications for appropriate clinical advancement requirements.
Three years of clinical respiratory care experience in an Emergency Department and/or Intensive Care Unit.
Demonstrate proficiency in advanced procedures and skills twice annually.
Paramedic certification required within two years of hire; must acquire NC EMT-P, SC EMT-P, and National Registry credentials and maintain them throughout employment.
Trauma Certification, ACLS, PALS, NRP, and S.T.A.B.L.E. required upon completion of orientation and maintained thereafter.
Advanced certification such as Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS), or an approved equivalent, required to maintain the position under CAMTS standards.
Aviation training required, or flight status, and must meet FAA Part 135 flight crew member requirements, including Night Vision Goggles training for safe landings.
Valid driver’s license and eligibility for insurance coverage to drive MedCenter Air vehicles.
Operational smartphone for use as a communication device related to MedCenter Air operations.
Must weigh less than 240 pounds and maintain that weight while employed to remain on flying status.
Must maintain fitness standards under Policy 2.210 (Fit for Duty).
Must have intact sight, hearing, smell, and touch; finger dexterity; motor skills; and eye-hand coordination.
Must speak English clearly and maintain good personal hygiene and appropriate conduct.
Must be able to perform duties requiring physical stamina and endurance.
Annual education compliance in specialty area and/or primary base location, including applicable simulation lab, mechanical ventilator management/lab, certified emergency vehicle operations, air medical resource management, night vision goggles, survival practical, sleep deprivation/Just Culture/stress management, and transport vehicle safety training.
Current teammates were required to obtain paramedic certification by December 31, 2021.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect data pertinent to the healthcare consumer’s health or the situation.
Use clinical reasoning and clinical skills to assess patients and perform interventions that support optimum care, safety, and recovery.
Delegate elements of care to appropriate healthcare workers.
Use appropriate resources to plan and provide safe, effective, and financially responsible services.
Participate in committees, shared governance, or other facility decision-making activities.
Practice in an environmentally safe and healthy manner.
Maintain operational knowledge of ambulances, helicopters, and airplanes.
Independently initiate advanced procedures, including drug-assisted intubation, video laryngoscopy, needle chest decompression, chest tube insertion, central line placement (UA/UV, EJ), intraosseous placement, transvenous or transcutaneous pacing, needle or surgical cricothyroidotomy, and initiation or titration of pharmacological agents.
Initiate intubation procedures and set up ventilation equipment; operate, assess, and manage airway support, ventilator settings, and equipment.
Transport and monitor patients requiring ECMO, medical circulatory devices (VAD, Impella), intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, internal or external pacing, ventriculostomy, and point-of-care services.
Maintain required physical fitness and aviation status, certifications, training, and operational readiness.
Use an operational smartphone as a communication device for MedCenter Air operations and drive MedCenter Air vehicles when qualified.

Benefits

Sign-on bonus eligibility based on eligibility.
Paid time off programs.
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent-care expenses.
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
Educational Assistance Program.
Career development programs.
Potential premium pay, including shift and on-call pay, based on the teammate’s position.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.