MedCenter Air Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist

Advocate Health•Charlotte, NC

8d•$33 - $50•Onsite

About The Position

The Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist is a member of the MedCenter Air critical care transport team and provides care to ill and injured patients during transport. The role includes respiratory assessment, stabilization, and intervention while promoting patient safety and efficient operations. The therapist works under the supervision of the Medical Control Physician through continuous radio contact or direct consultation. The therapist performs advanced airway and critical-care procedures, manages ventilation and airway-support equipment, and transports and monitors patients requiring specialized devices and therapies. The position involves multiple modes of transportation, including ambulances, helicopters, and airplanes, and requires aviation training or flight status and compliance with applicable FAA flight-crew requirements. The schedule is variable, and the role is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited school of respiratory care.
Hold a current RT license or temporary license as a registered petitioner in the working and residential state.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential required.
BLS required.
Meet appropriate clinical advancement requirements.
Three years of clinical respiratory care experience in an Emergency Department and/or Intensive Care Unit required.
Demonstrate proficiency in advanced procedures and skills bi-annually.
Obtain Paramedic Certification 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.
Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) or equivalent advanced certification approved by the employer is required to maintain the position under CAMTS standards.
Aviation training or flight status required; must meet FAA Part 135 flight crew member requirements, including Night Vision Goggles requirements for safe landings.
Valid driver's license and qualification as insurable by Atrium Health insurance to drive MedCenter Air vehicles.
Operational smartphone for communications related to MedCenter Air operations.
Must weigh less than 240 pounds and maintain weight while employed to remain on flying status.
Must maintain fitness standards under Policy 2.210 (Fit for Duty).
Must be able to speak English clearly and have intact sight, hearing, smell, and touch, along with finger dexterity, motor skills, and eye-hand coordination.
Physical stamina and endurance to perform duties; appropriate personal hygiene and conduct.
Must be able to work in variable transport conditions, including extreme hot, cold, and wet weather, confined or poorly lit workspaces, and possible exposure to infectious diseases and biohazardous materials.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect data relevant to the patient's health or situation.
Use clinical reasoning and skills to assess patients and provide interventions that support patient care, safety, and recovery.
Delegate appropriate elements of care to healthcare workers.
Use 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, intraosseous placement, pacing, cricothyroidotomy, and initiation or titration of pharmacological agents.
Initiate intubation and set up ventilation equipment; operate, assess, and manage patient airway support, ventilator settings, and equipment.
Transport and monitor patients requiring ECMO, medical circulatory devices such as VAD or Impella, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, internal or external pacing, ventriculostomy, and point-of-care services.
Maintain required specialty and location-related education and annual compliance training.