Registered Respiratory Therapist
About The Position
At Union Medical Center, the Registered Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory care for a rural community hospital serving patients with a broad range of needs, including trauma, pneumonia, COPD, asthma, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Under the guidance of the Department Director/Manager and Medical Director, the therapist uses advanced knowledge and skills to provide direct, age-specific, and culturally appropriate care that supports adequate ventilation and oxygenation through medical gases and breathing equipment. The role includes administering respiratory medications and performing invasive procedures such as arterial blood sampling, endotracheal intubation and extubation, and tracheostomy care, as well as other procedures listed on the competency grid. The therapist also serves as a clinical resource and participates in patient and staff education.
Requirements
- Graduate of an associate-degree, specialized training program in an approved two-year Respiratory Therapy program, or meet the minimum requirements to qualify to take and pass the NBRC RRT examinations.
- Successfully complete new-hire orientation within the probationary period.
- Successfully complete the annual Respiratory Care Hospital required competency assessment within the probationary period.
- Hold the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care.
- Hold a current South Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license.
- Hold and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification at minimum.
- For adult critical care, hold ACLS and, if applicable, PALS.
- For NICU/Pediatrics, hold NRP and PALS certifications.
- Opt into the National Board of Respiratory Care's searchable registry for the duration of employment with SRHS.
Nice To Haves
- Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy or a bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy.
- 1–2 years of experience in the relevant specialty area, such as adult critical care or Neonatal/Pediatrics.
- Specialized training and one year of experience in Pulmonary Functions and cardiac testing, if applicable.
- For adult critical care, current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications.
- For Neonatal/Pediatric specialty areas, current BLS, PALS, and NRP certifications.
- STABLE certification is preferred for NICU/Pediatrics, if applicable.
Responsibilities
- Perform and document detailed age-specific respiratory assessments, including heart rate, breath sounds, respiratory rate, and sputum characteristics, and notify physicians of identified abnormalities as appropriate.
- Review the EMR and medication list throughout the shift to verify physician orders for assigned patients, including new, current, and changed orders.
- Recommend therapy modifications to support appropriate care using Medical Director-approved oxygen and aerosol protocols.
- Initiate invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation per physician order and perform ventilator bundles for ventilated patients.
- Perform arterial sampling and moderate-complexity laboratory testing, including blood gases, hemoglobin, and basic electrolytes, and verify panic values according to policy.
- Respond to assigned designated medical alerts and establish and maintain the airway.
- Assist physicians with bronchoscopy procedures as requested.
- Document assessments and procedures in the EMR.
- Identify and collaboratively implement the appropriate critical path, standard of care, and plan of care.
- Provide clinical resource support and participate in patient and staff education.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
Associate degree
