Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

Tenet Healthcare Corporation • Tucson, AZ

2h

About The Position

A licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner performs diagnostic testing and administers prescribed respiratory therapy procedures, medications, and related life-support measures for patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases. The practitioner assesses patient condition, reviews medical history, and documents progress and response to treatment in accordance with hospital department and accrediting-organization standards. The role applies current research-based clinical practices and collaborates with physicians and other licensed caregivers to clarify orders, recommend therapy, identify contraindications, and maintain an interdisciplinary plan of care informed by patient and family response.

The position includes the Level 1 respiratory care competencies and may include Level 2 advanced competencies. Duties span respiratory diagnostics and treatment, ventilation and airway management, emergency response, equipment maintenance, clinical documentation, and departmental support. Advanced duties may include training staff, assisting with bronchoscopies, serving as Charge Therapist, and performing additional procedures within validated competency, scope of practice, and licensure requirements.

Requirements

• Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy. Respiratory Care Practitioners hired before 03/01/11 who do not meet this requirement are grandfathered and do not need the associate degree.
• Clinical experience that includes adult, pediatric, and infant general medical-surgical and critical-care therapeutics and diagnostics.
• Basic computer skills and verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in basic and advanced invasive and non-invasive respiratory care practices across all phases of care delivery.
• Knowledge of the Respiratory Care Practice Act and familiarity with the scientific process as it relates to respiratory care practice.
• Proficiency with technology used for general medical-surgical and critical-care therapeutics and diagnostics, including ventilators, monitors, gas analyzers, co-oximeters, and pulmonary-function screeners.
• Ability to work flexible schedules to meet department and facility needs, including holidays and weekends.
• Arizona Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist credential or registry eligibility.
• BLS certification.
• ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications are required within six months of hire and every two years.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic testing and administer prescribed respiratory therapy.
• Provide SVN and MDI therapy to intubated and non-intubated patients.
• Perform incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, sputum induction, arterial punctures, and arterial-line draws, with appropriate documentation.
• Perform arterial blood gas and co-oximetry analysis, including critical-value notifications, and bedside pulmonary-function screening before and after bronchodilator treatment.
• Administer prescribed inhaled medications and substitutions; clarify pharmacy orders; complete medication administration and appropriate MAR sign-off.
• Initiate and maintain non-invasive, mechanical, and transport ventilation as ordered, with appropriate documentation.
• Perform daily equipment maintenance and quality-assurance measures; clean, set up, and safety-check ventilators, BiPAP/CPAP units, and other equipment.
• Maintain, stock, and clean respiratory care supplies, equipment, and storage areas.
• Perform nasal and oral tracheal suction and operate and maintain closed suction systems.
• Follow infection-control standards and established care bundles and protocols.
• Perform and document appropriate weaning parameters, including VC, NIF, and Vt f/Vt.
• Understand medical gas systems and facility zone-valve locations; perform back-feeding procedures when indicated.
• Respond to emergencies, code arrests, and Rapid Response calls; document appropriately and provide rescue breathing using a bag/mask/valve or pocket mask.
• Understand code-cart locations and supplies and defibrillator operation, as well as medication labeling and storage.
• Complete or coordinate departmental paperwork and logs, including assignment logs, work schedules, therapist worksheets, Kronos reports, and blood gas, co-oximetry, and PFT screening reports, as applicable.
• Train and serve as a resource for respiratory department staff; recognize problems and suggest strategies to protect clinical services.
• Assist with bronchoscopies in accordance with facility guidelines, including cleaning and documentation.
• May participate in performance assessment and improvement, serve as Charge Therapist, and contribute to program and service improvements.
• Perform additional airway-management skills and procedures, including arterial-line placement, evaluation, and monitoring or venous and other peripherally inserted lines, when competency-validated and permitted by facility policy, scope of practice, and licensure.
• Assist with other assigned or daily department responsibilities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Paid time off.
• Career development and continuing education opportunities.
• Health savings accounts and healthcare and dependent-care flexible spending accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee discount program.
• Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare, and auto and home insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree