Registered Respiratory Therapist

Schuylkill • Allentown, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist administers respiratory therapy procedures to examine, diagnose, and treat patients with respiratory and pulmonary disorders. The therapist assesses patient condition and consults with physicians to determine appropriate treatment plans, then monitors patient progress to evaluate treatment effectiveness. The role documents patient care activities and ensures they meet applicable departmental quality standards and regulations.

The position works onsite at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest in the Respiratory Care Float Pool. The schedule is nights, 7 p.m.–7:30 a.m., every third weekend and every other holiday.

Requirements

• Graduate of an AMA-approved School of Respiratory Care.
• Less than one year of related experience listed as a minimum qualification.
• Ability to provide respiratory therapy methodologies and techniques.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot diagnostic equipment.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care within one year.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association within 60 days.
• Pennsylvania Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) credential upon hire.
• Ability to lift and carry 40–50 pounds; duties may include pushing or pulling patients on beds or stretchers and lateral transfers.
• Frequent to continuous standing and walking; patient transport may involve walking 8–10 miles per shift.
• May be required to kneel, bend, squat, and perform CPR.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree from an AMA-approved school of Respiratory Care.
• One year of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Administer physician-prescribed respiratory therapy, including oxygen, respiratory medication, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), arterial blood gases (ABGs), and mechanical ventilation.
• Perform invasive and non-invasive evaluations to determine respiratory care needs and make recommendations based on department protocols.
• Monitor patients on mechanical ventilation through clinical assessment, routine rounds, troubleshooting, weaning, airway care, and diagnostic testing.
• Collect and analyze sputum, blood, and breath specimens for diagnosis.
• Measure patients’ lung capacity to identify impairments.
• Provide diagnostic results and treatment suggestions based on patient analysis.
• Communicate with other health care team members to support continuity of care and coordination of services.
• Help assure smooth operation of the PFT and ABG laboratory, and perform other duties assigned by a supervisor or manager.
• Document patient care activities and ensure compliance with applicable quality standards and regulations.

What This Job Offers

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