Respiratory Therapist - Special Procedures

DCH Health System•Tuscaloosa, AL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist - Special Procedures delivers specialized diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive respiratory care to adult and pediatric patients, with primary emphasis on assisting pulmonologists in advanced pulmonary procedures, performing pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and educating patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The role may also encompass duties of a Registered/Certified Respiratory Therapist as needed.

Requirements

Current Alabama Respiratory Care licensure.
Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy (Bachelor’s preferred) or certificate in Respiratory Therapy.
Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential (CRT acceptable with experience).
Minimum three (3) years of recent clinical experience as a Respiratory Therapist.
BLS (AHA) upon hire; ACLS (AHA) within six months of start date.
Ability to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
Physical presence onsite is essential.

Nice To Haves

Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT).
Membership in professional organizations (e.g., AARC, Alabama Society for Respiratory Care).

Responsibilities

Assists pulmonologists during bronchoscopy (including EBUS), thoracentesis, chest tube insertion, and other invasive pulmonary procedures, ensuring patient safety, equipment readiness, monitoring, specimen collection, and post-procedure care.
Performs comprehensive pulmonary function testing (including plethysmography, spirometry, and bedside PFTs) with accurate interpretation, quality control, and reporting.
Performs arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling (including arterial puncture), analysis, interpretation, and reporting to assess oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
Delivers targeted chronic disease education to patients (with emphasis on COPD management to reduce readmissions), including self-management strategies, medication use, and pulmonary rehabilitation principles.
Conducts noninvasive cardiopulmonary monitoring and supports pulmonary rehabilitation activities.
Performs and documents diagnostic, therapeutic, and emergency respiratory procedures safely and efficiently, within scope of practice and policy.
Assesses patients, collects/evaluates clinical data, and develops/modifies individualized care plans based on evidence-based guidelines.
Assembles, maintains, troubleshoots, and performs quality control on respiratory equipment; conducts low/high-level disinfection per manufacturer instructions.
Provides effective patient and staff education; participates in departmental quality assurance, performance improvement, huddles, meetings, and call rotation.
Works independently, exercises strong clinical judgment, and maintains clinical proficiency/certifications.
Communicates clearly, collaborates with team members, delegates appropriately, manages conflict, and advocates for patient safety.