Respiratory Therapist

Sauk Prairie Healthcare•Prairie du Sac, WI

17d

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist delivers high-quality, patient-centered respiratory care across the lifespan. The role performs comprehensive assessments, develops and implements individualized care plans, and provides therapeutic and diagnostic respiratory services in accordance with clinical guidelines and organizational standards. The therapist collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other interdisciplinary team members to support optimal patient outcomes. Responsibilities include administering respiratory therapies, managing airways in emergencies, educating patients and families, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation. The position supports respiratory health, safe and effective care delivery, and Sauk Prairie Healthcare’s mission. This is a per diem role. Per diem employees work as needed to cover scheduling needs and are expected to be available for at least three shifts per month; a leader may require greater availability. Based on department needs, the employee must be available for holidays, weekends, and off-shifts. Holiday and weekend rotations apply; there are no on-call requirements.

Requirements

Associate degree in respiratory therapy.
State of Wisconsin license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 3 months of hire.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification within 6 months of hire.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification within 1 year of hire.
Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) certification.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification within 1 year of hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy or a related health science.
1–3 years of respiratory therapy experience.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Responsibilities

Perform age-appropriate respiratory assessments and interpret assessment findings, diagnostic results, and patient history to develop individualized care plans.
Collaborate with physicians, nursing, and interdisciplinary team members to adapt care plans according to patient response and clinical status.
Administer respiratory treatments, including aerosol medication delivery, bronchial hygiene, lung expansion, and airway clearance therapies.
Manage oxygen delivery systems and titrate oxygen according to patient condition and established protocols.
Assist with airway management, including preparation and support for intubation, extubation, and emergency airway procedures.
Provide respiratory support during Code Blue and other emergencies, including manual ventilation and airway stabilization.
Initiate, monitor, and adjust invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation according to provider orders and protocols.
Monitor ventilator parameters, troubleshoot system issues, document patient response, perform weaning assessments, and implement weaning protocols when appropriate.
Perform arterial punctures and obtain arterial blood gases from arterial lines; recommend or initiate interventions based on ABG interpretation and patient condition.
Conduct pulmonary function tests and other diagnostic respiratory evaluations.
Assist with neonatal resuscitation and stabilization in collaboration with obstetric and neonatal care teams when needed.
Educate patients and families about respiratory diseases, equipment use, smoking cessation, inhaler techniques, self-management, treatment plans, and expected outcomes.
Ensure respiratory care equipment is clean, functional, maintained, and ready for use; perform troubleshooting and routine checks.
Follow infection-control practices, safety standards, and organizational policies.
Accurately and promptly document assessments, interventions, outcomes, and charges in the electronic health record.
Communicate with care team members, participate in patient care rounds, and provide recommendations on respiratory management.
Participate in continuing education, skills competency evaluations, departmental in-services, quality improvement initiatives, and evidence-based practice implementation.
Support departmental initiatives.