RT Respiratory Therapist Full Time Days or Nights

Vibra Travels•Indian Land, SC

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Vibra Permanent Staffing is seeking an experienced Respiratory Therapist for a direct-hire, full-time position with a Long-Term Acute Care partner in Pineville, North Carolina. The role serves adult and geriatric patients, ages 18 and older, with complex respiratory and medical needs. The Respiratory Therapist works under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or Lead Respiratory Therapist and, when requested by a physician, sets up and operates respiratory care equipment used to diagnose and treat respiratory illness. The position is offered for day or night shifts and includes a competitive salary with shift differentials, benefits, and paid time off. The therapist provides prescribed respiratory treatments, operates and monitors ventilators, participates in ventilator weaning, performs tracheostomy care, supports resuscitation, and conducts respiratory diagnostic studies including blood gas analysis. The role also includes documenting care and patient responses, educating patients and caregivers, maintaining and processing equipment, communicating patient updates and orders to colleagues, and complying with hospital policies, safety requirements, and regulatory standards.

Requirements

Active license to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner in the state of employment; the posting also specifies an active North Carolina or compact-state RT license.
BLS certification is required upon hire.
ACLS certification is required; the detailed requirements state it must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
Maintain required licenses and certifications throughout employment.
Strong clinical judgment and commitment to excellence in patient care.
Compassionate, team-oriented mindset.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of acute care, ICU, or LTAC experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Set up and operate respiratory care equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease or illness under appropriate supervision and physician direction.
Provide care to adult and geriatric patients age 18 and older, respecting each patient's rights, dignity, and individuality.
Explain treatments, tests, and equipment to patients and document education provided to patients and caregivers.
Conduct physician-prescribed treatments, including handheld nebulizer therapy, nasal oxygen therapy, administration of medicinal vapors and gases, humidity and prescribed oxygen concentrations, and chest physical therapy.
Set up, operate, and monitor ventilators; participate in ventilator weaning according to protocols and physician direction; and adjust ventilator setup to support patient comfort and respiratory demand.
Maintain ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate as necessary.
Record treatments and patient responses in respiratory care records and the patient chart, and place MARs in the chart in the proper order.
Perform tracheostomy care and change tracheostomy tubes as needed and according to hospital policy, documenting changes in respiratory progress notes.
Replace tubing, inline suction devices, and suction canisters according to hospital policy and procedure.
Report scheduled treatments and patient conditions to relief personnel, communicate changes and new orders, and keep the patient's primary care nurse informed.
Clean, sterilize, package, and prepare respiratory therapy equipment, including ENT/bronchoscope equipment, for transport; verify Cidex OPA functionality, including a test strip within the preceding 24 hours.
Perform preventative maintenance and equipment repairs, including ventilator EST and SST pre-use checks, and document work in the cleaning log.
Make regular rounds; check patient ventilators at least every four hours and oxygen equipment at least once per shift; fill room humidifiers, change suction canisters daily, and spot-check other equipment according to policy.
Perform and evaluate arterial and venous blood gas analyses, demonstrate competency with blood gas devices, and maintain annual continuing education related to laboratory practices.
Assist with preparing respiratory care and ventilator patients for physical therapy, ambulation, and transport; store oxygen tanks according to OSHA and hospital guidelines.
Attend monthly Respiratory Care departmental meetings, general staff meetings, and in-services.
Follow the Hospital Compliance Plan and report suspected violations to the Compliance Officer.
Comply with professional conduct expectations, hospital and departmental policies, attendance policies, bloodborne pathogen precautions, hazardous-material procedures, and safety and patient-safety practices.
Recognize potential patient abuse and follow policy for appropriate referrals and interventions.
Participate in Performance Improvement activities.
Protect patient health information by limiting access to information reasonably necessary for the job and sharing it only for work-related, need-to-know purposes.
Perform other incidental and related duties as required or assigned.