Respiratory Therapist

Baystate Health•Springfield, MA

11d•$34 - $59•Onsite

About The Position

Baystate Health is seeking a skilled and compassionate Respiratory Therapist to provide specialized respiratory care for our Pediatric and Neonatal patient population at Baystate Medical Center. Working under the general supervision of a physician and in collaboration with an interdisciplinary care team, the Respiratory Therapist evaluates, assesses, and treats infants and children with acute and chronic cardiopulmonary disorders. This role is responsible for performing comprehensive cardiopulmonary assessments, diagnostic testing, therapeutic interventions, and respiratory care procedures using evidence-based practices. The Respiratory Therapist plays a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality care across critical care, emergency, inpatient, and post-acute settings while supporting patients and families throughout their care journey.

Requirements

Minimum of one (1) year of clinical Respiratory Therapy experience
Associates of Science: Respiratory Therapy (Required)
Basic Life Support - American Heart Association
Registered Respiratory Therapist - State of Massachusetts
Registered Respiratory Therapist - The National Board for Respiratory Care

Nice To Haves

Experience caring for pediatric and/or neonatal patients preferred.
Strong critical thinking and clinical assessment skills.
Experience caring for neonatal and pediatric patients requiring advanced respiratory support.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary environment.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-acuity clinical setting while providing compassionate, family-centered care.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification

Responsibilities

Independently performs and collects diagnostic information, including: Pulmonary function testing, Interventional diagnostic procedures, Sleep studies, Noninvasive and invasive diagnostic procedures, Blood gas analysis and interpretation, Other cardiopulmonary laboratory testing as appropriate
Provides and manages respiratory therapies, including: Medical gas therapy, Humidity therapy, Aerosol therapy, Artificial airway management and care, Airway clearance therapies, Invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, Vascular catheter insertion, management, and care (as applicable), Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS), as appropriate
Performs comprehensive respiratory assessments, including physical examination and interpretation of diagnostic findings.
Develops and modifies respiratory care plans based on patient condition, clinical response, and laboratory results.
Regularly rounds on assigned pediatric and neonatal patients.
Monitors patient status and respiratory equipment, making adjustments as clinically indicated.
Titrates oxygen therapy according to physician orders, protocols, and patient response.
Collaborates with physicians and the multidisciplinary care team to recommend changes in therapy.
Discontinues therapies as ordered and ensures proper removal, cleaning, and disinfection of equipment in accordance with infection prevention standards.
Provides respiratory care for patients with acute and chronic cardiopulmonary conditions.
Supports evidence-based disease management strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
Collaborates with the healthcare team in the assessment and support of patient hemodynamics.
Participates in discharge planning, patient education, and care coordination to promote safe transitions of care.
Provides respiratory support in emergency, acute, critical care, and post-acute settings, including: Patient and environmental assessment, Emergency therapeutic interventions, Neonatal and pediatric patient transport (ground and air, as applicable)
Responds to Rapid Response and Code Blue events, providing advanced respiratory support.
Adheres to all departmental policies, quality standards, infection prevention practices, and safety protocols.
Assists with the maintenance, troubleshooting, documentation, and repair coordination of respiratory care equipment and supplies.
Reports equipment malfunctions promptly to leadership.
Serves as a preceptor for newly hired respiratory therapists, respiratory therapy students, and nursing students as assigned.
Maintains required competencies and participates in ongoing professional development.
Maintains all required American Heart Association (AHA) certifications for the assigned service area.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification is required for positions supporting neonatal and obstetric services.
Meets and maintains all competency and professional development requirements established by Baystate Health.