Respiratory Therapist, RRT - PFT Lab

UPMC • Williamsport, PA

2d

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Professional works in the Pulmonary Function Lab under the general direction of a physician and in accordance with prescribed treatment plans. The role provides diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory services to patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities or deficiencies across all patient populations and service areas. This is a full-time, Monday-through-Friday position scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no holiday coverage required. The successful candidate must hold CPFT/RPFT credentials or be willing to obtain them within nine months of hire.

The position involves assessing patients, planning and adjusting respiratory treatments, operating and monitoring respiratory care equipment, performing pulmonary function testing and other clinical procedures, responding to emergencies, consulting with physicians, maintaining records, supporting equipment safety and maintenance, and demonstrating procedures to trainees and healthcare team members. The role may include supervising students during clinical rotations as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduate of a CoARC-accredited Respiratory Care program.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification meeting AHA standards, including didactic and hands-on skills evaluation, required within 30 days of hire.
• Respiratory Therapists who earned their RRT after July 1, 2002 must maintain NBRC certification in accordance with NBRC continuing competency requirements.
• Effective November 1, 2025, individuals practicing in New York must hold a valid New York Respiratory Therapist license and current RRT certification.
• Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance, with renewal.
• Act 34 Criminal Background Check, with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI Fingerprinting Clearance, with renewal.

Nice To Haves

• CPFT/RPFT credentials, or willingness to obtain them within nine months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Review prescriptions, evaluate arterial blood gases, and assess patient information to determine appropriate therapy needs.
• Establish treatment requirements, including therapy type and duration, medication dosage, delivery method, and necessary precautions.
• Evaluate and adjust treatment plans to align with physician orders and patient response.
• Set up and operate respiratory care equipment, including mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas systems, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Ensure equipment parameters meet prescribed treatment requirements, including volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature.
• Monitor equipment performance and make adjustments to optimize clinical outcomes.
• Perform bronchopulmonary drainage, instruct patients in breathing exercises, and conduct pulmonary function testing.
• Respond to emergency and code situations and assist with the transport of mechanically ventilated patients.
• Consult with physicians regarding adverse reactions or changes in patient condition.
• Maintain accurate and complete patient records, including identification details and therapy information.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of medical orders and interpret clinical data to support patient care objectives.
• Ensure respiratory therapy equipment functions safely and efficiently and initiate repair requests when needed.
• Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees and other healthcare team members.
• Supervise students during clinical rotations as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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