Respiratory Therapist, CRT or RRT

UPMC • Somerset, PA

4d

About The Position

UPMC Somerset is hiring a Respiratory Therapist (CRT or RRT) to support its Sleep Lab. This casual role involves rotating 12-hour shifts (7 AM–7 PM and 7 PM–7 AM) and rotating weekends; holidays are not required. Applicants are placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their experience and education. Starting hourly rates are $25.83 for CRT and $26.75 for RRT.

Under the general direction of a physician and by prescription, the Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory therapy services and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities. Responsibilities apply across patient populations and service areas.

Candidates must graduate from a CoARC-approved respiratory program, or be students with a temporary license and approval from Human Resources along with official transcripts. Basic Life Support or CPR is required. A CRT credential from the NBRC is required before the temporary practice permit expires. Respiratory therapists who received their NBRC CRT credential after July 1, 2002, must maintain certification under NBRC requirements. Candidates with previous sleep experience and/or certification are highly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• Graduate of a CoARC-approved respiratory program, or student with a temporary license, Human Resources approval, and official transcripts.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification; BLS/CPR must meet AHA standards and include didactic and skills-demonstration components within 30 days of hire.
• Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT) credential from the NBRC before expiration of the temporary practice permit.
• Maintain NBRC certification if the CRT credential was received after July 1, 2002.
• Osteopathic Respiratory Care or Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP) licensure.
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting clearance, with renewal.
• Act 33 clearance, with renewal.
• Act 34 clearance, with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI clearance, with renewal.

Nice To Haves

• Previous sleep experience and/or certification.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate medical orders and interpret clinical data to optimize patient care objectives.
• Set up, operate, monitor, adjust, inspect, and test respiratory therapy equipment, including mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs and ensure treatment parameters are met.
• Assist in transporting mechanically ventilated patients and respond to code situations.
• Maintain patient charts containing identification and therapy information, and arrange equipment repairs when needed.
• Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees and other healthcare personnel and supervise students during training.
• Review prescriptions, measure arterial blood gases, and assess patient information to determine treatment requirements, including therapy type and duration and medication dosages.
• Select suitable inhalant administration methods, observe necessary precautions, and make modifications compatible with physician orders.
• Monitor patients’ physiological responses to therapy, including vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
• Perform bronchopulmonary drainage, assist patients with breathing exercises, and perform pulmonary function tests for physician diagnosis.
• Consult with physicians in the event of adverse reactions.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed