Respiratory Therapist (Full time, 6:30PM - 6:30AM)

Washington Regional Medical System•Fayetteville, AR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist reports to Respiratory Leadership and provides foundational respiratory care for the general hospital population. The role evaluates patients with actual or potential cardiopulmonary conditions, develops and implements respiratory treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, administers prescribed therapies, monitors patient response, and provides patient and family education. Initial practice focuses on demonstrating competency in core respiratory therapy services across general inpatient areas. After required competencies are achieved, therapists may be trained and assigned to specialty areas such as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Emergency Department, and Critical Care based on individual interest, demonstrated competency, department needs, and leadership approval. Progression into a specialty area is an opportunity and is not required of every Respiratory Therapist.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy program, required.
Current Arkansas Respiratory Care license and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, required.
Current CRT or RRT credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care, required.
Additional certifications such as ACLS, PALS, and NRP required within 6-months of date of hire or transfer date when the therapist is trained and assigned to the applicable specialty area.

Nice To Haves

Previous respiratory therapy experience, preferred.
New graduates may be considered and will complete department orientation and competency validation before independent practice.
Specialty Practice: Assignment to NICU, Emergency Department, Critical Care, or another specialty area requires completion of area-specific education, orientation, competency validation, and certifications designated by Respiratory Leadership. Specialty progression is not a condition of continued employment for therapists assigned to general respiratory care.

Responsibilities

Perform respiratory assessments for patients in the general hospital population by reviewing the medical record, evaluating breath sounds and respiratory effort, obtaining relevant clinical information, and identifying actual or potential cardiopulmonary needs.
Perform ordered diagnostic and monitoring procedures, including pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas collection and analysis, pulmonary function testing, and other procedures within the therapist’s validated competencies.
Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized respiratory plans of care in collaboration with physicians, nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.
Administer oxygen, aerosolized medications, therapeutic gases, airway-clearance therapies, lung-expansion therapies, and other prescribed respiratory treatments in accordance with policy, provider orders, and demonstrated competency.
Initiate, monitor, and manage noninvasive and invasive ventilatory support when trained, validated, and assigned within the therapist’s scope of practice.
Monitor patients’ clinical and physiological responses to therapy, recognize changes in condition, communicate concerns promptly, and recommend or implement appropriate modifications in accordance with orders, protocols, and scope of practice.
Respond to cardiopulmonary emergencies and provide basic respiratory support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation consistent with current certification, training, and assigned responsibilities.
Educate patients and families regarding respiratory treatments, equipment use, medication delivery, disease management, and discharge-related respiratory needs.
Complete accurate, timely documentation and maintain clear communication with all members of the patient’s care team to support safe, coordinated care.
Following successful completion of foundational orientation and core competency validation, may pursue additional training and competency validation for specialty practice in areas such as NICU, Emergency Department, or Critical Care. Specialty training and assignments are based on individual interest, demonstrated readiness, department needs, and leadership approval and are not required for all Respiratory Therapists.