Respiratory Therapist, 36hr Days

UMass Memorial Health•Leominster, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides all aspects of respiratory therapy in accordance with Respiratory Care Department policies and procedures. The therapist works with considerable independence to deliver routine and complex patient care in assigned areas, providing evidence-based, patient-focused care in a collaborative environment. The role includes evaluating patient records and clinical data, administering aerosolized medications, obtaining and analyzing arterial blood gases, recommending appropriate therapy in consultation with physicians, monitoring patient responses, and supporting emergency care. The therapist operates and maintains respiratory therapy equipment and devices, documents care in the electronic medical record, supports and supervises learners and new staff, participates in quality assurance, and keeps current with developments in respiratory care. The schedule is 36 hours per week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on a 12-hour day shift, with every third weekend and every third holiday scheduled. The position is non-exempt and may have a signing bonus; eligibility is confirmed during the interview process. Work is considered sedentary and is performed indoors in a normal office environment.

Requirements

Associate of Science in Respiratory Care.
Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Current Massachusetts State Respiratory Care License.
Basic Life Support certification.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification, required within 3 months of employment.
Neonatal Resuscitation Provider certification, required within 3 months of employment.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification, required within 3 months of employment.
Valid, unrestricted driver’s license recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and access to a reliable, insured vehicle.
Minimum of 2 years of acute care experience.
Ability to assess patients and make appropriate therapeutic recommendations across the continuum of care, from admission to discharge, including floor therapies, mechanical ventilation, and blood gas interpretation.
Ability to read, write, and speak clearly in English.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree or higher.
NBRC specialty credential: ACCS, SDS, NPS, or RPFT.
AE-C certification.
Five years of acute care experience.

Responsibilities

Work as part of a team to ensure optimal patient care.
Review patients’ electronic medical records, including relevant history, reason for admission, laboratory and radiological data, and current orders.
Administer aerosolized medications.
Draw and analyze arterial blood gases and report critical values according to hospital policy.
Consult with physicians about effective forms of therapy and make recommendations to enhance patient care, consistent with physician orders; communicate recommendations to the healthcare team.
Monitor patients’ physiological responses to therapy and consult physicians if adverse reactions occur.
Provide emergency care, including assisting with intubations, Rapid Response Team events, high-risk deliveries, and Code Team events.
Inspect, test, clean, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment according to department policy.
Demonstrate and teach respiratory care procedures to new staff, other healthcare personnel, patients, and families.
Provide clinical and general guidance to new, agency, per-diem, and student therapy personnel.
Directly supervise respiratory therapy students.
Set up and operate basic oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilators, CPAP/Bi-level support, NIPPV, and high-flow oxygen therapy devices according to department policy.
Maintain patient and department records in the electronic medical record and medical administration record, and follow hospital medication-administration policies and procedures.
Participate in departmental quality assurance programs.
Maintain current knowledge of respiratory care techniques, developments, and issues through educational meetings, lectures, and conferences.
Provide verbal reports covering diagnoses, relevant medical history, reasons for admission, treatment goals and plans, responses to treatment, and suggestions for optimizing treatment plans.
Set up and operate a body plethysmograph according to department policy.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives and attend meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed.
Apply quality improvement in daily operations and comply with health and safety regulations and requirements.
Help maintain a professional, respectful, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment for employees, patients, and visitors.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance, and perform other similar duties as required or directed.