Respiratory Therapist CRT & RRT (Multiple Opportunities)

UPMC • Jamestown, NY

8d

About The Position

UPMC is hiring respiratory therapists at the CRT, RRT, and Senior RRT levels across multiple opportunities and settings. Final title and compensation depend on education, experience, and certifications. Multiple shift options are available, including night and weekend programs with premium differentials. UPMC also offers career-ladder opportunities and support for CRTs pursuing RRT credentials, including tuition assistance, paid study time, and exam reimbursement. Sign-on bonuses are offered to qualified candidates: $15,000 for therapists with 0–1 year of experience and $20,000 for therapists with 1 or more years of experience, each with a two-year full-time commitment. Bonuses are also available for part-time positions and prorated according to commitment.

Respiratory therapists evaluate medical orders and clinical data, operate and monitor respiratory equipment, administer medicinal gases and aerosol medications, and assess and adjust patient treatments. They assist with transporting mechanically ventilated patients, respond to code situations, document care, arrange equipment repairs, demonstrate procedures to trainees and healthcare personnel, and supervise students. They also assess patient information and arterial blood gases, determine treatment methods and precautions, monitor physiological responses, perform bronchopulmonary drainage and pulmonary function tests, assist with breathing exercises, and consult physicians about adverse reactions.

Requirements

• Graduate of a CoARC-approved respiratory program; CRT candidates may also qualify as students with a temporary license, subject to Human Resources approval and official transcripts.
• Pennsylvania Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required for the Respiratory Therapist, RRT role.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) required.
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRTT) credential from the NBRC required before expiration of a temporary practice permit.
• Respiratory therapists who earned their CRT credential from the NBRC after July 1, 2002, must maintain certification under NBRC requirements.
• Senior RRT candidates need two years of total respiratory care experience, including at least one year in critical care.
• Senior RRT candidates must successfully complete one approved departmental project during each annual performance review period; the project must be approved within three months of hire.
• For the Senior RRT role, in lieu of an associate degree, candidates must have 5 to 7 years of experience or an NBRC certification.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate medical orders and interpret clinical data to optimize patient outcomes.
• Set up, operate, and manage mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration equipment, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Ensure respiratory equipment operates within specified parameters and administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs.
• Monitor equipment function, adjust settings to optimize therapy, and inspect and test equipment for safety and efficiency.
• Assist with transporting mechanically ventilated patients and respond to code situations.
• Maintain detailed patient charts with identification and therapy information, and order equipment repairs when needed.
• Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees and healthcare personnel, and supervise students during training.
• Read prescriptions, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to determine treatment requirements.
• Determine appropriate inhalant administration methods and necessary precautions.
• Monitor physiological responses to therapy, perform bronchopulmonary drainage, assist with breathing exercises, and conduct pulmonary function tests.
• Consult physicians when patients experience adverse reactions.

Benefits

• Night Shift Program and Weekend Program with premium differentials
• Career ladder opportunities aligned to education, certifications, and experience
• Tuition assistance, paid study time, and exam reimbursement to support CRTs pursuing RRT credentials
• Sign-on bonuses for qualified therapists, with part-time bonuses prorated based on commitment

What This Job Offers

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