PRN-RRT Tier 1

Job Requirements

The PRN Registered Respiratory Therapist at Union Medical Center provides direct age-specific and culturally appropriate patient care through the provision of adequate ventilation and oxygenation using medical gases and breathing equipment. This role involves administering respiratory medications, performing invasive procedures, assisting with patient and staff education, and collaborating with the Medical Director and Department Director/Manager.

• Utilizes knowledge and skill at the advanced level to provide direct age specific and culturally appropriate patient care.
• Administers respiratory medications and performs invasive procedures such as arterial blood sampling punctures, endotracheal intubation/extubation, tracheostomy care, and other procedures as outlined on the competency grid form.
• Aids as a clinical resource and participates in patient and staff education.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Associate Degree graduate of an approved Respiratory Therapy program or meets minimum requirements to qualify for the NBRC RRT examination.
• Experience: Successful completion of new hire orientation within probationary period. Must successfully complete annual Respiratory Care Hospital required competency assessment.
• Licenses/Registrations/Certifications: Must be Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care with RRT credential, hold a current South Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) License, and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Preferred Requirements: Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy or a Bachelors in Respiratory Therapy, 1-2 years of experience in the specialty area (Ex. Adult critical care, Neonatal/Pediatrics area), and current certifications in ACLS, PALS, and NRP for Neonatal/Pediatric specialty areas.

Preferred Requirements

• Specialized Training: Specialized training and 1-year experience in Pulmonary Functions and cardiac testing if applicable.
• Preferred Licenses/Registrations/Certifications: ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications; STABLE certification is preferred.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Performs and documents detailed age-specific respiratory assessment, including heart rate, breath sounds, respiratory rate, and sputum characteristics, and notifies the physician of any identified abnormalities.
• Verifies physician orders for new/current and/or changes in orders on all assigned patients by reviewing medication lists throughout the shift.
• Recommends therapy modifications to ensure appropriateness of care using medical director-approved oxygen and aerosol protocols.
• Initiates mechanical invasive and non-invasive ventilation per physician order; performs ventilator bundles on all ventilated patients.
• Checks EMR to verify physician orders for new/current and/or changes in orders on all assigned patients by reviewing medication list throughout the shift.
• Documents all assessments and procedures in EMR.
• Responds to all assigned designated medical alerts, establishes and maintains the airway.
• Aids the physician with bronchoscopy procedure as requested.
• Ensures that appropriate critical path/standard of care/plan of care is identified and collaboratively implemented.