Respiratory Care Practitioner III - St. Mary's Hospital

Job Summary

The Respiratory Care Practitioner III is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures including but not limited to oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services and patient and staff education. Monitors the patient's response to such therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical instruction and in‑service training to department staff, other healthcare team members, and students.
• Support clinical learning through mentorship, clinical rounds and practice evaluation.
• Provide clinical leadership for the advancement of professional respiratory practice in intensive care, general care, and outpatient services.
• Give feedback for coaching and performance evaluations of team members.
• Identify quality‑improvement initiatives and design programs that provide measurable outcomes.
• Lead clinical research initiatives, ensuring education, training, and implementation of study designs.
• Collect data, maintain accurate records, and evaluate products.
• Participate actively in facility councils and committees.
• Serve as the shift “Charge Therapist,” managing staffing assignments, coverage, and shift transitions.
• Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy, intubation (when performed by respiratory therapy), and invasive monitoring.
• Perform CPR, including closed‑chest compressions and airway management, in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol.
• Conduct therapeutic procedures to maintain a patient airway (e.g., endotracheal, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal airways, humidification, secretion aspiration, extubation, cuff pressure management) and document them.
• Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators for proper function, correct malfunctions, ensure cleanliness, and determine appropriate use.
• Perform pulmonary function tests (PFT) as needed.
• Serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assess patients’ physical status via inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, behavior, and review of existing records.
• Deliver treatments according to physician orders, explain therapy and goals to patients, and modify procedures based on response.
• Determine appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommend methods to physicians (e.g., IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage, ultrasonic nebulizer, incentive spirometry, MDI with spacers).
• Set up and maintain various modes of oxygen therapy to achieve target PaO₂ levels.
• Administer IPPB or aerosol therapy, prepare medications, adjust devices, monitor vital signs, cough productivity, dyspnea relief, breath sounds, and document adverse reactions.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion to clear bronchial secretions, checking orders and imaging for targeted segments.
• Instruct patients and families on incentive spirometry, MDI use, postural drainage, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Obtain sputum for culture and sensitivity or facilitate airway clearance via coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory values.
• Perform arterial punctures, analyze arterial blood gases (ABG), and interpret results.
• Conduct arterial line procedures, adhering to safety and sterile technique.
• Perform EKGs, understand electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain all respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and actively participate as indicated.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree related to Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare, Healthcare Administration, or Business Administration (preferred). Master’s Degree related to Healthcare, Healthcare Administration, or Business Administration (preferred).
• Licensing & Certifications (required): Current Respiratory Care License in the state of employment; National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential; BLS (Basic Life Support) – American Heart Association; ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) – American Heart Association or Red Cross; PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) – American Heart Association.
• Preferred Certifications: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT); NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) – AAP/AWHONN; Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT); Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT); ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) – NBRC.
• Experience (required): Minimum two years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist or five years as a Certified Respiratory Therapist, with demonstrated clinical competency in at least two of the following settings: Nursery/NICU, PICU, ICU/CCU, Emergency Department, or general care areas.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and provide high‑quality customer service.
• Organizational and time‑management abilities.
• Receptive to feedback and capable of gathering and interpreting data.
• Accountability and sound clinical judgment.
• Knowledge of non‑invasive respiratory equipment (e.g., oximeters, end‑tidal CO₂ analyzers).
• Proficiency with therapeutic procedures: CPAP/BiPAP, jet aerosol, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, pulse oximetry, high‑flow oxygen, continuous aerosols, ventilator management, diagnostic testing.
• Understanding of EKGs, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Experience with arterial blood gas punctures and interpretation.
• Competence in airway maneuvers, bedside pulmonary function testing, patient assessment, and education.
• Familiarity with chest suction equipment and chest X‑ray interpretation.

Training

• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training (preferred).

Pay

Minimum: $33.31 per hour

Maximum: $51.63 per hour

Benefits

Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible). Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HSA/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources, and discounts. Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short‑ and long‑term disability, backup care for children and elders. Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support. Benefits may vary based on market and employment status.