Respiratory Therapist

Aiken Regional Medical Centers, located in Aiken, South Carolina, is a 273-bed acute care facility providing quality healthcare to the residents of Aiken and surrounding communities. Services include emergency medical care, orthopedic surgeries, maternity, and behavioral health services.

About the role

The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced Cardiopulmonary Services to neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. The RRT plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of Cardiopulmonary Services and may assume charge responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data.
• Performs pediatric through geriatric general and critical care, including intubation and airway maintenance.
• Initiates, maintains, monitors, and weans mechanical ventilation, CPAP, and BiPAP on all age groups.
• Attends high-risk deliveries to assess and stabilize the neonate.
• Assesses and manages airway patency, intubation, suctioning, oxygenation, and ventilation.
• Attends neonatal through geriatric resuscitations and manages the airway, ventilation, and oxygenation during CPR.
• Assists with special procedures such as tracheotomy, thoracentesis, chest tube, and arterial line insertion.
• Assesses patient needs and ability to tolerate treatment; reassesses for response to treatment.
• Formulates an appropriate Respiratory Care plan based on patient assessment and communicates changes with the healthcare team.
• Develops and evaluates a teaching plan for patients and families based on identified learning needs.
• Performs fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures, including pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy assist, conscious sedation monitoring, oximetry, capnography, EKGs, and Holter monitors.
• Performs arterial punctures, arterial line sampling, and heel sticks for blood gas sampling.
• Maintains clinical and professional competency based on established standards of practice.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions on Cardiopulmonary equipment, including blood gas analyzers.
• Documents all pertinent data on the patient’s medical record and maintains knowledge of department forms and logbooks.
• Demonstrates knowledge of techniques and treatment modalities for patients from neonate to geriatric.

Requirements

• Associate Degree in Respiratory Care or equivalent.
• Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
• 2–4 years of experience in both basic and advanced respiratory care procedures for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Current S.C. Respiratory Care Practitioner License.
• BLS certification by the AHA; ACLS, PALS, NALS.

Benefits

• Challenging and rewarding work environment.
• Competitive compensation and generous paid time off.
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan.
• SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program.
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ subsidiaries.
• Loan Forgiveness Program (if offered).