Respiratory Therapist PRN Nights

About the role

Kindred Hospital Dallas Central and Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) provides specialized care for patients with complex medical needs. Our long‑term acute care hospital (LTACH) offers advanced, hospital‑level treatment for chronically and critically ill patients requiring extended stays. The Acute Rehabilitation Unit is dedicated to helping patients recover from acute injuries, impairments, or illnesses. Both the LTACH and ARU collaborate with physicians to provide 24/7 clinical care, ensuring continuous support on the patient’s path to recovery.

Responsibilities

• Competently deliver respiratory care procedures throughout the hospital in accordance with Respiratory Care policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture for all respiratory care procedures.
• Develop, document, and maintain respiratory care elements of the patient plan of care.
• Verify and initiate all physician orders for respiratory care.
• Demonstrate competency and working knowledge of all respiratory care instruments and equipment, including troubleshooting, problem resolution, and proper disinfection/sterilization.
• Initiate, monitor, and maintain oxygen/aerosol delivery devices and non‑invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.
• Perform effective airway management, including oral/nasal airway placement, bag/mask ventilation, intubation and/or intubation assistance, and emergent and scheduled tracheostomy tube changes.
• Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways.
• Initiate and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube, and oral care.
• Implement one‑way speaking valve trials per physician order.
• Assist physicians with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
• Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments with appropriate interventions and documentation.
• Perform and document timely spontaneous breathing trial assessments for weaning readiness.
• Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning per protocol.
• Actively participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program.
• Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
• Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis, including ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance.
• Provide and document patient and family teaching/education.
• Provide accurate and complete patient handoff reports.
• Participate in department/hospital in‑services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
• Notify immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
• Provide timely updates to the healthcare team and recommend modifications to patient therapy as clinically indicated.
• Assist in orientation and training of new employees/students, and precept new employees during orientation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

• Ability to work under stress and respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Effective interpersonal communication with healthcare team members, patients, and families.
• Understanding of lifespan growth and development, providing care appropriate for adult and geriatric populations.
• Team‑oriented work style.
• Good and regular attendance.
• Fluent reading, writing, and speaking in English.
• Zero percent travel required.

Qualifications

Education

• Post‑secondary certificate/diploma/program graduate from an accredited respiratory therapy program (required).
• Associate’s degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program (required).

Licenses/Certifications

• RCP – Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or comparable state certification (required upon hire).
• RRT – Registered Respiratory Therapist credential (preferred upon hire).
• BCLS – Basic Life Support (required upon hire or within facility‑specified time frame).
• ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support (required upon hire or within facility‑specified time frame).

Experience

• 1+ years related experience (preferred).