Sr. Respiratory Therapist, RRT - UPMC Comprehensive Lung Center

About the role

The UPMC Comprehensive Lung Center is seeking an experienced Senior Respiratory Therapist, RRT to join a highly specialized team delivering advanced cardiopulmonary care across diverse clinical settings. This role offers the opportunity to practice at the top of your license, utilizing cutting-edge modalities while supporting patients across all populations and service areas. The Senior Respiratory Therapist serves as a clinical expert and senior resource, collaborating closely with physicians and the care team to optimize patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates advanced level of knowledge in high risk modalities specific to the business entity.
• Effectively administers all therapies such as Nitric Oxide (NO) administration and Tracheal Gas Insufflation (TGI).
• Performs advanced functions in non-traditional settings: OR, ED, Cath Lab, Lung Center, Recovery areas, Transport, etc.
• Performs bronchoscopy, Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) lab troubleshooting, completes pulmonary function tests, breath alcohol testing, EEG, EKG, Stress Testing, and 24-hour halter monitoring hook-up and scanning as needed.
• Maintains patient’s chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information.
• Orders repairs when needed.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
• Supervises students during training.
• Assists to transport mechanically ventilated patients.
• Responds to all code situations.
• Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders.
• Interprets clinical data to optimize patient clinical objectives.
• Performs the duties of a Respiratory Therapist, RRT.
• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication dosages.
• Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician’s orders.
• Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients.
• Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
• Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment functions safely and efficiently.
• Functions as a Lead Respiratory Therapist (i.e., Charge Duty) as needed in the absence of the Supervisor or Manager based on department need.
• Functions as a senior level resource to other staff to facilitate problem solving, provide training, and demonstrate techniques.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a CoARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required.
• In lieu of an Associate’s degree, must have 5 to 7 years of experience or have an NBRC Certification.
• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Two (2) years of total respiratory care experience with a minimum of one (1) year in critical care is required.
• Must successfully complete one (1) approved project from the department’s project list during each annual performance review period.
• Project approved within 3 months of hire.
• Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
• Employees practicing in Pennsylvania: Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania required.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required.

Pay

• $15,000 for therapists with 0–1 year of experience with a 2-year full-time commitment.
• $20,000 for therapists with 1+ years of experience with a 2-year full-time commitment.
• Plus, a limited-time incentive to earn an additional $10,000 upon completion of your third year of employment.

Schedule

• This full-time position will work Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.