Traveling Respiratory Therapist (RT) - System Flex

Float to various assigned sites throughout the Bon Secours Mercy Health System (outside of your home location) to provide respiratory care that promotes and restores patients’ health. Locations include hospitals in Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Collect and record accurate patient data; evaluate and assess products.
• Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy, and intubation (where facility policy permits).
• Perform CPR, including closed-chest compressions and airway management, following AHA ACLS protocol.
• Maintain patient airways through therapeutic procedures, including use of airways (endotracheal, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal), humidification, secretion aspiration, extubation, and cuff-pressure management.
• Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators; correct malfunctions and ensure proper use based on patient condition.
• Conduct pulmonary function tests (PFTs).
• Assess patient status through inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, behavior observation, and review of medical records.
• Administer treatments per physician orders; explain therapy and goals to patients; modify procedures based on patient response.
• Recommend and implement therapeutic methods, such as IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage, percussion, ultrasonic nebulizers, incentive spirometry, and metered-dose inhalers.
• Set up and maintain oxygen therapy to achieve adequate arterial oxygen levels (PaO2) with accurate inspired oxygen concentrations.
• Administer IPPB or aerosol therapy, prepare prescribed medications, adjust equipment to patient needs, and monitor vital signs, cough productivity, dyspnea relief, breath sounds, and adverse reactions.
• Perform postural drainage, vibration, and percussion to clear bronchial secretions; verify orders and X-rays before treatment; auscultate before and after to assess effectiveness.
• Educate patients and families on incentive spirometry, MDI administration, postural drainage, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Obtain sputum samples for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance through coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and abnormal blood/urine laboratory values.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis, including ABG interpretation; manage arterial lines with sterile procedures and safety precautions.
• Perform EKGs, understand electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as clinically indicated.

Requirements

• Current Respiratory Care License in the state of practice.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential.
• BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications (American Heart Association or equivalent).
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) preferred.
• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) preferred.
• Associate degree from an AMA-approved Respiratory Care program (required).
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of acute care experience with demonstrated clinical competency in at least two of the following: Nursery/NICU, PICU, ICU/CCU, ED, or general care.
• Proficiency with EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR).

Skills

• Data collection and interpretation.
• Operation of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment (e.g., oximeters, end-tidal CO2 analyzers).
• Therapeutic procedures: CPAP/BiPap, jet aerosol, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, pulse oximetry, high-flow oxygen, continuous aerosols, ventilator management, diagnostic testing.
• EKG performance, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmia recognition.
• Arterial blood gas punctures and testing.
• Airway management techniques.
• Bedside pulmonary function testing.
• Patient assessment and education.
• Chest suction equipment operation.
• Chest X-ray interpretation.
• Sterile procedures.
• Interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Diversity awareness and organizational/time management.
• Accountability and attention to detail.

Patient Population

• Neonates (0–4 weeks).
• Infants (1–12 months).
• Pediatrics (1–12 years).
• Adolescents (13–17 years).
• Adults (18–64 years).
• Geriatrics (65+ years).

Working Conditions

• High-stress periods and fluctuating workloads.
• Up to 10% travel, including long-distance or air travel.
• General office environment; exposure to high noise levels, bright lights, hazardous substances, body fluids, and potential physical altercations or verbal abuse.
• May require physical restraints or exposure to adverse weather, dust, or infectious materials.
• Frequent interruptions; prolonged periods working alone.
• Car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather.
• Universal precautions and personal protective equipment required.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting/carrying: Up to 50 lbs. (1–33% of the time).
• Push/pull: Up to 50 lbs. (1–33% of the time).
• Stooping, kneeling, balancing, bending (34–66% of the time).
• Walking and standing (67–100% of the time).
• Additional requirements: Manual dexterity, shift work, maneuvering patient weight, hearing alarms/telephone/audio, reaching above shoulder, repetitive arm/hand movements, finger dexterity, color vision, far/near acuity, depth perception.
• Hazards: Latex exposure, toxic/caustic chemicals, moving mechanical parts, dust/fumes, electrical shock, X-ray/electromagnetic energy, high-pitched noises, gaseous risks.

Pay

$40.00 – $60.00 per hour.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, and referral bonuses.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions (eligibility-based).
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage; HSA/FSA options.
• Life insurance and mental health resources.
• Paid time off, parental leave, FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability.
• Backup care for children and elders.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.