Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Acute Care

Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Acute Care

Assess and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disorders in acute care settings, including ICU and ED. Provide ventilator management, airway clearance, and monitoring to support crisis and stabilization efforts.

Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and respiratory care leadership to deliver timely, evidence-based therapies.

Responsibilities

• Assess respiratory status and develop care plans in collaboration with the care team
• Administer medications and perform airway clearance and ventilation support
• Adjust ventilator settings and monitor devices; perform ABG sampling as indicated
• Perform arterial or venous blood gas analyses and interpret results
• Document interventions and patient response in the electronic medical record
• Educate patients and families on respiratory therapies and safety
• Coordinate with physicians and nurses on plan of care and weaning protocols
• Assist with emergent airway management and crisis intervention as needed

Qualifications

Education:

Associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy or a related program; bachelor's degree preferred for some roles.

Licensure:

State licensure as a Respiratory Therapist; NBRC credential (RRT) often required or strongly preferred.

Certifications:

• NBRC Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential
• Basic Life Support (BLS); Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred

Experience or Skills:

Experience in critical care settings, ventilator management, and complex patient monitoring; strong communication and teamwork skills.

Experience

• Experience in ICU/ED environments with mechanical ventilation
• Experience with ABG analysis and patient assessment

Preferred

• Experience with advanced ventilation modes or ECMO/VA-ECMO exposure
• Certification in pediatric or neonatal respiratory care

Work Environment

High-acuity, fast-paced environment with 24/7 coverage expectations; may require shift work and on-call duties.

Documentation is conducted in the electronic health record with strict adherence to safety standards and infection control protocols.