Registered Respiratory Therapist

Where compassion meets innovation and technology and our employees are family.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! Please review the job information below.


Up to $10,000 Sign-On Bonus + Relocation Assistance!

Join our dedicated healthcare team and make a meaningful impact on patient care. We're offering a competitive sign-on bonus of up to $10,000 for qualified Registered Respiratory Therapists - amount based on experience.

General Purpose of Job:

The staff respiratory therapist (RRT) is a professional that provides respiratory therapy services to patients within the hospital and complies within the established standards of practice, policies and clinical guidelines reflective of evidence-based best practice. The respiratory therapist plans and delivers effective patient care within their scope of practice and within the framework of Driscoll Health System's vision of excellence and integrated care delivery. The practice of the respiratory therapist contributes to creating an environment that is patient focused, family centered and is designed to provide continuation of care and patient transition management.

Essential functions and behavioral expectations:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; employees will perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.

• Assembles respiratory therapy equipment prior to patient use.
• Setup, troubleshoot, and evaluate effectiveness of respiratory support systems in use.
• Setup and monitoring of respiratory therapy equipment and administer therapy to include but not limited to: aerosol, oxygen, chest percussion, positive pressure breathing, lung lavage, breathing exercises transcutaneous oxygen/carbon dioxide monitors, end tidal carbon dioxide monitors, pulse oximeters nitric oxide, nitrogen, heliox therapy equipment and mechanical ventilators.
• Responds to emergency situations to assist or manage respiratory support measures and assist with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and patient transports.
• Monitors patient pulmonary condition and progress, and reports any abnormal findings to shift supervisor and/or nurse.
• Suggest therapeutic modification of care plan to prescribing physician.
• Assist with training of new employees.
• Assist with department's continued quality improvement plan.
• Assist with equipment cleaning / disinfection measures during peak workloads.

• Transport patients within or out of hospital.

• Volunteer for hospital / community service.
• Run and Process arterial, capillary and venous blood gases and report any critical values as specified by lab's standards.
• Perform bedside intubations under the supervision of a practitioner.
• Attend high-risk deliveries and assist practitioner in evaluating and treating infant as necessary and/or verbally ordered.

Communication - Conveys information and shares ideas using the appropriate techniques to reach different audiences; promotes understanding and open information sharing. Listens actively; solicits and gives constructive and honest feedback. Is sensitive to the needs, ideas, and feelings of others. Develops and maintains rapport with others. Adheres to confidentiality guidelines.

• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patient and family using individualized interventions to ensure patient comfort and dignity.
• Identifies barriers to learning, develops and implements education plan based on assessed patient/family needs.
• Uses clear, closed loop communication that enhances team information sharing and decision making.
• Uses chain of command to obtain appropriate health care response as an advocate for the patient.
• Functions as a patient/family advocate, seeking direction as needed to provide safe, effective, efficient, and timely care.
• Participates in hospital or departmental committees.
• Attends and participates in departmental activities, in-services and meetings.
• Initiates appropriate referrals to the healthcare team based on assessed patient needs.
• Documents timely and accurately in the electronic medical record to reflect patients' plan of care and response to interventions.

Customer/Patient Focus-Understands and anticipates the needs of both internal and external customers. Meets customer needs while remaining a good steward of organizational resources.

• Performs initial and ongoing focused assessments to identify actual, potential and critical changes in the patient's condition and follows through with appropriate reporting and actions.
• Develops, implements, and modifies an individualized plan of care that reflects cultural aspects as appropriate of illness/hospitalization to meet patient needs and diagnoses.
• Prioritizes, plans, organizes and directs care of assigned patients.
• Involves the patient and family in healthcare decisions and care as appropriate.
• Evaluates and reports pertinent patient response to interventions based on evidence-based best practice.
• Administers medications and other therapeutic treatments per clinical guidelines and orders; recognizes abnormal responses to medication therapy and initiates corrective therapy.
• Intervenes appropriately after correlating clinical picture to therapeutic treatment plan.
• Selects and utilizes appropriate equipment, devices, and supplies based on the patient's needs and treatment plan.
• Ensures proper cleaning, disinfection and assembly for the cleanliness and proper function of equipment, identifies any deficits and reports appropriately.
• Participates in clinical research by following specific protocols.

Teamwork- Fully participates in maintaining a positive team environment that is conducive to customer satisfaction. Builds trust among co-workers, focusing on accomplishing hospital and departmental goals. Works effectively with a diverse group of people in pursuit of the organization's goals. Shifts personal goals when necessary to focus on group objectives. Looks for ways to help others and to support their work. Initiates warm transfer techniques to refer customer service concerns to the right individual; does not display "it's not my job" attitude. Values others' contributions and shows respect for all individuals throughout the organization. Can be counted on by others.

• Demonstrates flexibility in staffing and scheduling to meet unit needs.
• Supports real time staffing decisions and assignments for the greater good.
• Supports goals through participation and compliance in unit activities and decision-making.
• Participates in improving patient care by engaging in reviewing and supporting practice change based on evidence-based practice.
• Supports the development, education and training of co-workers and other personnel.
• Maintains and respects relationships and builds rapport with peers and leadership.

Accountability- Takes responsibility and ownership for delivering results through personal initiative and commitment. Willing to make recommendations and assume additional responsibilities. Organizes work and uses time efficiently. Takes the initiative to find additional work during slow or downtimes. Recommends innovative ways of doing work more efficiently and effectively.

• Complies with and supports regulatory and organizational policies and professional standards.
• Completes required ongoing development and education/competency/certifications as required.
• Recognizes personal limitations and seeks guidance.
• Participates in Quality Improvement.
• Identifies trends in patient care outcomes for QI monitoring, practice change, and/or staff education.

Leadership- Exhibits confidence in self and others, inspiring respect and trust. Reacts effectively under pressure and motivates others to perform well. Demonstrates the ability to change behaviors and plans to meet rapidly changing/ competing job demands (new or unusual situations). Receives change as a challenge. Revises plans to meet changing circumstances.

• Ensures safe care by using effective communication and interactions with the health care team.
• Identifies conflict and helps to initiate resolution, seeking assistance when appropriate.
• Delegates appropriately and oversees delegated tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel.
• Assists with changes in unit needs during a crisis situation and works collaboratively to re-establish unit function after a crisis situation.
• Participates in review of unit/department response to a crisis situation.

License, Education and/or Experience:

• Associate in Applied Science (AAS) or graduate from an accredited Respiratory Therapy program.
• License to practice Respiratory Care issued by the Texas Medical Board

Certificates, Registrations:

• Registered Respiratory Therapist credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care. One year general care experience and/or one year pediatric care experience preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider (before hire)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) (within 1 year of hire)
• Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) (within 1 year of hire)
• Perinatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS) - Preferred (must attempt within 3 years of hire) and maintained once obtained