Respiratory Therapist, MW Pulmonology, Outpatient Clinic - Full Time Days

Respiratory Therapist

Start the day excited to make a differenceend the day knowing you did. Come join our team.

The Respiratory Therapist (RT) provides specialized respiratory care and advanced pulmonary diagnostic testing within the outpatient pulmonary clinic and pulmonary diagnostic laboratory. The RT works collaboratively with pulmonologists and the multidisciplinary care team to evaluate pulmonary function, support the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions, and deliver patient education in support of outpatient pulmonary care. The RT plays a key role in supporting pulmonary service line growth through high-quality diagnostic testing, patient education, and participation in program development and quality initiatives.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Pulmonary Diagnostic Testing

• Performs pulmonary function testing, including spirometry (pre- and post-bronchodilator), ensuring accurate patient instruction, proper technique, and reproducible results.
• Conducts lung volume testing (plethysmography) to evaluate restrictive and obstructive lung disease.
• Administers diffusion capacity (DLCO) testing and validates data accuracy prior to physician interpretation.
• Performs FeNO testing to assess airway inflammation and support asthma management.
• Conducts bronchoprovocation testing (e.g., methacholine challenge), including patient screening, monitoring, and response evaluation.
• Performs cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), including patient preparation, physiologic monitoring, and data collection.
• Administers 6-minute walk tests and exercise oximetry to assess functional capacity and oxygen requirements.
• Monitors oxygen saturation and performs oxygen titration studies to determine appropriate supplemental oxygen needs.
• Performs High Altitude Simulation Testing (HAST) for pre-flight evaluation in patients with chronic lung disease.
• Performs maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure testing (MIP/MEP) and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) for evaluation of respiratory muscle strength and neuromuscular disease.
• Performs alternative bronchoprovocation testing including mannitol challenge or eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) for the evaluation of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
• Observes patients throughout testing for adverse reactions and intervenes or escalates care as appropriate.

Pulmonary Function Laboratory Operations

• Calibrates, troubleshoots, and maintains pulmonary diagnostic equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Applies ATS/ERS standards to ensure quality, consistency, and clinical validity of all testing procedures.
• Reviews test data for completeness, quality, and reproducibility; repeats or corrects testing as needed.
• Documents procedures, patient responses, and results accurately in the electronic medical record (Epic).
• Supports efficient lab operations by managing workflow, patient throughput, and equipment readiness.

Sleep & Respiratory Device Management

• Downloads, analyzes, and summarizes PAP device compliance data to support provider evaluation and treatment planning.
• Fits patients for PAP masks and provides education on use, maintenance, and adherence strategies.
• Troubleshoots device-related issues and reinforces therapy compliance.
• Supports evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing by collecting and organizing clinical data.

Respiratory Clinical Care

• Performs arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and interprets results to support clinical decision-making.
• Administers aerosolized medications and bronchodilator therapies as part of diagnostic testing or treatment.
• Monitors patient response to therapies and testing, identifying abnormal findings or complications.
• Communicates clinically significant findings promptly to physicians and care team members.

Patient Education

• Instructs patients on proper inhaler and nebulizer techniques to optimize medication delivery.
• Educates patients and families on respiratory conditions, treatment plans, and self-management strategies.
• Provides guidance on oxygen therapy, including safety, equipment use, and troubleshooting.
• Trains patients on CPAP/BiPAP setup, use, and adherence.
• Provides bronchiectasis airway clearance education, including Flutter/Acapella device technique, hypertonic saline nebulizer setup and use, high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) vest therapy, and instruction on the daily airway clearance routine.

Program Development & Quality Improvement

• Participates in development and refinement of pulmonary diagnostic protocols and workflows.
• Assists with implementation of new diagnostic technologies and services.
• Monitors quality indicators and contributes to performance improvement initiatives.
• Supports growth of pulmonary services through collaboration with leadership and clinical teams.
• Participates in trainee education and clinical teaching for medical students, internal medicine residents, and future Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellows.

Performs other duties assigned.

Qualifications:

Required

• Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy program.
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required at hire.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required at hire.
• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) required within 18 months of hire.

Preferred

• Experience performing pulmonary function testing (PFTs).
• Experience with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).
• Experience with bronchoprovocation testing.
• Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C).
• Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) certification.

MWHC will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status (EOE). We are also committed to equitable and transparent compensation practices and comply with all applicable pay transparency and pay equity laws.

Required

Physical Requirements: Constant (67-100% of workday) walking, standing, use of arms and hands; frequent (34-66% of workday) bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting; ability to lift 35 lbs.; ability to push and pull 20 lbs.; auditory and visual skills to include color determination; ability to work in confined spaces; ability to reach above/overhead.

Mental Requirements: Possesses critical thinking and analytical skills. Ability to multi-task. Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team. Capacity to cope with difficult situations. Ability to tolerate irregular hours including evenings, nights, and weekends.

Environmental Requirements and Exposure Hazards: Potential risk of exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals. Potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens; must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

*Clinical positions in Mary Washington Home Health and/or Hospice must also meet driving requirements.

"It is the policy of Mary Washington Healthcare to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability who are applicants for employment or Associates."

Compensation Pay Range:

$35.77 - $53.65