Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

Join Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital's team of caregivers that remain on the leading edge of technology and education, all while consistently providing patient-centered healthcare. As part of Cleveland Clinic's Florida region, Weston Hospital is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Florida regions. Here, you will receive endless support and appreciation while building a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.

As a Respiratory Therapist, you will support a diverse patient population, with many managing chronic respiratory disorders, critical illnesses and related symptoms. In this role, combining your skills with a compassionate attitude and outlook can make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. All the while, you will gain extensive hands-on experience in cardiopulmonary assessments, arterial blood gas analysis, oxygenation studies and more. You can also explore the numerous professional development resources offered by Cleveland Clinic, potentially expanding into higher positions and roles within the hospital.

This is a regular PRN position, with caregivers working days between 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Provide care to all patient populations taking into account assessment and interview techniques identifying psychosocial, physical and education needs common to appropriate to the population.
• Provide for patient's privacy and provide recurrence and support when there is anxiety.
• Modify therapy to reflect response unique to all patient populations.
• Maintain continuous ventilation of patients on mechanical ventilators (invasive and noninvasive).
• Monitor patient's ventilatory status through use of spirometers, pressure gauges and chest auscultation.
• Draw and analyze arterial blood gases and measure respiratory exchange.
• Recommend therapy changes based on analysis of various data.
• Wean patients from continuous ventilation utilizing established procedures.
• Perform cardiopulmonary assessment to evaluate patient's respiratory status.
• Analyze, record and report results, such as arterial blood gases, oxygenation studies, pulmonary function tests, hemodynamic monitoring parameters, etc.
• Recommend modification to therapy or implementation of treatments.
• Maintain airway care by performing and instructing proper tracheal instillations, tracheal aspiration, and nasotracheal aspiration.
• Perform invasive procedures such as arterial puncture, tracheostomy tube changes as ordered by the physician.
• Assist the physician in bedside and/or scheduled bronchoscopy procedures.
• Perform bedside spirometry procedures and/or complete Pulmonary Function studies with appropriate training (clinic staff).
• Perform basic respiratory therapies, such as medicated aerosols, oxygen therapy, nitric oxide administration, humidity/aerosol, bronchopulmonary hygiene, hyperinflation techniques and pulse oximetry, while verifying physician order and utilizing appropriate treatment guidelines.
• Observe and respond to adverse patient reactions to therapy or otherwise and initiate/assist in Rapid Response and Code Blue (CPR) situations.
• Select, assemble, test, modify, and maintain respiratory equipment.
• Utilize/troubleshoot CPAP units (hospital/clinic).
• Act as a resource for Pulmonologists, training residents and new caregivers.
• Assist in providing departmental training and classes (RRT credentialed therapists unless approved by the Departmental Director).
• Maintain complete and up-to-date documentation and files at all times.
• Keep abreast of changes in the field and meet continuing education requirements for licensure by attending in-service programs, seminars, etc.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Graduate from an AMA approved Respiratory Care Program
• State of Florida Department of Health Licensed Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certification
• One year of clinical experience OR newly licensed personnel for an entry level position
• Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certifications through the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross
• Up-to-date CEU requirements

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Membership of the Florida Society of Respiratory Care
• Membership of the American Association for Respiratory Care
• Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS)

Physical Requirements:

• Requires good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
• Requires normal hearing and vision or corrected to normal range.
• May require sitting, standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
• This position requires proficiency in treatment of respiratory disorders for inpatient and outpatients with various media, i.e. oxygen, therapeutic gases, inhaled medications and positive pressure devices.
• Interpretive skills frequent interactive and consultative associations are inherent in this position.
• The ability to retrieve, communicate or otherwise present information in a written, auditory or visual fashion is essential.
• Physical Duties: Moderate to heavy lifting and positioning of patients.
• Moderate pushing and pulling of equipment.
• Working Conditions: 100% air-conditioned.
• Moderate risk of exposure to blood or air-borne pathogens.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.

If applying for a Florida position, please see the following website for more information on the background screening requirements required by the Agency of Health Care Administration:

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment opportunity employer.