Respiratory Care Practitioner (RRT)

It's more than a career, it's a calling

Worker Type:

Job Highlights:

Join a team where your work matters—every moment, every patient,

every community. At SSM Health, you’ll be empowered to grow,

supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact.

The Respiratory Therapist provides advanced respiratory care to patients across critical care and emergency settings. This role requires strong clinical judgment, proficiency with complex respiratory therapies, and the ability to function effectively and independently in high-acuity, fast-paced environments.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Initiate and manage peripheral IV access and assist with IV therapies as within scope and facility policy
• Perform arterial and venous blood gas sampling and assist with laboratory specimen collection
• Apply and assist with splinting and patient positioning to support respiratory function and patient safety
• Chaperone physicians during examinations and procedures as required
• Monitor and support patients undergoing conscious sedation, including airway management, oxygenation, ventilation, and continuous patient assessment
• Set up, operate, adjust, and monitor invasive and noninvasive ventilator support, including ventilator modes, settings, alarms, and troubleshooting based on patient condition and provider orders
• Manage noninvasive ventilation therapies such as BiPAP, CPAP, and high-flow oxygen delivery systems
• Perform comprehensive respiratory assessments, reassessments, and documentation, including breath sounds, work of breathing, ABGs, and ventilator parameters
• Identify changes in patient respiratory status and respond appropriately, including escalation of care and collaboration with the healthcare team
• Participate in emergency response situations, including rapid response and code events, providing airway and ventilatory support
• Maintain compliance with infection control practices, patient safety standards, and regulatory requirements
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Licensed Respiratory Therapist (RRT or CRT)
• Minimum of 2 years of recent critical care experience preferred
• Emergency Room (ER) experience preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical ventilation, airway management, and critical care respiratory therapies
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in high-stress, high-acuity clinical environments
• Strong communication, critical thinking, and documentation skills

• Department: Respiratory Therapy
• Schedule: PRN, Nights, 7p to 7a, 1 to 2 x12-Hour Shifts/Week
• Shift Differentials: Available for night, weekend, and additional shifts​
• Location: SSM Health St. Anthony Healthplex

Apply today. SSM Health – We bring out the incredible in you,

everyday.

Job Summary:

Job Responsibilities and Requirements:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assesses patient for appropriate type and frequency of treatment and develops a plan of care based on diagnosis.
• Responsible for providing respiratory care services in accordance with specific physician's orders, department policies and procedures and guidelines.
• Implements and monitors patient care plan and equipment. Monitors, records and communicates patient condition. Performs advanced respiratory care modalities.
• Evaluates respiratory practice, administration of medications, and treatment based on patient outcome.
• Educates the patient and family about the health condition and provides information about community support groups and other available programs.
• Assists with care, calibration and maintenance of all equipment. Participates in maintaining departmental inventory levels for supplies and equipment. Processes equipment per established cleaning/sterilization procedures.
• Responds to Medical Emergencies and Rapid Responses.
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

• Associate's degree in Respiratory Care or equivalent years of experience and education.

EXPERIENCE

• No experience required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Constant use of speech to share information through oral communication.
• Constant standing and walking.
• Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs.
• Frequent sitting, reaching and keyboard use/data entry.
• Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.
• Frequent use of smell to detect/recognize odors.
• Frequent use of hearing to receive oral communication, distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.
• Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs.
• Occasional lifting/moving of patients.
• Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting, gripping and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements.
• Occasional driving.
• Rare crawling and running.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS 

 
State of Work Location: Illinois 

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) 
• And 
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) 
• And 
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) 
• And 
• Respiratory Care Practitioner, Registered - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) 

State of Work Location: Missouri 

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) 
• And 
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) 
• And 
• Respiratory Care Practitioner - Missouri Division of Professional Registration 
• Or 
• Respiratory Educ Permit - Missouri Division of Professional Registration 

 
State of Work Location: Oklahoma 

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) 
• And 
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) 
• And 
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) 
• And 
• Letter of Acknowledgement of Receipt of Application for Respiratory Care Practitioner. - Oklahoma Medical Board 
• Or 
• Provisional Respiratory Care Therapist - Oklahoma Medical Board 
• Or 
• Respiratory Care Practitioner - Oklahoma Medical Board 

 
State of Work Location: Wisconsin 

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) 
• And 
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) 
• And 
• Respiratory Care Practitioner - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services 
  
   

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SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.