Casual Respiratory Therapist, RRT

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Passavant is seeking a Casual Senior Respiratory Therapist to deliver advanced respiratory care under physician direction in multiple settings. The role requires a strong background in critical care, leadership, and educational duties, with emphasis on ventilator management and high-risk modalities.

Responsibilities include supervising trainees, performing bronchoscopy-related tasks, ensuring accurate documentation, and supporting transport of ventilated patients.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a Co ARC approved Respiratory program.
• In lieu of an associate's degree, 5 to 7 years of experience or NBRC Certification.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Two years of total respiratory care experience with a minimum of one year in critical care is required.
• Must complete one approved project within each annual performance review period (project approved within 3 months of hire).
• CPR required based on AHA standards within 30 days of hire.
• PA: RCP license required; NBRC RRT credential required.
• Maryland license required if practicing in Maryland.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced respiratory therapy and life-support services under physician direction.
• Lead/Support the senior clinical resource and supervise trainees.
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot respiratory therapy equipment, including ventilators.
• Perform advanced procedures and testing and assess patient responses to therapy.
• Assist with transport of mechanically ventilated patients and respond to code situations.
• Maintain patient documentation and ensure equipment safety and repairs.
• Educate staff and supervise students during clinical training.

Skills

Respiratory therapy

Critical care

Education & training

Ventilator management

Leadership

Education

Co ARC approved Respiratory program

5–7 years experience in respiratory care (in lieu of associate degree)

NBRC Certification

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

UPMC Passavant is hiring a Casual Senior Respiratory Therapist. This position requires working 36 hours over a 6-week period.

Purpose

Under physician direction, the Senior Respiratory Therapist provides advanced respiratory therapy and life-support services to patients with cardiopulmonary conditions. This role demonstrates advanced clinical expertise and performs all duties of a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) across all patient populations and care areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of high-risk respiratory modalities, including Nitric Oxide (NO) and Tracheal Gas Insufflation (TGI).
• Provides respiratory care in both traditional and non-traditional settings, including OR, ED, Cath Lab, Lung Center, Recovery Areas, and Transport.
• Performs advanced procedures and testing, including bronchoscopy, ABG lab troubleshooting, pulmonary function testing, breath alcohol testing, EEG, EKG, stress testing, and Holter monitoring as needed.
• Monitors patient responses to therapy by assessing vital signs, arterial blood gases, and lab values; identifies and reports adverse reactions.
• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patients with breathing exercises.
• Maintains accurate patient documentation and orders equipment repairs as needed.
• Assists with transport of mechanically ventilated patients and responds to all code situations.
• Evaluates medical orders and interprets clinical data to optimize patient outcomes.
• Sets up, operates, monitors, and troubleshoots respiratory therapy equipment, including ventilators and aerosol delivery systems.
• Ensures respiratory equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Provides education and demonstrations to trainees and healthcare staff; supervises students during clinical training.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Functions as Lead/Charge Respiratory Therapist when needed in the absence of a Supervisor or Manager.
• Serves as a senior clinical resource to staff by supporting problem-solving, training, and skill development.

Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required. In lieu of an associate's degree, must have 5 to 7 years of experience or have an NBRC Certification

Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Two (2) years of total respiratory care experience with a minimum of one (1) year in critical care is required. Must successfully complete one (1) approved project from the department's project list during each annual performance review period. Project approved within 3 months of hire.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire. Employees practicing in Pennsylvania: Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania required. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required. Respiratory Therapists who receive their RRT credential from the NBRC after July 1, 2002 are required to maintain certification under the NBRC requirements. Employees practicing in Maryland: Maryland Respiratory Therapist license required.

CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Osteopathic Respiratory Care OR Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran