Experienced Respiratory Therapist, RRT - UPMC Presbyterian

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Presbyterian is seeking an experienced Respiratory Therapist to deliver advanced care across high-acuity populations and critical care settings.

The role offers sign-on bonuses of $15,000 for 0–1 year of experience and $20,000 for 1+ years with a 2-year commitment, plus opportunities for career growth within a Level I trauma center.

Applicants must hold ARC-approved program graduate, RCP license, NBRC‑RRT, and BLS/CPR, with ongoing credential maintenance.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a CoARC/ARC-approved Respiratory Therapy program.
• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) NBRC credential required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR required.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory therapy and life support per physician orders.
• Monitor patient responses and adjust treatments accordingly.
• Operate ventilators and gas delivery systems.
• Collaborate with physicians and trainees in care delivery.
• Document care and ensure equipment safety and maintenance.

Skills

Clinical proficiency

Patient assessment

Emergency response

Education

ARC-approved Respiratory Therapy program

NBRC‑RRT credential

Tools

Ventilators

Gas delivery systems

Job description

At UPMC Presbyterian, experienced Respiratory Therapists deliver advanced care to high‑acuity patient populations across transplant, neurosurgery, cardiology, and critical care. As a Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center, our teams provide 24/7 emergency and trauma care to some of the most complex patients in the region.

Our expanding campus includes the new 17‑story Kamin Tower, featuring private patient rooms and advanced specialty ORs designed to elevate both patient outcomes and the caregiver experience. Presbyterian is also the only UPMC facility with an on‑site Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) chamber, offering unique opportunities to support advanced wound care and complex critical care therapies.

What truly sets UPMC Presbyterian apart is our people—collaborative, mission‑driven teams committed to excellence and innovation. If you’re an experienced Respiratory Therapist seeking meaningful work and continued professional growth, UPMC Presbyterian is where your expertise belongs.

We’re excited to offer sign‑on bonuses for qualified Respiratory Therapists who join our team:

• $15,000 for therapists with 0–1 year of experience with a 2-year full-time commitment
• $20,000 for therapists with 1+ years of experience with a 2-year full-time commitment

We offer a lucrative career ladder that we utilize to allow for career growth and promotional opportunities with UPMC! The final candidate will be place in the appropriate job title and salary structure based on education, experience, and certification.

Under the general direction of a physician and by prescription, the Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory therapy services and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Defined responsibilities are performed in all patient populations and in all patient service areas.

Responsibilities

• Assists to transport mechanically ventilated patients.
• Responds to all code situations.
• Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders.
• Interprets clinical data to optimize patient clinical objectives.
• Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information.
• Orders repairs when needed.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
• Supervises students during training.
• Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.
• Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case.
• Consults with physician in the event of adverse reactions.
• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication dosages.
• Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders.
• Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients.
• Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
• Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment functions safely and efficiently.
• Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required
• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license.
• Basic Life Support or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 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

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Osteopathic Respiratory Care OR Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran