Graduate Respiratory Therapist CRT/RRT - UPMC Mercy

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh is seeking new graduate Respiratory Therapists to begin a rewarding career in a high-acuity, Level I Trauma Center. You will gain hands-on experience alongside experienced clinicians, with structured onboarding, mentorship, and ongoing development.

We offer sign-on bonuses of $15,000 for 0–1 year of experience and $20,000 for 1+ years with a 2-year commitment, plus a comprehensive benefits package and career ladder to advance your practice.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a CoARC approved Respiratory program or eligible for temporary license with transcripts.
• BLS or CPR certification required (per AHA standards).
• CRT credential from NBRC required prior to expiration of temporary permit; CRTT credential maintenance per NBRC.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates medical orders and interprets clinical data to optimize patient care.
• Sets up and operates ventilators and respiratory equipment to deliver therapy.
• Transports mechanically ventilated patients and responds to code situations.
• Maintains patient charts and supervises trainees during training.
• Monitors physiological responses and adjusts therapy as per physician orders.
• Reviews patient information to determine therapy type and duration.

Education

CoARC accredited Respiratory Program

NBRC CRT/CRTT certification

Job description

Launch your respiratory therapy career at UPMC Mercy, where compassion, teamwork, and clinical excellence define patient care. We are seeking New Graduate Respiratory Therapists ready to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact from day one.

UPMC Mercy is a large, acute‑care Level I Trauma Center with a strong community feel. Mercy is western Pennsylvania’s only hospital with a Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center and a comprehensive Burn Center under one roof, and it serves as a hub for the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, specializing in care for traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke patients.

As a new graduate at UPMC Mercy, you’ll work alongside experienced clinicians in a supportive, team‑oriented environment, gain hands‑on experience with high‑acuity patients, and benefit from structured onboarding, mentorship, and ongoing professional development.

If you’re a recent or upcoming graduate looking for a place to learn, grow, and make a difference early in your career, we invite you to start that journey at UPMC Mercy.

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

As a Respiratory Therapist with UPMC, you’ll also have access to:

• Take the Registered Respiratory Therapist exam at no cost to you as a Certified Respiratory Therapist
• A comprehensive benefits package designed to support your total well‑being – physically, financially, and emotionally
• Up to 5 weeks of paid time off, plus seven paid holidays
• An enhanced Respiratory Therapy career ladder designed to help you get where you want to be
• Flexible schedule options to make your career work for you, including casual opportunities, nights, or weekends
• $6,000 in tuition reimbursement each year, plus a partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County to help you advance your education and grow your career

Purpose:

Under the general direction of a physician and by prescription, 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:

• Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders. Interprets clinical data to optimize patient clinical objectives.
• 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.
• Assists to transport mechanically ventilated patients. Responds to all code situations.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required OR students who have received a temporary license are permitted to begin employment with approval from the Human Resources department along with their official transcripts.
• Basic Life Support or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation required Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRTT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required prior to expiration of temporary practice permit.
• Respiratory therapists who receive their CRT 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) - CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT)
• Osteopathic Respiratory Care OR Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran