Outpatient Pulmonary - Certified/Registered Respiratory Therapist (Part-time)

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System is seeking a certified Respiratory Therapist to administer care services to patients across all age groups. The candidate will perform assessments, monitor critical patients requiring ventilator management, and provide documentation as per department policies. Required qualifications include CPR certification and a license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Preferred qualifications include experience in neonatal care and ventilator management. This role requires adherence to strict health protocols and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be certified as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• CPR certification is required.
• Experience with neonatal intensive care is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer physician-prescribed treatment and testing to patients.
• Conduct patient assessments and monitor ventilator management.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to junior staff.

Skills

CPR certification

Certified Respiratory Therapist qualification

Neonatal intensive care experience

Ventilator management

Arterial gas punctures

Education

Certification as a Respiratory Care Practitioner by the PA State Board of Medicine

Job description

Position Summary

Administers respiratory care services in accordance with department policies and procedures, providing input to the clinical evaluation and technical aspects of administered care. Responsibilities include care for patients across all age groups: neonatal (birth to 30 days), pediatric (30 days through 12 years), adolescent (13 through 18 years), adult (19 through 64 years), and geriatric (65 years and above).

Essential Functions

• Administers physician‑prescribed treatment/testing to patients in all clinical areas according to physician order and/or department policy and procedure.
• Conducts patient assessment and communicates directly with patients, families, physicians and other disciplines concerning patient needs, ability and understanding.
• Performs physician‑ordered arterial blood sample collection and subsequent analysis on an arterial blood gas analyzer for oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH and oxygen saturation levels.
• Provides complete and accurate documentation according to department policies for performed services in the electronic medical record.
• Processes all pulmonary procedure charges in the computerized Charge Capture system.
• Administers therapeutic gases, aerosol and humidity therapy, positive pressure breathing treatment (IPPB/CPAP), deep breathing exercises, airway care, and postural drainage and percussion/vibration for secretion removal.
• Establishes, monitors and adjusts ventilator management of critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation under the direction of a physician and/or established physician protocol.
• Administers topical anesthesia for bronchoscopies, assists physician during procedures, and provides navigation support and rehabilitation services including patient education, family education, smoking counseling, exercise assessment, training & program development, home‑care coordination, and preventive maintenance and QA activities on equipment.
• Performs patient registration, medical record management and patient scheduling.
• Provides physician‑ordered pulmonary diagnostic studies, including exercise with oximetry studies and other testing services, and assists with specialized diagnostic studies (PFT).

Secondary Functions

• Confers with physicians, Manager, Clinical Services and shift supervisor regarding patient respiratory care plans and therapy effectiveness.
• Receives, performs and documents verbal orders from physicians pertaining to respiratory care.
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to respiratory therapists, students, RNs, providers and respiratory equipment aides.
• Assists in processing respiratory‑related equipment and participates in on‑call, weekend and holiday responsibilities.
• Acts as charge therapist when required, supervises and provides clinical instruction to respiratory therapy students, and assists in orientation of new employees.
• Engages in quality and process improvement activities and performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Minimum Required Qualifications

• CPR certification.
• Certification as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (or hold a temporary permit) by the PA State Board of Medicine.
• Certified Respiratory Therapist qualification.

Preferred Qualifications – Inpatient Respiratory Therapist

• One year of neonatal intensive care experience.
• One year of arterial gas punctures.
• One year of ventilator management.
• Registry through NBRC for one year.

Preferred Qualifications – Outpatient Respiratory Therapist

• One or more years of background experience/knowledge of Pulmonary Function Therapy.
• Rehab/home‑care experience (Pulmonary Navigation/Rehabilitation).
• Two years of critical‑care exposure to pulmonary patients.
• One year of non‑acute care with pulmonary patients.
• Registry through NBRC for one year.
• Certification as a Pulmonary Function Tech (CPFT) through the National Board of Respiratory Care.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to biohazardous waste.
• Exposure to blood‑borne pathogens.
• Exposure to chemicals.
• Exposure to extreme noise levels.
• Exposure to high‑pressure steam.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.