Registered Respiratory Therapist

UNM Hospital; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Albuquerque seeks a skilled Respiratory Therapist to join their team. You will evaluate patients of all ages, manage respiratory care procedures, and work alongside medical professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Ideal candidates should have an Associate Degree and be proficient in operating hospital respiratory equipment. This role includes rotating shifts and opportunities for critical care participation, making a real difference in patients' lives.

Qualifications

• Skilled in operating hospital respiratory equipment.
• 3 years of experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients and recommend respiratory interventions.
• Deliver aerosolized medications and manage artificial airways.
• Assist with ventilators and respond to trauma pages.

Skills

Clinical knowledge of respiratory equipment

Bilingual skills

Education

Associate Degree in a related discipline

Tools

Hospital respiratory equipment

Job description

Where saving lives meets serious lungs… and a little bit of fun.

Are you a lung-loving hero ready to take your skills from “just breathing” to life‑saving? Join our respiratory care team and help patients of all ages—from brand‑new humans to the wonderfully seasoned—breathe easier. You’ll evaluate patients, recommend interventions, operate all kinds of fancy respiratory gadgets, and make a real impact (sometimes literally, during CPR).

Responsibilities

• Be the go‑to guru for respiratory disease management.
• Teach patients how to breathe better (yes, that’s a thing!) and understand their therapy.
• Keep patients comfortable using approved scripting—your words matter as much as your care.
• Deliver aerosolized medications, chest physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, pulmonary hygiene, and more.
• Manage artificial airways and tracheostomies like an absolute pro.
• Perform both non‑invasive and invasive procedures with confidence and skill.
• Support CRTs and RT assistants—they’ll look up to you, literally and figuratively.

Mechanical Ventilation Responsibilities

• Assist with ventilators, monitor mechanically supported patients, and help guide them through weaning protocols.
• Work with physicians to choose the best ventilatory strategies.
• Join critical care rounds—your voice matters!
• Participate in the hospital’s CPR team.
• Manage airways, bag‑mask ventilation, chest compressions, and endotracheal tube stabilization during “Dr. Heart” events.
• Respond to trauma pages and high‑risk deliveries.
• Assist with intubations, surfactant administration, and transport of ventilated patients.
• Perform arterial sticks for ABGs (your aim is everything).
• Run, interpret, and act on blood gas and electrolyte results.
• Conduct bedside pulmonary function tests, oximetry, ETCO₂ monitoring, and sleep studies.
• Receive and initiate physician orders, including verbal orders.
• Provide detailed patient assessments and therapy recommendations.
• Administer and monitor gases like oxygen, heliox, nitric oxide, and more.
• Help manage emergencies involving gas failures or outages.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and route malfunctioning equipment.
• Build and follow individualized care plans.
• Educate patients and families, especially for discharge planning.
• Champion patient safety—report hazards, prevent risks, and empower patients to speak up.

Qualifications

Education

• Associate Degree in a related discipline.

Experience

• Must be skilled in operating hospital respiratory equipment with strong clinical knowledge.
• Bonus points for bilingual skills and 3 years of experience (but not required!).

Credentials

• BLS within 30 days
• ACLS within 1 year
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential

Physical Demands

• Lift 50–100 lbs occasionally
• Lift 25–50 lbs frequently
• Move 10–20 lbs regularly
• Possible high‑volume days or floating tasks
• Rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and on‑call duties
• Opportunities for hero moments at any time

If you’re ready to bring top‑tier respiratory care with compassion, skill, and a dash of fun, we’d love to meet you. Help us help others breathe easier—one patient at a time.