Registered Respiratory Therapist (FT - Nights)

Kindred; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kindred Hospital St. Louis South seeks a Respiratory Therapist to provide safe, competent care across departments. You will monitor ventilation, perform ABG sampling, and support patient assessment and education as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The role requires adherence to respiratory care policies, accurate documentation, and ongoing training. A licensed RT with BLS/ACLS and 1+ years of related experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Postsecondary certificate or diploma from an accredited respiratory therapy program.
• Associate's degree in respiratory therapy also acceptable.
• Active RT licensure in the state of practice is required; CPR/BLS is required at hire.

Responsibilities

• Deliver respiratory care procedures across hospital settings per policies.
• Document and maintain accurate charge capture for respiratory care.
• Verify and initiate physician orders for respiratory care.
• Manage oxygen delivery, ventilation devices, and airway support as required.
• Assist with bronchoscopy and weaning assessments per protocol.
• Educate patients and families; participate in rounds and handoffs.

Skills

Emergency response

Communication

Team collaboration

English fluency

Education

Postsecondary RT program certificate/diploma

Associate's degree in RT

Job description

Description

Kindred Hospital St. Louis South is a 38-bed long-term acute care hospital, offering the same in-depth care you would receive in a traditional hospital, but for an extended recovery period; which includes a four-bed high observation unit for patients who need extra attention. We partner with your physician and offer 24-hour clinical care 7 days a week so you can start your journey to wellness anytime. Located near I-270/Tesson Ferry Rd, we are a short drive from nearby shops and restaurants.

Job Summary

Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.

Essential Functions

• Competent delivery of Respiratory Care procedures in all areas of the hospital as outlined in the Respiratory Care policies, procedures and protocols.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture of all Respiratory Care procedures. Develop, document and maintain respiratory care elements of the patient plan of care.
• Verify and initiate all physician orders for Respiratory Care.
• Demonstrate competency and working knowledge of all Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting, problem resolution and proper disinfection/sterilization.
• Initiate, monitor and maintain oxygen/aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.
• Perform effective airway management including oral/nasal airway placement, bag/mask ventilation, intubation and/or intubation assistance, emergent and scheduled tracheostomy tube changes. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways. Initiate and perform "CPR".
• Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube and oral care.
• Implement one way speaking valve trials per physician order.
• Assist physician with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
• Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments with appropriate interventions and documentation.
• Perform and document timely Spontaneous Breathing Trial assessments for weaning readiness. Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning per protocol.
• Actively participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program
• Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
• Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis.
• Perform and document ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance as required.
• Perform and document patient and family teaching/education.
• Provide and receive accurate and complete patient handoff reports.
• Participate in department/hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
• Notify immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
• Provide timely and accurate updates to healthcare team members and make recommendations for modification to patient therapy as clinically indicated.
• Assist in orientation and training of new employees/ students, and precept new employees during orientation.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Utilize appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting with all healthcare team members, patients, and their families.
• Understands principles of lifespan growth and development with the ability to provide care appropriate for the adult and geriatric patient population.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Must read, write and speak fluent English.
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Postsecondary (Cert/Diploma/Program Grad) from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required) Or
• Associate's Degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required)

Licenses/Certifications

• RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or comparable certification in the state of practice Upon Hire (Required) And
• CRT - Certified Radiologic Technologist or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential Upon Hire (Preferred) And
• BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required) And
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required)

Experience

• 1+ years related experience (Preferred)