Registered Respiratory Therapist II

MUSC Children's Health; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 58,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

MUSC Children's Health seeks a Respiratory Therapist II to provide professional care for critically ill children during transport, collaborating with sending and receiving teams. The role emphasizes leadership, safety, and advanced neonatal skills in a high-stress flight/transport environment.

The position involves 24-hour or 12-hour rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, with complex clinical duties, ongoing education, and compliance with facility standards.

Qualifications

• Licensed respiratory therapist with pediatric critical care experience.
• 5+ years in NICU/PICU/PCICU or similar field required.
• Maintain BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP; complete trauma course within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• 40% Patient assessment and care of pediatric patients in transport.
• 20% Diagnostic testing including ABG analysis and ventilator checks.
• 30% Emergency and critical care, including airway management and transport.
• 10% Education and training for nursing staff and partners.

Skills

Pediatric critical care

Leadership

Communication

Education

Licensed respiratory therapist

Tools

Ventilators

Neonatal airway equipment

Job description

Job Description Summary

Provide total clinical care for critically ill children during transportation. Communicating and coordinating care with multidisciplinary team members from sending and receiving facilities. Under medical control supervision, the Respiratory Therapist II provides individualized, goal-directed patient care to families and patients at a competent level utilizing the principles and practices of the nursing process; delivers safe and effective care and interacts with other members of the health care team to achieve desired results.

Scheduled Work Hours/Shift: Rotating – 24hr or 12 Hour Shifts, including nights and weekends.

Entity Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type Employee

Worker Sub-Type Regular

Cost Center CC000516 CHS - Meducare Flight Activities Fund (SJCH)

Pay Rate Type Hourly

Pay Grade Health-28

Scheduled Weekly Hours 40

Work Shift Rotating (United States of America)

Job Description

Job Description Provides professional care for patients in the clinical setting. Provides leadership to nursing staff members and collaborates with other members of the health care team to assure quality care for the patients. Promotes, plans, directs, and implements medical management and safe transportation for critically ill/injured neonates, infants or children, in consultation with the attending physician. Maintain standards of professional practice. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates delivery of care in accordance with the medical plan of care, practice standards, care standards, and policy and procedures to achieve optimum patient outcomes for patients of all ages. Collaborates with other transport team members to ensure the safety of all transport operations. Provides rapid assessment, emergency measures and transportation for the critically ill/injured patient, utilizing the latest technique and state-of-the-art equipment. Acquires and maintains advanced neonatal skills such as intubation, ventilation, insertion of UAC/UVC’s, and chest needle aspirations. Maintains all required certifications, licenses, and continuing education. Organizes, prioritizes, directs, supervises and evaluates nursing care delivered by various levels of staff both in hospital and on transport. Participates in providing outreach education. Maintains pediatric transport quality data. Functions as patient advocate, protector of patient rights and provider of psychosocial support. Frequent direct contact and communication within and outside the MUSC with patients, families, physicians, nurses, EMS personnel, aviation personnel, administrators, and the public. Some communication and coordination with community agencies. Transport work is performed under high tension and sometimes adverse conditions due to the critical nature and location of the patients. Moderate physical effort is required for frequent moving and lifting of transport equipment. Requires substantial walking and standing. Frequently uses mechanical devices. High risk of danger involved in working in and around an aircraft and on an ambulance. Physical requirements include weight restrictions, good general health, and high tolerance to stress.

Additional Job Description

Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations Licensed respiratory therapist license with a minimum of 5 years of pediatric critical experience in NICU, PICU, PCICU or similar relevant field. If selected, candidate must maintain current BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP and complete an advanced trauma course (ex: PATC or TNCC) within 1 year of orientation.

Physical And Mental Requirements

NOTE: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: 1) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift; 2) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift; 3) Infrequent – 0-2 hours per shift. Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Continuous) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Frequent) Ability to perform "pinching" operations. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to reach overhead. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent) Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (Frequent) Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that can not assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force. For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker. 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet. 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand. Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (Continuous) Ability to work rotating shifts. (Frequent) Ability to work overtime as required. (Frequent) Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) (Selected Positions) *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) *(Selected Positions) *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (Continuous) (Selected Positions)

Job Responsibilities

40% Patient Assessment and Care

Success Criteria:

• Conduct thorough assessments of patients' respiratory conditions through physical examinations and diagnostic tests.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on patient assessments and physician directives.
• Administer respiratory therapies, including oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, chest physiotherapy, and mechanical ventilation.
• Monitor and adjust ventilator settings and other respiratory support devices as needed.

20% Diagnostic Testing

Success Criteria:

• Perform pulmonary function tests to assess lung capacity and efficiency when clinically appropriate
• Conduct arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis to evaluate oxygenation and acid-based balance.
• Utilize advanced diagnostic equipment to identify and monitor respiratory disorders.

30% Emergency and Critical Care

Success Criteria:

• Provide respiratory support in emergency situations, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced airway management.
• Participate in the care of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and during transport, ensuring optimal respiratory function and support.
• Assist in the transport of critically ill patients, maintaining stability during transfers, to include high frequency ventilation and nitric administration when clinically indicated

10% Education and Training

Success Criteria:

• Provide training and support to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals on respiratory care practices and procedures.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in respiratory care through continuing education and professional development.
• Compliance and Safety
• Adhere to all MUHA policies and procedures, as well as state and federal regulations related to respiratory care.
• Follow infection control protocols to maintain a safe and hygienic environment for patients and staff.
• Ensure proper maintenance and calibration of respiratory equipment.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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