Registered Respiratory Therapist - NICU

Northside Hospital; Lawrenceville (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Northside Hospital in Georgia is seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist to provide comprehensive respiratory care across adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations, including ICU settings. The role emphasizes autonomous patient management, adherence to guidelines, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities include arterial blood gas interpretation, ventilator management, and CPR as needed, with a strong focus on safety, equipment readiness, and patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited respiratory care program.
• Licensed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board.
• BCLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications from the American Heart Association.
• Bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates competency in clinical practice and manages complex patients.
• Provides safe, competent patient care per current respiratory care guidelines.
• Assesses patient respiratory status and recommends therapies using clinical data.
• Performs arterial punctures and interprets ABG results.
• Sets up, operates, and maintains ventilators and transports ventilated patients.
• Initiates and maintains CPR as needed.
• Maintains equipment and reports malfunctions per policy.

Skills

Clinical practice

Team communication

ABG interpretation

Ventilator setup/maintenance

CPR initiation

Tracheostomy care

Respiratory status assessment

Safety procedures

Education

Accredited respiratory care program

Bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy

Job description

Northside Hospital is award-winning, state-of-the-art, and continually growing. Constantly expanding the quality and reach of our care to our patients and communities creates even more opportunity for the best healthcare professionals in Atlanta and beyond. Discover all the possibilities of a career at Northside today.

The Registered Respiratory Therapist at Northside Hospital independently provides various respiratory therapy treatments and procedures in accordance with physician orders and established guidelines, and in accordance with the scope of practice as defined by the Georgia Composite Medical Boad.

The Northside Hospital Registered Respiratory Therapist manages care for an assigned group of patients including adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, and adult or neonatal intensive care area with completed competency in accordance with the philosophy and policies of Northside Hospital.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All Registered Respiratory Therapist III's will perform some or all of the patient care and/or administrative duties listed:

1. Demonstrates competency in clinical practice; self-directed in goal setting in management of complex patients; is skilled at adapting care to rapidly changing patient conditions.


2. Provides safe, competent patient care; is knowledgeable of current respiratory care guidelines; communicates with peers, colleagues, providers and others.


3. Assesses patient’s respiratory condition to determine status and treatment needs in accordance with Respiratory Care Protocols. Recommends and/or implements appropriate therapies as required by incorporating relevant clinical information including vital signs, chest X-rays, and laboratory values.


4. Interviews patients and family members for information related to patient care.


5. Maintains appropriate levels of functional equipment for departmental use.


6. Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Immediately reports any mechanical or electrical equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, or employee/patient/visitor injury‑accident to manager.


7. Performs arterial punctures and interprets blood gas analysis


8. Obtains arterial blood samples from indwelling arterial lines.


9. Performs pulse oximeter checks to evaluate respiratory status.


10. Delivers various types of treatments, including oxygen, aerosol, positive pressure breathing, and chest physiotherapy.


11. Delivers tracheostomy care, including suctioning and tube changes.


12. Initiates and maintains Cardio‑Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as needed.


13. Sets‑up, operates, and maintains ventilators. Transports patients connected to ventilators.


14. Performs non‑invasive oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring, and analyzes data to assess patient status.


15. Maintenance of patient airways and bronchopulmonary hygiene.

REQUIRED

1. Must be a graduate of an accredited respiratory care program.


2. Licensed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from Georgia Composite Medical Board in good standing without limitations.


3. Certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) by the American Heart Association.


4. Certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) by the American Heart Association.


5. Certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) by the American Heart Association.

PREFERRED

1. Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy


2. Two (2) years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)


3. Certified in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)