Respiratory Therapist

Avera Health; Aberdeen (SD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO from day 1

5% employer matching 401(k)

Career development

Job summary

Avera Health is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to join the team at Avera St Luke's Hospital. The role covers assessment, treatment, and management of respiratory care for patients across age groups, with a rotating 12-hour shift schedule (days/evenings/nights/weekends).

You will work within a multidisciplinary team to implement care plans, manage ventilator setups, and perform diagnostic tests. A strong license, NBRC credentials, and a bachelor’s degree are preferred; retirement and PTO

Qualifications

• Active licensure in the state of practice required.
• CRT or RRT NBRC certification required upon hire.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; 1–3 years of experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patients and administers prescribed respiratory therapies and tests.
• Documents assessment, interventions, and progress in the EMR and submits charges.
• Implements and manages oxygen, aerosol therapy, airway clearance, and ventilator care.
• Maintains airway patency and assists with CPR and emergency airway care.
• Performs blood gas sampling and associated lab tests; operates Blood Gas analyzer.
• Assists in Pulmonary Rehab and may schedule sleep studies when applicable.
• Performs diagnostic tests including ECG, oximetry, and sleep monitoring.
• Trains clinical staff on respiratory therapy equipment and EKG tools.
• Contributes to policy updates, QA reporting, and equipment maintenance.

Skills

Respiratory care

Patient assessment

Team collaboration

Education

Licensure in state

CRT NBRC certification

RRT NBRC certification

Tools

Blood Gas Analyzer

Ventilator Management

Pulmonary function equipment

Job description

Pay Range

The pay range for this position is listed below. Actual pay rate dependent upon experience.

$28.00 - $42.00

Location

Avera St Luke's Hospital

Worker Type

Regular

Work Shift

Rotating days/evenings/nights/weekends (United States of America)

Position Highlights

Rotating 12 hour schedule: 6:00am-6:30pm and 6:00pm-6:30am

You Belong at Avera

Be part of a multidisciplinary team built with compassion and the goal of Moving Health Forward for you and our patients. Work where you matter.

A Brief Overview

Responsible for the assessment, treatment, and management, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions affecting the cardiopulmonary system for neonates, pediatrics, adolescents, and adults. The individual must demonstrate proficiency in all modalities of respiratory care, which may include, but not limited to oxygen therapy, breathing treatments, airway clearance, blood gases, airway management, non-invasive and invasive ventilator setup and monitoring. This position may also be required to work in the sleep lab.

What you will do

• Evaluates patients in order to receive, review, interpret, and administer the prescribing orders regarding respiratory and cardiopulmonary treatments and tests. Accurately documents patient assessment, interventions, and progress in the electronic medical record, as well as submits charges in an accurate and timely manner.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care. Initiates and implements respiratory care plans and interventions to meet the needs of the patient in conjunction with the entire healthcare team to ensure full understanding and cooperation to improve patient outcomes.
• Performs administration, set-up, titration, maintenance, evaluations and documentation of supplemental oxygen, aerosol therapy, airway clearance techniques, mechanical invasive or non-invasive ventilator management, and preparation and administration of respiratory medications.
• Ensures airway patency including various means of suctioning. (tracheal, nasal, and oral). Attends and assists to patients in respiratory or cardiac arrest by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency airway care.
• Performs arterial and capillary punctures, runs venous, arterial and capillary blood gas samples, electrolytes and lactic acid tests and maintains and operates the Blood Gas analyzer.
• May assist in Pulmonary Rehab by providing appropriate exercises and education to participants.
• May assist in outpatient clinic as needed and may schedule sleep studies and obtains prior authorizations for the sleep studies when applicable.
• Performs diagnostic testing through pulmonary function, stress exercise, electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, oximetry, holter and cardiac event monitoring.
• Instructs clinical staff on the use of respiratory therapy equipment and the use of the EKG equipment.
• Assists with implementing and updating policies and procedures, maintenance of quality assurance reports and records, and maintenance of equipment and ordering of supplies.

Essential Qualifications

The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.

Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience

• Respiratory Therapist - Licensing Board An active license in the state of practice Upon Hire and
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Upon Hire or
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Upon Hire

Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience

• Bachelor's
• 1-3 years

Expectations and Standards

• Commitment to the daily application of Avera's mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.
• Promote Avera's values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
• Uphold Avera's standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
• Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.

Benefits You Need & Then Some

Avera is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying part-time and full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.

• PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
• Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement
• Career development guided by hands-on training and mentorship

Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to [e-mail].