Respiratory Therapist

CommonSpirit Health; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to join an experienced team delivering advanced cardiopulmonary care. You will manage breathing therapies, ventilator care, and oxygen delivery while coordinating with physicians to optimize patient outcomes.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate urgency, calm under pressure, and strong problem-solving abilities, with a focus on patient well-being and safety across routine and emergent situations.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program.
• CRT certification by NBRC and target to obtain RRT within 1 year of hire.
• Active license in NE and/or IA as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• BLS through AHA required.
• ACLS within 3 months, PALS within 6 months, NRP within 9 months.

Responsibilities

• Performs basic respiratory care and develops plans for delivery of Respiratory Therapy as directed by physicians or protocols and implements in a timely manner.
• Administers and monitors mechanical ventilation, physiological monitoring, and diagnostic procedures.
• Performs assessment of the patient and determines therapy modality, frequency, and duration; communicates data to the physician and makes recommendations for changes.
• Authorized to make entries in the medical record; observes responses to therapy and reports adverse reactions.
• Provides instruction to patients, family, staff, and students about Respiratory Therapy procedures and equipment; referrals for Home Care as needed.
• Assumes charge person responsibilities in supervisor's absence and assigns workload.

Skills

Critical thinking

Calm under pressure

Problem solving

Patient care

Education

Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy

NBRC CRT certification

RRT within 1 year of hire

Nebraska/Iowa license as Respiratory Care Practitioner

BLS (AHA)

ACLS within 3 months

PALS within 6 months

NRP within 9 months

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Respiratory Therapist, you will join an established team of RRTs who share your passion for delivering highly specialized cardiopulmonary care to patients experiencing breathing issues. You'll be instrumental in providing a range of treatments from breathing techniques and nebulizer treatments to ventilator management, oxygen therapies, and external ventilation support.

Every day you will apply your keen assessment skills and critical thinking to manage diverse patient needs, develop and execute effective care plans, and ensure calm, focused intervention in both routine and emergent situations.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate a strong sense of urgency, unwavering calm under pressure, and the ability to anticipate outcomes. Your dedication to patient well-being and exceptional problem-solving abilities will drive success in this vital role.

• Performs basic respiratory care and develops plans for the delivery of Respiratory Therapy as directed by physicians or protocols and implements in a timely manner. Promotes a positive quality work environment in the provision of quality patient care.


• In accordance with established policies, administers and monitors critical care procedures such as mechanical ventilation, physiological monitoring, and diagnostic procedures.


• Performs assessment of the patient, determining needs related to therapy modality, frequency, and duration of the treatment regime ordered by the MD based on patient’s age, cognitive and physician abilities, and/or developmental needs. Is responsible for the communication to the physician of pertinent patient evaluation data. Makes recommendations for changes in specific modes of therapy.


• Authorized to make entries in the medical record, consistent with and limited to the scope of the job duties and any applicable licensure. Observes the response of the patients to therapy, evaluated and records in the patient’s medical record. Immediately reports adverse reactions.


• Provides instruction to patients, family, staff, and students about theory, therapy, and equipment used in Respiratory Therapy procedures and techniques, and documents such as required. Provides instruction and referral for Home Care patients and their families/care givers using language and materials appropriate for age, cognitive, and physical abilities, and/or developmental needs.


• Assumes charge person responsibilities in the supervisor’s absence. Assigns work load, based on staff’s level of competency.

Job Requirements

Required:

• Associates Degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited Respiratory program


• Certified CRT by NBRC and obtain RRT within 1 year upon hire


• Active license in the state of Nebraska and/or Iowa as a Respiratory Care Practitioner


• BLS through AHA required


• ACLS certification within 3 months of hire, PALS within 6 months, and NRP within 9 months

Where You'll Work

At CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs, patients are at the heart of our care. Our campus is designed to heal the body, mind and spirit of every person in a more comfortable, less stressful hospital environment. Our full range of medical services include a new pavilion featuring enhancements in heart and vascular care, surgery, maternity, cancer care, and diagnostic imaging.