Respiratory Therapist - Adult

Duke PF; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commitment bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Duke University Health System is seeking a Respiratory Care Practitioner to perform diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures for neonatal and pediatric patients under physician orders. The role emphasizes safe equipment use, infection control, and education for patients and staff.

Qualifications include an AMA‑approved two‑year respiratory care program with NC licensure and NBRC certification; prior pediatric/neonatal experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Completion of AMA 2 approved respiratory care program (Associates Degree).
• Maintain annual skill maintenance, safety/compliance and NC CEU license requirements.
• North Carolina state licensure or provisional license with NBRC certification (RCP).

Responsibilities

• Administer oxygen and aerosolized meds using IPPB, IAT, MDI, and incentive devices.
• Perform suctioning, CPR, bag‑mask ventilation, pulse oximetry, ABG punctures, bedside pulmonary mechanics.
• Conduct diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures, pulmonary function tests, EKGs, and cardiac monitoring.
• Ensure correct setup, safety, and function of equipment and supplies.
• Adhere to infectious disease standards in patient care delivery.
• Understand pharmacological indications, dosages, and ADRs.
• Educate patients, families, physicians, and health care staff.
• Perform related duties incidental to the work described.

Skills

Patient interaction

Communication skills

Clinical decision making

Safety/compliance

Education & training

Education

AMA 2 approved Associates Degree (RCP)

AMA approved two-year respiratory care program

Job description

Commitment Bonus & Relocation Assistance

Commitment Bonus: $20,000 (eligible if qualified)

Relocation Assistance: up to $8,000 (eligible if qualified)

Job Description

Perform diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures as defined in the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice. Work performed in accordance with physician orders. Defined duties are performed in neonatal and pediatric patient populations.

Duties and responsibilities

• Administer oxygen, aerosolized medication via Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB), Intermittent Aerosol Therapy (IAT), Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) and incentive breathing devices.
• Perform nasotracheal and artificial airway suctioning, CPR and bag‑mask ventilation, pulse oximetry monitoring, arterial blood gas punctures and bedside pulmonary mechanics.
• Diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures, pulmonary function studies, EKGs and cardiac monitoring.
• Assure correct set‑up, safety and function of all equipment/supplies necessary in providing patient care.
• Assure adherence to all infectious disease standards in delivery of all patient care procedures.
• Understand pharmacological indications, dosages and response to adverse drug reactions.
• Provide education to patients, families, physicians, nursing and other members of the health care team.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• RCP: Completion of AMA 2 approved year Associates Degree, or equivalent.
• RCP Advanced: Completion of a 2 year AMA approved respiratory care program (Associate's Degree or equivalent), maintain annual skill maintenance, safety/compliance and North Carolina CEU license requirements.

Experience

• RCP: None required.
• RCP Advanced: Six months to one year of clinical experience following graduation from a respiratory care program.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• RCP: North Carolina State Licensure or Provisional License, certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). If CRT, must obtain RRT within 6 months of employment. Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and other applicable certifications.
• RCP Advanced: North Carolina State Licensure, Registry (RRT) by the NBRC, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Resuscitation (NRPS) if applicable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge necessary to make appropriate clinical decisions and interactions relative to the specific age of a patient.
• Skills validation/certifications of competencies for the duties and responsibilities of this level.
• Must maintain annual skill and safety/compliance requirements.
• Must maintain North Carolina annual license CEU requirements.
• Customer service and communication expertise.
• Work involves contact with patients of all ages, family members, physicians, nursing and other health care team members.
• Work is performed in all areas of the hospital.
• Required to carry emergency airway bag weighing approximately 20 pounds.
• Work requires walking, running, climbing and bending.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.