Respiratory Therapist, CRT

Life in Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus $12,000 (0–1 year)

Sign-on bonus $20,000 (1+ year)

Job summary

UPMC St. Margaret is seeking a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) to join the Respiratory Therapy team. The role offers a collaborative environment with a therapist-driven protocol framework, growth opportunities, and participation in programs like COPD Navigator.

Sign-on bonuses apply based on experience with a 2-year commitment. The position involves evaluating orders, managing ventilators and delivery systems, transporting ventilated patients, treating with inhaled therapies, and

Qualifications

• Graduate of an ARC-approved Respiratory Therapist program or accepted with temporary license and HR approval.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders and interprets clinical data to optimize patient outcomes.
• Sets up and operates respiratory devices (ventilators, gas administration, humidity/temperature controls) and ensures proper therapy parameters.
• Assists to transport ventilated patients and responds to code blue situations.
• Maintains patient charts with therapy data; supervises trainees and students when involved.
• Reads prescriptions and determines appropriate therapy type, duration, and medication dosages in consultation with physicians.
• Monitors physiological responses and conducts bronchopulmonary drainage and pulmonary function testing as needed.

Skills

Ventilator management

ABG interpretation

Patient assessment

Team collaboration

Adult & pediatric care

Education

ARC-approved Respiratory Therapist program

Job description

Ready to grow your respiratory therapy career? Join the Respiratory Therapy team at UPMC St. Margaret as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)! You’ll be part of a collaborative team with strong Respiratory Service Center support, therapist-driven protocols, an expanded career ladder, and plenty of opportunities to grow. Plus, you’ll contribute to programs like our COPD Navigator Program that are making a difference for our patients.

Sign-On Bonus

• $12,000for candidates with0–1 yearof experience
• $20,000for candidates with1+ yearsof experience

Bonus amounts are subject to a 2-year work commitment.

The Respiratory Therapist, CRT is a valued step in UPMC Respiratory Career Ladder. The final candidate will be placed in the appropriate title and pay rate depending on education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders. Interprets clinical data to optimize patient clinical objectives.
• Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators. Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients. Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy. Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment functions safely and efficiently.
• Assists to transport mechanically ventilated patients. Responds to all code situations.
• Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information. *Orders repairs when needed. * Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel. * Supervises students during training.
• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication dosages. Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders.
• Monitors patient’s physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes. Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises. Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case. Consults with physician in the event of adverse reactions.

Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required OR students who have received a temporary license are permitted to begin employment with approval from the Human Resources department along with their official transcripts. Basic Life Support or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation required Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRTT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required prior to expiration of temporary practice permit. Respiratory therapists who receive their CRT credential from the NBRC after July 1, 2002 are required to maintain certification under the NBRC requirements.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT)
• Osteopathic Respiratory Care OR Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran