Respiratory Therapist II Mobile Medicine

Advocate Aurora Health; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health is seeking a Respiratory Care professional for MedCenter Air transport, requiring RT license, RRT certification, and Paramedic readiness. Role covers advanced airway management, ventilation, and flight-line patient care across EMS and ICU settings.

Candidates must meet CAMTS standards, maintain licenses, and possess strong clinical judgment, safety focus, and team coordination for high-stakes medical transport operations.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited school of respiratory care required.
• Current RT license or temporary license as a registered petitioner in the working and residential state.
• RRT required; BSRT preferred.
• BLS required; trauma certification and advanced cardiorespiratory certifications encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Uses clinical reasoning to conduct accurate clinical assessments and perform patient care interventions.
• Delegates elements of care to appropriate healthcare workers.
• Maintains operational knowledge for multiple transport modes (ambulances, helicopters, airplanes).
• Initiates advanced practice procedures to improve patient outcomes.
• Operates and manages airway support and ventilator settings for patients.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Delegation

Safety awareness

Communication

Education

Graduate from accredited school of respiratory care

RRT certification

BSRT preferred

BLS required

Paramedic Certification within 2 years

Trauma Certification

ACLS

PALS

NRP

S.T.A.B.L.E.

Job description

Essential Functions

• Collects data pertinent to the healthcare consumer's health or the situation.
• Uses clinical reasoning, coupled with clinical skills to conduct accurate clinical assessments and perform patient care intervention to ensure optimum patient care, safety and recovery.
• Delegates elements of care to appropriate healthcare workers.
• Utilizes appropriate resources to plan and provide services that are safe, effective, and financially responsible.
• Participates in committees, shared governance, or other facility decision making activities.
• Practices in an environmentally safe and healthy manner.
• Maintains operational knowledge for multiple modes of transportation including ambulances, helicopters and airplanes.
• Independently initiates advanced practice procedures to provide improved patient outcomes
  such as: drug assisted intubation, video laryngoscopy, needle chest decompression,
  chest tube insertion, central line placement (UA/UV, EJ), intraosseous placement,
  transvenous/transcutaneous pacing, needle cricothyroidotomy, surgical
  cricothyroidotomy,
  and initiation/titration of pharmacological agents.
• Initiates intubation procedures and sets up ventilation equipment. Operates,
  assesses, and
  manages patient airway support, ventilator settings and equipment.
• Transports and monitors patients requiring ECMO, Medical Circulatory Devices (VAD, Impella), Intra-aortic Balloon Counter Pulsation, Internal/External Pacing, Ventriculostomy, and Point of Care.

Physical Requirements

Work requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing. Must weigh less than 240 pounds and maintain weight while employed with MedCenter Air to remain on flying status. Must have intact sense of sight, hearing, smell, and touch. Finger dexterity, good motor, and eye-hand coordination. Requires good personal hygiene and appropriate conduct. Must be able to speak English clearly. Conditions of transport may vary and include exposure to extreme hot, cold and wet weather. Workspace may be confined and poorly lit. Exposure to patients with infectious diseases and biohazardous materials is possible. Good physical stamina and endurance are necessary to perform duties. Teammate must maintain fitness standards in accordance with Policy 2.210 (Fit for Duty).

Education, Experience and Certifications

Graduate from an accredited school of respiratory care required. Current RT license or temporary license as a registered petitioner in the working and residential state. RRT required, BSRT preferred. BLS required. Meets qualifications of appropriate clinical advancement requirements required. Threeyears clinical respiratory care experience in the Emergency Department and/or Intensive Care Unit required. Ability to demonstrate proficiency in advanced procedures and skills bi-annually required. Paramedic Certification required within 2 years of hire Must acquire applicable state EMT-P, SC EMT-P and National Registry. Must be maintained throughout employment. * Trauma Certification, ACLS, PALS, NRP and S.T.A.B.L.E. required upon completion of orientation and maintained. Advanced certification to include Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) or equivalent as approved required to maintain position according to standards of commission on accreditation of medical transport systems (CAMTS). Aviation training required or flight status and must meet requirements of “flight crew member” per FAA Part 135 regulations to include Night Vision Googles to ensure safe landings. Must have a valid driver's license and qualify as insurable by Advocate Health insurance for driving MedCenter Air vehicles. Must have an operational smartphone for use as communication device related to MedCenter air operations. Annual compliance in education related to specialty area and/or primary base location outside of typical practice
o Simulation lab
o Mechanical Ventilator Management/Lab
o Certified Emergency Vehicle Operations
o Air Medical Resource Management
o Night Vision Goggle
o Survival Practical
o Sleep Deprivation/Just Culture/Stress Management
o Transport Vehicle Safety Training – ambulance/helicopter/airplane
*Current teammates required to obtain paramedic certification by December 31, 2021.