Respiratory Therapist III

Tucson Medical Center; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Respiratory Therapist II to provide advanced respiratory care across the hospital, including ED and ICUs, under physician orders.

You will initiate and manage ventilation, perform ABGs and diagnostic tests, mentor staff, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient care in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Respiratory Care from a CoARC program.
• Minimum 1 year experience delivering advanced respiratory care to neonate, pediatric and adult patients.
• RRT credential NBRC with current AZ license; BLS required; ACLS/PALS required; NPR preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver advanced respiratory care and life support across patient populations.
• Initiate and manage mechanical ventilation.
• Respond to airway emergencies, codes and rapid response events.
• Document data in the medical record before, during and after interventions.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and allied health staff.
• Mentor and train junior staff.

Skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Ventilator management

Critical care

Assessment and patient monitoring

Education to patients/families

Education

Associate degree in Respiratory Care

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR) proficiency

Job description

TMC HealthCare

TMC HealthCare is Southern Arizona's regional nonprofit hospital system with Tucson Medical Center at its core. Each day staff comes to work to use their skills and expertise to improve the health of the entire community, from birth to the end of life.

$10,000.00 Sign on available with 2+ years of experience!

Tucson Medical Center (TMC) – Tucson, AZ

Join a team where respiratory therapists practice at the top of their license across the entire hospital.

About Tucson Medical Center

Tucson Medical Center is a locally governed, nonprofit regional hospital with 600+ beds, serving Southern Arizona for more than 80 years.

We are known as a leading provider for emergency and pediatric care, with ICUs for adults, children, and newborns, and comprehensive specialty services including cardiovascular, neuroscience, orthopedics, women’s and maternity care, and more.

Our campus supports full-spectrum care, from birth through end of life, and our culture centers around compassionate, patient-first care and strong interdisciplinary collaboration.

Why This RT Role is Different

At TMC, our respiratory therapists don’t work in silos.

You will care for patients across the entire facility, including:

• Adult & Pediatric floors
• Emergency Department
• Adult & Pediatric ICUs

Level III NICU (41-bed unit)

You’ll have exposure to:

• High-acuity ventilator management
• Airway and rapid response events across the hospital
• Neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations
• Interdisciplinary rounds and clinical decision-making

You’ll also have opportunities to grow into:

• Neonatal transport team participation
• Outpatient pulmonary function & sleep testing

What You’ll Do

• Deliver advanced respiratory care and life support across all patient populations
• Initiate and manage mechanical ventilation
• Respond to airway emergencies, codes, and rapid response events
• Perform ABGs, diagnostic testing, and therapeutic interventions
• Collaborate closely with physicians, nursing, and interdisciplinary teams
• Educate patients and families on disease management

Mentor and support new RT staff

SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Respiratory Care Services Medical Director and Department Manager, the Respiratory Therapist II is responsible for providing respiratory care in accordance with physician orders, department policy and therapist driven protocols. The Respiratory Therapist II will assess, evaluate and administer respiratory care and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system in adult/pediatric general floor, adult/pediatric/neonatal intensive care, adult/pediatric emergency department, and all other care areas in the hospital. The Respiratory Therapist II will also complete preceptor training and work under the direction of the department educator to train and mentor new and existing staff members.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Associate degree from a CoARC accredited Respiratory Care Program required. Additional relevant experience may substitute for lack of education upon Supervisory and HR approval.

EXPERIENCE: One (1) years of experience delivering advanced respiratory care services to neonate, pediatric and adult patient populations.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and current Arizona License to Practice Respiratory Care required. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required. Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications are required for TMCH and Rincon hospitals. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NPR) preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Coordinate and manage respiratory care to ensure that patient’s needs are met and hospital policy is followed

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the differences in technique and treatment modalities as performed on all age-specific groups including neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient populations

Document all pertinent data in the medical record before, during and after patient interventions

Maintain a thorough knowledge of electronic health record, departmental forms, flow charts, logbooks and their proper usage

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of various methods of oxygen delivery, oxygen concentrations and flows for all age-specific groups including neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient populations

Administer inhaled medications through a variety of modalities and evaluate patient response to therapy

Perform arterial blood gas puncture, analysis and interpretation on neonate, pediatric and adult patients

Respond to airway emergencies, rapid response and cardiac arrest calls in all areas of the hospital

Initiate and manage mechanical ventilation along with associated critical care duties for all age-specific groups including neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient populations

Assist in bedside therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures in the pediatric and adult intensive care units

Manage, operate, clean and test equipment safely and correctly as outlined in hospital policy.

Administer skin test antigens and measure response.

Develop a plan of care and provide education on disease management to pediatric and adult patients and their families.

Participate in daily interdisciplinary patient rounds with physicians, registered nurses, and allied health professionals.

Attend department meetings, huddles, and education opportunities to maintain professional competency.

Participate in performance and process improvement activities and provide feedback.

Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies pertaining to safety, confidentiality, and standard of care.

Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Function as a highly skilled member of an interdisciplinary team with the common goal of providing exceptional care to all TMCH patients.
• Knowledge of evidenced-based practices used to assess, evaluate, and treat patients with various disorders of the cardiopulmonary system.
• Perform all basic modalities of respiratory therapy to adults and pediatric patients as prescribed by physicians and/or other authorized personnel within the scope and guidelines established by department/hospital policies and procedure.
• Perform critical/advanced respiratory therapy interventions in the emergency department and adult intensive care units.
• Initiate and manage mechanical ventilation on adult patient population in collaboration with physicians and/or other authorized personnel within the scope and guidelines established by department/hospital policies and procedure.
• Perform diagnostic respiratory therapy procedures such as arterial blood gas puncture/analysis, bedside pulmonary function testing (PFT), peak expiratory flow maneuvers, and EtCO2 monitoring.