Respiratory Therapist - PRN

Medstar Health; Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 49,152 - 89,144; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health in Lanham, MD is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to provide care across patient populations. PRN shifts include days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Ideal candidates hold an associate degree in respiratory care, CRT certification, Maryland RCP licensure, and CPR certification within 90 days. 0–3 years of acute care experience is preferred. Knowledge of respiratory equipment and patient assessment is essential.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s degree (AAS) or higher in respiratory care.
• Experience: 0–3 years of acute care experience.
• Licenses/certifications: CRT required; RRT preferred; RCP MD licensed in Maryland required; CPR within 90 days.
• Registry eligible required.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care per physician orders according to standards and protocols.
• Perform respiratory therapy treatments and services including oxygen, humidity, ventilators (invasive and non-invasive), bronchodilation, and spirometry testing.
• Review patient records and orders; document care provided during shift.
• Assist in resuscitation and airway management when needed; respond to emergencies.
• Ensure safety and quality by adhering to policies and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Calm under pressure

Education

Associate degree or higher (AAS)

Tools

Respiratory care equipment

Job description

About this Job

General Summary of Position: Possesses and demonstrates adequate knowledge to provide respiratory care to all patient populations with technique appropriate to chronological, social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Respiratory care delivered is ordered by physician according to established standards practice and protocols. Various PRN Shifts available – Day, Nights, Weekends, Holidays.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards and safety standards.
• Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
• Assesses the physical, psychosocial, spiritual and cultural dimensions of the patient as well as educational needs and appropriately documents.
• Performs all respiratory therapy treatments and services including but not limited to application, operation, monitoring and management of all equipment and services provided.
• Service to include but not limited to oxygen, mixed gas and humidity; monitoring; ventilators (invasive and non‑invasive); bronchial hygiene; lung expansion; spirometry testing; EKG machines; blood gas analysis.
• Employs principles of therapeutic communication, interviewing techniques, problem solving and crisis intervention when performing patient care.
• Reviews electronic medical records and physician orders throughout the work shift.
• Responds, performs and participates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by maintaining the airway, providing oxygen and ventilation via mask, endotracheal tube or other devices and performs closed‑chest cardiac massage.
• Facilitates workflow efficiency, monitoring interdepartmental systems and processes, departmental policies and procedures, and making recommendations for improvements as needed.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to the position and area.

The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and is not to be considered as all inclusive.

Minimal Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s degree (AAS) or higher from an AMA accredited program in respiratory care required; Bachelor’s degree in a related healthcare field preferred.
• Experience: 0–3 years of acute care experience required.
• Registry eligible required.
• Licenses and Certifications: CRT – Certified Respiratory Therapist by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NRBC) required; RRT – Registered Respiratory Therapist by the NRBC preferred; RCP – Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in Maryland required; CPR – Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 days required. Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit. ACLS, NRP, PALS and other certifications are required within a year where required.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of human respiratory anatomy, physiology and pathology as it relates to respiratory care; Knowledge of the operation of respiratory care equipment and its application in a clinical setting; Ability to assess hazardous conditions related to respiratory care and take corrective action; Ability to remain calm and function under stressful conditions; Must work well as a team member; Must be articulate and communicate well with all types of people.
• Salary range: USD $35.68 – $64.71 / hour.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Working knowledge of human respiratory anatomy, physiology and pathology as related to respiratory care. Knowledge of the operation of respiratory care equipment and its application in a clinical setting. Ability to assess hazardous conditions related to respiratory care and take corrective action. Ability to remain calm and function under stressful conditions. Must work well as a team member; must be articulate and communicate well with all types of people.