Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

SSM Health; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus of $20,000

Paid parental leave

Flexible payment through DailyPay

Upfront tuition coverage

Job summary

SSM Health is looking for a Registered Respiratory Therapist at Saint Louis University Hospital. This full-time role involves conducting respiratory diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as part of a critical care team.

Responsibilities include patient assessments, therapeutic maneuver implementations, and ensuring a safe environment while delivering excellent service quality. Ideal candidates should have strong knowledge of respiratory care procedures and demonstrate leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Registered with the National Board for Respiratory Care and licensed in Missouri within six months of hire.
• Ability to work in intensive care and perform tasks requiring lift and ergonomic competency.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a culture of safety with professional interactions.
• Implement and manage oxygen and therapeutic gas delivery.
• Perform diagnostic procedures and assess patients pre‑ and post‑therapy.

Skills

Strong knowledge of respiratory therapy equipment and procedures

Desirable leadership skills demonstrated

Education

Graduate of an AMA-approved school of Respiratory Therapy

Job description

Job Overview

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital – a Level 1 Time‑Critical Diagnosis center in Stroke, Trauma and STEMI.

Employment Type

Regular, full‑time employee (36 hours per week, 3×12‑hour shifts).

Compensation and Benefits

Sign‑on bonus of $20,000 for new external candidates. Shift differentials available for weekends and additional shifts.

• Paid parental leave – one week for newborns or newly adopted children (pro‑rated on FTE).
• Flexible payment through DailyPay – instant access to earned base pay (fees may apply).
• Upfront tuition coverage via FlexPath Funded for eligible team members.

Schedule

36 hours per week – 3 × 12‑hour shifts. Shift differentials for weekends and additional shifts.

Job Summary

The respiratory therapist performs all respiratory diagnostic and therapeutic procedures provided by the Department of Respiratory Care. They are expected to be energetic, motivated, and supportive of a growing service, and to seek supervisory guidance when unsure.

Key Responsibilities

1. Build and maintain a culture of safety by demonstrating professional and respectful interactions with coworkers.
2. Perform all respiratory-related therapeutic and diagnostic maneuvers in accordance with department policies and procedures.
3. Implement, assess, and manage oxygen and therapeutic gas delivery; set up and monitor ventilators; provide aerosolized medication, CPT & IPV, and CPR.
4. Perform diagnostic procedures such as arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, and nitric oxide pulmonary hypertension studies.
5. Assess and reassess patients pre‑ and post‑therapy: vital signs, breath sounds, physician orders, tolerance, oxygen requirements, sputum characteristics, and other observations as needed.
6. Respond to critical areas (ER, OR, code), routine life‑support unit checks, bronchoscopy assistance, tracheotomy care, pulmonary function studies, lab data interpretation, and contribute to patient‑care decisions via physician consults.
7. Attend departmental and specialty meetings; communicate with physicians regarding therapy orders and goals; maintain accurate records and work areas.
8. Practice safety and infection control: universal precautions, safe environment, clutter‑free workspace, risk‑management reporting, and completion of mandatory annual requirements (safety/fire, blood‑borne pathogens, hazardous communication, TB, BLS/ALS).
9. Deliver service excellence: explain therapy, be courteous and respectful, respect patient rights, and maintain confidentiality.
10. Participate in quality improvement: collect data for reporting, complete timely paperwork, review charting for errors, and report quality issues to management.
11. Provide age‑appropriate care for infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients as appropriate.
12. Specialized care for high‑risk patients: restraint care, pain management (assess pain, incorporate cultural beliefs, use non‑pharmacologic methods), and abuse assessment.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an AMA‑approved school of Respiratory Therapy (preferred).
• Registered with the National Board for Respiratory Care and licensed in Missouri within six months of hire.
• Desirable leadership skills demonstrated.
• Strong knowledge of respiratory therapy equipment and procedures.
• Ability to work in intensive care, code response, and perform tasks requiring lift, transfer, and ergonomic competency.

Work Conditions

May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases, hazardous anesthetic agents, blood‑borne pathogens, chemicals (isopropyl alcohol, aerosols, cleaning solutions), electrical hazards, and unexpected situations. Regularly requires standing, walking, lifting moderate weights (up to 50 lb), and operating in high‑pressure environments.

Protective Equipment

• Eye protection
• Gowns, lab coat, mask
• Gloves (sterile and non‑sterile)
• Lead aprons

Employment Locations

Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin.

EEO Statement

SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Click here to learn more: https://www.ssmhealth.com/privacy-notices-terms-of-use/non-discrimination?_ga=2.205881493.704955970.1667719643