Respiratory Therapist, RRT - PFT Lab

UPMC; Williamsport (Lycoming County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC is seeking a dedicated Respiratory Care Professional to join the Pulmonary Function Lab in a full-time, Monday‑Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The role involves providing diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory services across patient populations, with opportunities to supervise trainees during clinical rotations. Candidates must hold CPFT/RPFT credentials or be willing to obtain them within nine months of hire, and will work under physician direction to develop treatment plans,

Qualifications

• Graduate of a CoARC-accredited Respiratory Care program (required).
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from NBRC (required).
• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license (required).
• CPFT/RPFT credentials or willingness to obtain within nine months of hire (required or willingness).
• RRT earned after July 1, 2002 must maintain NBRC certification per NBRC continuing competency requirements.

Responsibilities

• Reviews prescriptions, evaluates ABGs, and assesses patient information to determine therapy needs.
• Establishes treatment requirements including therapy type, duration, dosage, delivery method, and precautions.
• Evaluates and adjusts treatment plans to align with physician orders and patient response.
• Sets up and operates respiratory care equipment including ventilators and gas systems.
• Monitors equipment performance and adjusts to optimize outcomes.
• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage, breathing exercises, and pulmonary function testing.
• Responds to emergencies and assists with transport of ventilated patients.
• Consults with physicians regarding adverse reactions or changes in patient condition.
• Maintains accurate patient records and evaluates order appropriateness.
• Supervises students during clinical rotations as assigned.

Skills

Respiratory care

Pulmonary function testing

Ventilators operation

Emergency response

Clinical documentation

Education

CoARC-accredited Respiratory Care program

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) NBRC

Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license

Tools

Mechanical ventilators

Therapeutic gas systems

Environmental control systems

Aerosol generators

Job description

Pulmonary Function Lab – Full-Time Opportunity

We are seeking a dedicated Respiratory Care Professional to join our Pulmonary Function Lab. This is a full‑time, Monday through Friday position, scheduled 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no holiday coverage required. The successful candidate will hold CPFT/RPFT credentials or be willing to obtain them within nine months of hire.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of a physician and in accordance with prescribed treatment plans, the Respiratory Care Professional provides diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory services to patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities or deficiencies. Responsibilities span all patient populations and service areas.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Assessment & Treatment Planning

• Reviews prescriptions, evaluates arterial blood gases, and assesses patient information to determine appropriate therapy needs.
• Establishes treatment requirements including therapy type, duration, medication dosage, delivery method, and necessary precautions.
• Evaluates and adjusts treatment plans to ensure alignment with physician orders and patient response.

Clinical Care & Support

• Sets up and operates respiratory care equipment, including mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas systems, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Ensures equipment parameters meet prescribed treatment requirements (e.g., volume, gas concentration, humidity, temperature).
• Monitors equipment performance and makes necessary adjustments to optimize clinical outcomes.
• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage, instructs patients in breathing exercises, and conducts pulmonary function testing.
• Responds to all emergency/code situations and assists with the transport of mechanically ventilated patients.
• Consults with physicians regarding adverse reactions or changes in patient condition.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintains accurate and complete patient records, including identification details and therapy information.
• Evaluates appropriateness of medical orders and interprets clinical data to support patient care objectives.
• Ensures respiratory therapy equipment is functioning safely and efficiently; initiates repair requests when needed.

Education & Training

• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other healthcare team members.
• Supervises students during clinical rotations as assigned.

Education & Credentials

• Graduate of a CoARC‑accredited (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) Respiratory Care program (required).
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) (required).
  • Respiratory Therapists who earned their RRT after July 1, 2002 must maintain NBRC certification in accordance with NBRC continuing competency requirements.
• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license (required).

Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification meeting AHA standards, including both didactic and hands‑on skills evaluation (required within 30 days of hire).
• Effective November 1, 2025: Individuals practicing in New York must hold a valid NY Respiratory Therapist license and a current RRT certification.

Licensure, Background Checks & Clearance

• Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance (with renewal).
• Act 34 Criminal Background Check (with renewal).
• Act 73 FBI Fingerprinting Clearance (with renewal).

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran