Respiratory Therapist, CRT

We’re looking for compassionate Respiratory Therapists to join our collaborative, patient-centered healthcare team!

In this role, you’ll provide essential respiratory care across general inpatient floors and occasionally in the ER, helping patients with cardiopulmonary conditions breathe easier and recover faster. We offer flexible scheduling with 4-, 8-, and 12-hour shifts starting at 6:30 AM, 2:30 PM, or 10:30 PM. Candidates should be able to commit to an average of 8 hours per week, including one weekend per month and two holidays per year. No floating or travel is required.

The Respiratory Therapist is a valued step in UPMC Respiratory Career Ladder. The final candidate will be placed in the appropriate title and pay rate depending on education and experience."

Responsibilities:

• Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders. Interprets clinical data to optimize patient clinical objectives.
• Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators. Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients. Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy. Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment functions safely and efficiently.
• Assists to transport mechanically ventilated patients. Responds to all code situations.
• Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information. *Orders repairs when needed. * Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel. * Supervises students during training.
• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication dosages. Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders.
• Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes. Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises. Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case. Consults with physician in the event of adverse reactions.