Are you a Respiratory Therapist who thrives in an upbeat "work family" like environment? Do you enjoy working alongside great teammates to provide excellent and expert CARE to your patients? If so, you might be a great fit at UPMC St. Margaret!

　　This position offers a generous sign-on bonus:

　　· If you have 0-1 year of experience you are eligible for a $12,000 sign-on bonus with a 2-year commitment

　　· If you have over 1 year of experience you are eligible for a $15,000 sign-on bonus for a 2-year commitment

　　Respiratory Therapist, CRT starting rate: $22.95

　　Respiratory Therapist, RRT starting rate: $23.77

　　Applicants will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their individual experience and education.

　　Under the general direction of a physician and by prescription, provides respiratory therapy services and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Defined responsibilities are performed in all patient populations and in all patient service areas.

　　Responsibilities:

　　Evaluate 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.

　　Observe equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results for 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 the most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications that may be needed that will be compatible with the 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 patients in performing breathing exercises.

　　Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case.

　　Consult with the physician in the event of adverse reactions.

　　Applicants will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their individual experience and education.

　　Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required OR students who have received a temporary license are permitted to begin employment with approval from the Human Resources department along with their official transcripts.

　　Basic Life Support or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation required

　　Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRTT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required prior to expiration of temporary practice permit.

　　Respiratory therapists who receive their CRT credential from the NBRC after July 1, 2002 are required to maintain certification under the NBRC requirements

　　Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

　　CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

　　Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

　　Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT)

　　Osteopathic Respiratory Care OR Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)

　　Act 33 with renewal

　　Act 34 with renewal

　　Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal