What are the responsibilities and job description for the Respiratory Therapist, RRT position at UPMC?
Make Every Breath Count as a Respiratory Therapist at UPMC St. Margaret!
Join a close-knit, supportive respiratory team where your expertise is valued, your autonomy is encouraged, and the impact you make is felt every day. As a Respiratory Therapist at UPMC St. Margaret, you'll care for a diverse patient population while utilizing RT-driven protocols that empower you to practice at the top of your license. Working alongside a collaborative interdisciplinary team, you'll play a vital role in helping patients achieve their best respiratory outcomes while growing your career in an environment that prioritizes teamwork, professional development, and exceptional patient care. This full-time opportunity offers rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts with weekend and holiday responsibilities shared on a rotational basis.
Why UPMC St. Margaret? Our respiratory therapists enjoy a strong sense of teamwork, meaningful autonomy, and the opportunity to make a difference with every patient interaction. If you're looking for a department that values collaboration, supports one another, and empowers clinicians to provide outstanding care, we'd love to connect with you.
Sign-On Bonus:
We’re excited to offer a sign-on bonus to qualified candidates:
- $12,000 for candidates with 0–1 year of experience
- $20,000 for candidates with 1 years of experience
Bonus amounts are subject to a 2-year work commitment. The Respiratory Therapist is a valued step in the UPMC Respiratory career ladder, with opportunities for continued growth and advancement. Title and salary will be determined based upon education and nursing experience.
Responsibilities:
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders. Interprets clinical data to optimize patient clinical objectives.
- 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.
Salary : $1,000 - $1,000,000