Respiratory Therapist

What you can Expect

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Incentives and Total Rewards:

• Relocation Assistance: Up to $8,000 for eligible applicants
• Commitment bonus: Up to $20,000 for eligible applicants
• Total Rewards: A comprehensive set of pay and benefits designed to support your well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance. 

How you will make an impact
The Respiratory Therapist will perform diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures as defined in the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice. Work is performed in accordance with physician orders. Defined duties are performed in neonatal, pediatric and adult patient populations.

• Administer oxygen
• Administer aerosolized medication via Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB), Intermittent Aerosol Therapy (IAT) and Metered Dose Inhaler ( MDI). Administer incentive breathing devices.
• Perform nasotracheal and artificial airway suctioning.
• Perform CPR and bag- mask ventilation.
• Perform pulse oximetry monitoring.
• Perform arterial blood gas punctures.
• Perform bedside pulmonary mechanics.
• Diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures, pulmonary function studies, EKGs and cardiac monitoring.
• Transport patients within the hospital.
• Verify physician orders.
• Assure correct set-up, safety and function of all equipment/ supplies necessary in the provision of patient care.
• Assure adherence to all infectious disease standards in the delivery of all patient care procedures.
• Recognizes life threatening situations and initiates appropriate response.
• Understands pharmacological indications, dosages and response to adverse drug reactions.
• Makes patient care assessments according to accepted protocols.
• Provides education to patients, families, physicians, nursing and other members of the health care team.
• Monitors response to all therapy. Documents in the patient medical record.
• Communicates all pertinent clinical information Participates in quality improvement activities.
• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of respiratory equipment. (IPPB), Intermittent Aerosol Therapy (IAT) and Metered DoseInhaler (MDI).
• Administer incentive breathing devices. Perform nasotracheal and artificial airway suctioning. Perform CPR and bag- mask ventilation. Perform pulse oximetry monitoring. Perform arterial blood gas punctures. Perform bedside pulmonary mechanics.
• Diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures, pulmonary function studies, EKGs and cardiac monitoring. Transport patients within the hospital.
• Verify physician orders. Assure correct set-up, safety and function of all equipment/ supplies necessary in the provision of patient care.
• Assure adherence to all infectious disease standards in the delivery of all patient care procedures.
• Recognizes life threatening situations and initiates appropriate response.
• Understands pharmacological indications, dosages and response to adverse drug reactions.
• Makes patient care assessments according to accepted protocols.
• Provides education to patients, families, physicians, nursing and other members of the health care team.
• Monitors response to all therapy. Documents in the patient medical record.
• Communicates all pertinent clinical information Participates in quality improvement activities.
• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of respiratory equipment.

What you will need

Education: 

• Completion of a 2 year AMA approved respiratory care program (Associates Degree or the equivalent) or currently enrolled in an AMA approved Respiratory Care Program, and registry eligible.

Experience:

• None required

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications:

• North Carolina State Licensure or North Carolina State Provisional License, Certification by the National Association for Respiratory Care (NBRC) if graduate. Certification in Basic Life Support ( BLS), and any other applicable certifications applicable to the institution.

Skills:

• Knowledge necessary to make appropriate clinical decisions and interactions relative to the specific age of a patient. 
• Skills validation/certifications of competencies for the duties and responsibilities of this level. Must maintain annual skill requirements
• Must maintain annual safety/compliance requirements Must maintain North Carolina annual license requirements for CEU's Customer service and communication expertise.
• Work involves contact with patients of all ages, family members, physicians, nursing, and all other members of the health care team. Work is performed in all areas of Duke Hospital Work may require lifting or pushing in excess of 30 pounds. Work requires walking, climbing and bending.