Respiratory Care Practitioner 1
No salary listed
Entry, Junior, Mid
Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
In Person
Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryNursing & Frontline Patient Care
About the job
Requirements
- Previous experience is preferred, but not required.
- Knowledge of anatomy and physiology as related to the respiratory system is required.
- Ability to use a calculator and verbal and written medical terminology is required.
- Registered Respiratory Therapist certification from the National Board for Respiratory Care is required.
- An Iowa Respiratory Care Practitioner license is required.
- Basic Life Support certification in accordance with the American Heart Association is required.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification is required within one year of employment, except for Pulmonary Function Testing staff.
- Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse and Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training certification is required before the start or transfer date.
- Ability to exert 20–50 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10–15 pounds frequently is required.
Responsibilities
- Provide bedside respiratory care to assigned inpatient clients according to physician orders for all respiratory therapy modalities.
- Perform all forms of respiratory therapy according to prescribed physician orders and standing written policies and procedures.
- Set up, maintain, and monitor ventilators for critical-care patients of all age groups.
- Attend and assist with code blues, high-risk deliveries, cesarean sections, and house-wide medical emergency calls.
- Set up and monitor continuous positive airway pressure and bilevel positive airway pressure according to departmental policies and procedures.
- Perform noninvasive cardiology procedures such as electrocardiograms in the Emergency Department and complete the necessary paperwork.
- Assist physicians with bedside bronchoscopies according to respiratory therapy procedures.
- Perform oximetry spot checks and sleep studies and accurately process the corresponding paperwork.
- Perform arterial blood gas draws, use the I-Stat machine, and communicate arterial blood gas results to nursing staff or physicians.
- Check out, clean, and maintain equipment as necessary according to respiratory therapy policies and procedures.
- Provide patient education on all respiratory care modalities and outpatient services.
- Participate in the charge role as applicable.
- Act as the primary preceptor and resource for new staff.
- Follow safety guidelines, perform job-specific safety duties, and promptly report unsafe conditions, situations, incidents, and injuries.
- When trained in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory, perform physician-ordered pulmonary function studies accurately and responsibly according to manufacturer and departmental policies.
- Observe patients during pulmonary function testing and compare results for reproducibility across at least three trials.
- Perform quality-control procedures and maintain testing equipment to ensure accurate results.
- Calibrate pulmonary function testing machines each morning before testing and log the calibration results.
- Assist with the Tracheostomy Clinic.
Desired Qualifications
- Previous experience in respiratory care is preferred.
About the company
Mercy Medical Center provides a full range of health-care services to its community, including emergency care, inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgical services, maternity care, diagnostics, and specialty clinics. Its care model centers on teams of doctors, nurses, and support staff who use electronic medical records, evidence-based protocols, and coordinated care plans to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients across different departments. What sets Mercy apart is its broad scope of services within a community-hospital setting, a networked approach that emphasizes accessible care, patient navigation, and community outreach, often alongside teaching and collaboration within a larger health system. The goal is to improve community health by delivering high-quality, compassionate, and accessible medical care to patients.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Founded
1900
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Mercy’s 2026 technology rollout signals continued capital investment and specialty-service expansion.
- The Hall-Perrine cancer survivorship program strengthens downstream oncology retention and community loyalty.
- Joe Malas joined March 30, 2026, bringing finance discipline for margin repair and growth.
What critics are saying
- HHS-OIG finalized a $14.8 million settlement on April 15, 2026, for remuneration violations.
- CEO Timothy Quinn retires April 3, 2026, forcing leadership transition during compliance cleanup.
- A major federal fraud case can damage referrals, payer trust, and acquisition optionality by 2027.
What makes Mercy Medical Center unique
- Mercy launched Abbott Volt AFib technology July 6, 2026, first in Iowa.
- Mercy added Spanish MyChart July 8, 2026, improving access for Latino patients.
- Mercy holds Blue Distinction Plus bariatric status and national orthopedic recognition for 2026.
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Benefits
- Relocation Assistance