Respiratory Therapy Technician
No salary listed
Entry
Associate's
Whitesburg, KY, USA
In Person
Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryNursing & Frontline Patient Care
About the job
Requirements
- Provide respiratory care services covered under the employee's limited license to practice respiratory care.
- A high school diploma or GED is required.
- An Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care is required.
- A Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care credential is required.
- A National Board of Respiratory Care credential is required.
- Basic Life Support certification is required.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification is required for Cardiac and Rehabilitation staff.
- Working knowledge of problem solving and decision-making skills is required.
- Working knowledge of digital literacy skills is required.
Responsibilities
- Perform equipment storage, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.
- Transport gas cylinders safely and appropriately.
- Administer oxygen therapy and hand-held nebulizer treatments.
- Instruct patients in the use of incentive spirometers and metered dose inhalers.
- Perform sputum inductions.
- Perform subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP.
- Perform blood gas analysis and pulmonary function testing.
- Perform ventilator application and maintenance under direct observation of a preceptor, then independently following demonstrated competency.
- Perform arterial punctures and obtain hemodynamic line draws.
- Perform manual ventilation during CPR and patient transport.
- Perform nasotracheal suctioning.
- Administer medically prescribed medications safely and effectively, understanding their indications and contraindications.
- Follow indications, contraindications, policies, and procedures for therapeutic modalities including IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, and MDI therapies.
- Set up and monitor oxygen administration, including oxygen cylinders and associated safety measures.
- Perform bedside pulmonary function tests and, following training and orientation, pulmonary function testing in the PFT laboratory.
- Serve as a member of the Code Team and respond to cardiac and respiratory arrest situations.
- Perform CPR compressions as required and maintain annual CPR certification.
- Perform preventive maintenance, calibration, and quality control testing of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.
- Use oxygen delivery systems including nasal cannulas and Venturi masks.
- Use respiratory measurement devices including pulse oximeters, Wright respirometers, and oxygen blenders.
- Assist with setup, safety checks, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a Respiratory Therapist.
- Set up and administer CPAP and BiPAP.
- Maintain accurate records and document clinical notes in patient charts.
- Report patient progress and prioritize patient condition during shift-to-shift handoff.
- Maintain proper documentation within departmental records.
- Participate in staff meetings, lectures, conferences, and seminars.
- Attend required safety training programs and demonstrate knowledge of general, department, and job-related safety responsibilities.
- Follow hospital exposure control plans for bloodborne and airborne pathogens.
- Promote effective working relationships and work effectively as part of an interdepartmental and intradepartmental department/unit team.
- Perform outpatient pulmonary function testing, ankle brachial index testing, stress testing, home sleep studies, in-lab sleep studies, electroencephalogram testing, Holter monitor application and monitoring, electrocardiogram testing, and six-minute walk testing.
- Perform Phase I cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation initial assessments.
- Develop and implement individualized Phase II cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation plans, including monitored exercise programs.
- Support Phase III self-controlled long-term cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation maintenance programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
About the company
Appalachian Regional Healthcare operates 14 nonprofit hospitals across Kentucky and West Virginia, serving rural Central Appalachia. It offers primary and specialty care, including cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and behavioral health, plus home health, pharmacy, and rehabilitation services through over 1,300 providers. What sets ARH apart is its position as one of the region's largest employers, focused on medically underserved communities. The goal is to improve health and promote well-being for the people of Central Appalachia.
Company Size
N/A
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$3.7M
Headquarters
Barbourville, Kentucky
Founded
1955
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 2026 Valley College and UPIKE scholarships deepen ARH’s workforce pipeline.
- May 2026 Middlesboro's $54 million cancer and ambulatory center expands higher-margin specialty care.
- September 2026 ARH Institute and CEO appointments signal tighter leadership and retention controls.
What critics are saying
- Pike County's April 2026 suit seeks $3 million, exposing weak collections.
- Harlan ARH ended labor and delivery in February 2025, shrinking trust and volume.
- If ARH cannot staff rural hospitals, competitors and closures will hollow its network.
What makes Appalachian Regional Healthcare unique
- ARH runs 14 hospitals serving 500,000 Central Appalachia residents from local communities.
- ARH pairs hospitals, residency training, and employee scholarships to lock regional talent.
- ARH’s rural model keeps specialty care, LTACHs, and education near home.
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Benefits
- Professional Development Budget