Respiratory Therapist - RRT

Job Title

Respiratory Therapist - RRT

WVU Medicine (West Virginia University Health System)

601 Colliers Way, Weirton, West Virginia

Full-time, Non-Exempt

36 hours per week

Sets up and operates oxygen and therapeutic gas and mist inhalation equipment; administers prescribed doses of medical gases and aerosolized drugs to patients; responds to emergency code situations, administers CPR procedures, and draws arterial blood gas samples.

• Licensed registered respiratory therapist by the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

• Operates mechanical ventilation equipment used in administering oxygen to acute and chronically respiratory deficient patients.
• Administers oxygen therapy to patients upon physicians written orders, using devices such as face masks, venti masks, cannulas, face tents, trach and aerosol masks, and croupettes.
• Administers respiratory therapy treatments such as intermittent positive pressure breathing, ultrasonic, postural drainage, spontaneous aerosol, and peak flows in ICU, CCU, and ER, post‑op, PACU, OB, and other departments as requested.
• Administers chest‑physio/therapy treatments to mobilize secretions in lungs; performs pulmonary function tests to determine presence of acute or chronic lung disease.
• Instructs patients in proper breathing techniques including incentive, purse lip, diaphragmatic and splinting breathing, using incentive spirometry.
• Draws blood samples and analyzes for identification of arterial blood gases.
• Responds to code calls throughout hospital and administers cardio/pulmonary resuscitation to patients; serves as active member of cardiac resuscitation team.
• Monitors patients respiratory condition daily and records data in progress reports.
• Maintains proper operation of respiratory equipment such as nebulizers, ventilators, mist inhalation equipment, etc.; reports repairs to maintenance department or manufacturer.
• Cleans equipment and supplies after each use; transports to central processing department for gas sterilization processes.
• Prepares emergency oxygen set‑ups (bag‑masks, endo‑tube trays, etc.) for immediate access.
• Maintains state‑of‑the‑art knowledge in respiratory therapy procedures and techniques through literature, seminars, workshops and continuing education classes.
• Assists anesthesiologist with changing of tracheostomy tubes.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill necessary to provide care and education appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Maintains and stocks respiratory equipment such as arterial blood gas kits, cylinders, and medications from pharmacy.

• Ability to be on feet/walking extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull 40 pounds.

• Cognizant of environmental factors, infection control issues and maintains a safe environment for patient care.

• Requires good interpersonal communication skills when in contact with public, patients, staff and physicians.
• Requires multi‑tasking, problem solving and decision making abilities.

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.