Respiratory Therapist
Des Moines, IA
HumanEdge Travel Healthcare
1x12 hrs

Respiratory Therapist Job Summary

Job Description

• Provide quality patient care with intensive respiratory care and patient transport as medically prescribed.
• Evaluate patients and recommend treatment plans.
• Educate patients on treatments, tests, and equipment, including discharge instructions.
• Perform physician-prescribed respiratory treatments using various ventilatory, oxygen, aerosol, and nebulizer devices.
• Conduct chest physiotherapy and suctioning (oropharyngeal, nasal, tracheal).
• Monitor patients using oximetry and capnography.
• Review chest x-rays for further evaluation needs.
• Perform 12-Lead EKG and basic arrhythmia recognition.
• Conduct pulmonary function studies (e.g., NIF, VC).
• Assist with respiratory procedures (bronchoscopy, percutaneous tracheostomy, chest tube placement).
• Manage chest drainage via PleurX catheter or similar devices.
• Provide tracheostomy care, including insertion and removal of tubes.
• Perform arterial puncture and assess ventilation efficiency.
• Follow lab policies for specimen handling and testing phases in moderate complexity labs.
• Perform CPR according to BLS and ACLS guidelines.
• Insert and remove endotracheal tubes using free hand or video laryngoscope techniques.
• Set up, maintain, and monitor mechanical ventilation equipment.
• Assist with equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Document treatments and patient responses accurately.
• Communicate effectively with attending and pulmonary physicians.
• Report information during shift hand-offs.
• Maintain accurate respiratory therapy billing and data entry.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Contract Length

• 13 weeks

Required Credentials and Experience

• Current state licensure required
• BLS certification required prior to first shift
• ACLS certification required prior to first shift
• Active CRT or RRT credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) or state equivalent required
• Minimum 2 years bedside clinical experience required

Prior Travel Experience

• Not specified (no indication that prior travel experience is required)