Registered Respiratory Therapist
Potsdam, NY
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Opportunity: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Travel/Contract

Location: Potsdam, New York
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM)
Hours per Week: 36 hours

Job Description

• Provide respiratory therapy care primarily to adult patients, with occasional responsibilities for pediatric and newborn stabilization prior to transport.
• Work independently or with a second therapist in a fully functional 24/7 respiratory therapy department.
• Care areas include ICU (6 beds), Emergency Department, Medical/Surgical, Pediatrics, and low volume newborn stabilization.
• Perform advanced respiratory care skills including extubation, airway placement and suctioning (oral and nasal), pulmonary hygiene, sputum specimen collection, and tracheostomy care.
• Administer respiratory medications such as Albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent, Flovent, Inhaled steroids, Isuprel, Lidocaine, Perforomist, Pulmicort, Racemic epinephrine, Spiriva, Terbutaline Sulfate, Tobramycin, and Xopenex.
• Manage respiratory equipment including aerosol setups (mask and trach), Medihaler, Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI), hand-held nebulizers, T-piece, trach collar, High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), BiPAP, CPAP.
• Troubleshoot high pressure alarms and assist with weaning patients from mechanical ventilation.
• Interpret Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs).
• May be asked to perform occasional EKGs after hours to support Cardiology.
• Provide care to COVID-19 patient populations as needed.
• Adapt to changing care environments and work independently when required.

Preferred Ventilators: Servo I, LTV, Hamilton T1

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Respiratory Therapist license in New York
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Respiratory Therapist within the last year
• Current certifications prior to start:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
• Experience working in Emergency Department settings
• Proficient in pulmonary hygiene techniques
• Skilled in use of Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) and hand-held nebulizers
• Experience with BiPAP therapy
• Ability to troubleshoot high pressure alarms on respiratory equipment

Health and Compliance Requirements

Candidates must complete the following health-related requirements and lab work within 5 days of signing the contract (if booked within 30 days of start):

• Physical exam (within 1 year, updated annually).
• Fit mask test (within 1 year, updated annually). If failed, PAPR exemption process applies.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccination (within 10 years; TD not accepted).
• Negative TB test (Qgold, Tspot, or 2-step PPD within 1 year). For positive TB, negative chest X-ray within 10 years and annual TB questionnaire required.
• Immunizations or positive titers for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (surface antibody positive, completed series, or declination)
  • Varicella
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (specific panel required).
• Seasonal flu vaccination or signed declination during flu season.
• Snellen eye exam within 1 year of contract start.
• Annual harassment prevention training (New York state requirement).
• Background checks including 7-year criminal history, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG.
• Education verification for professional degree.
• Professional references (2 required).
• Work history verification (7 years).
• Skills checklist updated annually.
• Competency exams as required by profession, including medication test/pharmacology and dysrhythmia/EKG competency.

Additional Information

• Scrubs: Any style allowed.
• Must have government-issued photo ID.
• Must review facility-specific policies on patient confidentiality, sexual harassment prevention, patient experience training, and pre-employment compliance.
• Orientation includes ABG interpretation.
• Candidates must be able to work night shifts and adapt to a dynamic care environment.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a diverse respiratory therapy setting with a supportive team and a variety of patient populations.