Certified Respiratory Therapist
Metairie, LA
Prime Staffing
4x12 hrs, Nights

Travel Contract – Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)

Position Details

• Specialty: Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
• Start Date: November 17, 2026
• Contract Duration: 12 weeks
• Positions Available: 1
• Shift: Night Shift
• Schedule: 4x12-hour shifts
• Hours: 6:30 PM–6:30 AM
• Experience Required: Minimum 2 years; more experience preferred
• Travel Experience: First-time travelers accepted
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Holiday Requirement: Must work 2 of the 3 winter holidays
• RTO: No more than 5 consecutive days

Required Certifications and License

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Active Louisiana state license

Preferred Certifications

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Respiratory Therapist to provide respiratory care to adult and pediatric patients in critical care and emergency settings, with potential responsibilities in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The therapist will assess respiratory status, administer respiratory medications and aerosol treatments, manage oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation, assist with airway management, and perform respiratory procedures. The role requires strong clinical judgment and the ability to respond to complex respiratory conditions.

Required Clinical Skills

Work Settings

• Adult Critical Care
• Emergency Department
• NICU experience preferred

Respiratory Treatments and Medication Administration

• Aerosol therapy using masks and tracheostomy setups
• Metered-dose inhalers (MDI) and medication delivery systems
• Administration of respiratory medications, including albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent, Pulmicort, racemic epinephrine, and Xopenex
• Nitric oxide (iNO)
• Inhaled Flolan (preferred)

Patient Care and Respiratory Conditions

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• Aspiration and pneumonia
• Bronchoscopy assistance
• COVID-related respiratory care
• Cystic fibrosis
• Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
• Fresh tracheostomy management

Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care

• Assistance with high-risk deliveries
• Bubble CPAP and nasal CPAP/BiPAP
• Capillary and umbilical blood gases
• High-frequency jet and oscillating ventilators
• IMV/SIMV
• Intubation assistance
• Pressure- and volume-controlled ventilation
• Neonatal and pediatric oxygen therapy

Ventilator Management and Airway Care

• CPAP, BiPAP, SIMV, and high-frequency ventilation
• Ventilator troubleshooting and alarm management
• Weaning from mechanical ventilation
• Intubation and extubation assistance
• Nasal and oral airway placement
• Oral, nasal, and endotracheal suctioning
• Tracheostomy care and management
• Pulmonary hygiene and sputum specimen collection

Additional Clinical Skills

• Arterial punctures and arterial blood gas (ABG) collection
• ABG interpretation
• Basic EKG
• Chest physiotherapy, including vest therapy
• Patient transport between departments and by ambulance
• Nebulizer treatments, including handheld, T-piece, and tracheostomy collar setups

Important Assignment Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of respiratory therapy experience.
• First-time travelers are accepted.
• Must hold an active Louisiana respiratory therapy license.
• Must hold BLS and CRT or RRT credentials.
• Must be available for every-other-weekend coverage.
• Must work 2 of the 3 winter holidays.
• Requested time off must not exceed 5 consecutive days.

Ideal Candidate: A respiratory therapist with at least 2 years of experience in adult critical care or emergency respiratory care, strong ventilator-management skills, and a valid Louisiana license. Neonatal and pediatric respiratory experience is beneficial.