Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - NICU & Adult ICU
Lake Charles, Louisiana
CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital

Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Travel Position

Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Specialty: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
Employment Type: Travel
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Provide pulmonary care for critical, non-critical, and chronically ill adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients with minimal supervision. Perform patient assessments and implement respiratory care plans across all hospital areas, including Level III NICU and adult ICU settings.

Work Schedule

• Day Shift: 7 AM – 7 PM (may float to alternate shift 6 PM – 6 AM at a different facility)
• Potential weekend scheduling
• No on-call required
• Floating between two facilities with different patient populations (neonatal ICU and adult ICU)

Unit Description & Expectations

• Level III NICU experience required
• Ability to work independently in NICU with ventilators, oscillations, nitric oxide therapy, arterial line draws
• Attend all C-sections
• Adult ICU experience with ventilators and cardiac surgery patients preferred
• Both facilities have full standing ER
• Nurse to patient ratio: 1 therapist to 5 ventilated patients

Responsibilities

• Emergency response (Code Blue and White)
• Airway management including nasotracheal and endotracheal suctioning
• Delivery of aerosolized medications
• Ventilator setup and management
• Oral hygiene and airway device maintenance
• Management of BiPAP, CPAP, oxygen delivery devices
• Chest film analysis and blood gas collection/analysis
• EKG analysis and accurate documentation
• Equipment cleaning and stocking
• Participation in CAP and JC surveys
• May serve as Shift Leader or Team Leader
• Advanced skills may include:

  • Therapeutic gas management (including INO and HeO2)
  • Pulmonary function testing
  • Bronchoscopy assistance
  • Hemodynamic monitoring and waveform analysis
  • Nocturnal SpO2 evaluation and polysomnography
  • Patient transport duties

Licensure & Certification Requirements

• RT or RCP License in Louisiana required
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential by NBRC required
• Current BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications required
• CRT candidates may be considered

Experience

• 1 to 3 years preferred

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) System

• EPIC

Additional Notes

• Permanent position may be available if openings arise