Respiratory Therapist
Waimea, Hawaii
Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital

Respiratory Therapist (Contract)

Location: Waimea, Hawaii
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Employment Type: Contract
Shift: Must be flexible (including evenings, weekends, and holidays)

Job Summary

Provide independent respiratory care in a hospital respiratory therapy unit, applying clinical judgment to treat patients with respiratory diseases and disorders, including critically ill, pediatric, and neonatal patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Initiate, monitor, and maintain life support ventilation systems, including emergency intubation and ventilator adjustments based on arterial blood gases.
• Manage airway maintenance: placement and care of endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes, suctioning, and tube changes.
• Participate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation as part of the resuscitation team, including airway management and manual ventilation.
• Assess and evaluate patients’ respiratory status using clinical data, lab results, and imaging; recommend treatment methods to physicians.
• Administer age-specific respiratory treatments, including medication preparation and delivery, chest physiotherapy, and pulmonary function testing.
• Operate pulse oximetry and pulmonary function testing equipment; perform patient screening for respiratory disorders.
• Provide patient and family education on respiratory treatments and disease management.
• Perform cardiopulmonary rehabilitation teaching, including peak flow monitoring, medication management, and oxygen conservation exercises.
• Conduct electroencephalogram electrode placement and monitoring, and assist with polysomnography in sleep studies.
• Maintain infection control, safety standards, and confidentiality.
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment; perform minor repairs and routine record keeping.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Respiratory Therapist license in Hawaii
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Respiratory Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist experience within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Additional Information

• Candidates should research housing options prior to applying.
• Strict confidentiality of patient and facility information is required.
• Holiday work includes New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
• Communication with the facility regarding arrival and compliance items is required once confirmed.

Experience

• Minimum years of experience not explicitly stated; however, advanced independent clinical judgment and skills in critical care respiratory therapy are expected.
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required.