NICU/PICU Respiratory Therapist
Washington, District of Columbia
Children's National Medical Center

Job Opportunity: RRT-NICU (Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics)

Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with NICU/PICU and pediatric experience preferred. Locals accepted at travel rate.

Required Qualifications

• License: DC RRT License required (pending applications accepted; processing takes 6-8 weeks)
• Certifications:

  • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure (NRP) (required based on unit/specialty)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (required based on unit/specialty)
  • Chemotherapy certification (required based on unit/specialty)
• Experience:

  • Minimum 3 years recent experience strongly preferred for first-time travelers
  • At least 1 year of experience required
• Prior Travel Experience: Not explicitly required
• Other:

  • Background checks and education verifications required
  • Pass/fail medication calculation exam at orientation (not required for per diem)
  • Competency exams including medication/pharmacology and color blindness testing required

Work Schedule & Conditions

• 3 or 4 shifts per week
• Every other weekend required
• No on-call duties
• Floating within scope allowed (no floating to sister facilities)
• Guaranteed 36 hours/week; up to 48 hours available (overtime after 48 hours)
• Block scheduling not available

Time-Off Policy

• Max 3 shifts off for 13-week contracts
• Max 8 shifts off for 26-week contracts
• Taking 1 full week off requires adding an additional week to contract
• No time off approved during:

  • August 31 – September 6
  • November 23 – November 29
  • December 21 – January 3

Facility Highlights

• Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
• Teaching & Magnet Hospital
• 323 inpatient beds, including 70 NICU beds
• Charting system: Cerner
• Scrubs: Any solid color, no logos; child-friendly attire required

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam within 30 days of start (must include latex allergy info)
• Fit test for N95 or PAPR mask within 1 year of start, updated annually
• Immunizations/vaccinations required or documented:

  • Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 MMR vaccines or positive quantitative titer)
  • Hepatitis B series and quantitative titer
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive quantitative titer)
  • Flu vaccine or approved medical/religious exemption (seasonal)
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 60 days of start (with additional requirements if positive or new converter)
• 10-panel drug screen within 30 days of start (including marijuana)
• COVID vaccine or declination required for tracking

Documentation & Onboarding Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID
• Background checks covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years
• Education verification and transcript/diploma (transcript accepted if education verification pending)
• Professional references (2, dated within past 2 years)
• Employment application and skills checklist required
• Facility-specific modules and safety acknowledgements must be completed prior to start
• Photo for badge (specific guidelines apply)

This position is ideal for experienced respiratory therapists with pediatric and NICU/PICU backgrounds seeking a travel contract in a high-acuity pediatric hospital setting.