Respiratory Therapist - NICU/PICU
Columbia, South Carolina
Palmetto Health Richland

Job Opportunity: Respiratory Therapist - NICU

Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Respiratory Therapist with significant experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This role requires working primarily with neonatal and pediatric patients in a hospital setting.

Schedule

• Shift: 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM
• 3 shifts per week (12-hour shifts, total 36 hours)
• Workdays: Monday through Friday
• Weekend: Every other weekend
• On-call: Three calls in a 6-week period from 5 PM to 8 PM

Required Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a Children's hospital NICU and PICU setting
• Significant experience specifically in Neonatal/Children’s respiratory care

Required Licenses & Certifications

• South Carolina Respiratory Therapist License (CRT or RRT)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - Advanced AHA certification only
• Proof of national respiratory therapy certification (NBRC RRT or CRT) within 30 days of start

Required Qualifications & Compliance

• Valid Respiratory Therapist license in South Carolina
• Minimum 3 years of Respiratory Therapist experience, including within the last year
• Experience working with Neonate or Pediatric patients
• Significant NICU experience
• Significant PICU experience
• 3 years of experience in children's hospital NICU and PICU
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification
• Must have completed a 7-year background check within 12 months of start
• Drug screening within 1 year and updated annually
• Physical exam within 1 year attesting ability to meet physical demands
• Immunizations and health documents including:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 90 days of start
  • Flu vaccine or approved exemption (seasonal requirement)
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series, positive titer, or signed declination
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination documentation
• Respirator fit test to be completed onsite during orientation (N95 masks)
• Completion of required online orientation modules and pre-assignment testing within 72 hours of assignment
• Compliance with medication and arrhythmia competency exams as applicable

Additional Requirements

• Must carry a valid driver’s license for computer access setup and ID while on duty
• Badge photo required prior to start (passport style, plain background)
• Completion of facility-specific compliance checklists and acknowledgments
• Annual completion of core competency training (Parts I, II, III) including OSHA, patient safety, and age-specific care
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required annually
• Must pass all required background and sanction checks (EPLS, SAM, OIG, OFAC) within 30 days of start and ongoing as required

Prior Travel Experience

• No explicit prior travel experience requirement stated

Summary

This is a travel Respiratory Therapist position focused on NICU/PICU care requiring at least 3 years of pediatric respiratory experience, appropriate South Carolina licensure, and multiple pediatric and neonatal certifications. The role involves night shifts with on-call responsibilities and requires compliance with extensive health, background, and competency documentation prior to start.

Note: All certifications must be current and cannot expire within 30 days of the assignment start date.