Registered Respiratory Therapist – Adult Critical Care & ER
New Haven, Connecticut
Yale-New Haven Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Employment Type: Per Diem
Shift: Night, 12-hour shifts (7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

Seeking experienced Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) with expertise in Adult Critical Care and Emergency Room settings. The role involves providing respiratory and neuro diagnostic care across all patient age groups including neonates, pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Respiratory Therapist license in Connecticut
• Minimum 2 years of Respiratory Therapist experience, including experience within the last year
• Experience working with Adult patients
• Current ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification
• Experience with administration and management of respiratory therapies including Inhaled Flolan, Nitric Oxide (INo), and Perforomist
• Proficiency in High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) therapy
• Experience in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Previous charge experience.
• Experience in teaching hospitals and Level 1 trauma centers.
• Experience in NICU and pediatric critical care.
• Skills in ECMO, assisting in high-risk deliveries, bronchoscopy, and use of advanced respiratory therapies and medications such as Mucomyst, Ketamine, Bicarbonate, Theophylline, High Frequency Oscillator.

Required Clinical Skills

• Airway management: extubation, nasal and oral airway placement and suctioning, tracheostomy care.
• Pulmonary hygiene and sputum specimen collection.
• Suctioning (endotracheal tube and nasotracheal).
• Administration and management of respiratory medications including Albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent, Flovent, Inhaled Flolan, Lidocaine, Nitric Oxide, Perforomist, Pulmicort, Racemic Epinephrine, Spiriva, Terbutaline Sulfate, Tobramycin, Xopenex, and others.
• Setup and management of aerosol masks, trach masks, Medihaler, Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI), handheld nebulizers, T-piece, trach collar, High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), BiPAP, CPAP.
• Troubleshooting high-pressure alarms and weaning from mechanical ventilation.
• Interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABGs).

Orientation and Training

• 4 days unit orientation including:

  • 1 hour welcome call and 4 hours virtual training videos (Friday)
  • 1 day general HR orientation (Monday)
  • 1 day virtual Epic training if candidate does not pass Epic test out
• Charting system: Epic
• Medication system: Pyxis
• Dress code: Navy blue scrubs (top and bottom) with navy blue lab coat; no university sweatshirts.

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• 7-year work history with no gaps greater than 90 days.
• Background checks including 7-year criminal background, EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG, sex offender search, and education verification.
• Verification of highest level of education; foreign equivalency evaluation required for internationally educated candidates.
• Physical exam within 12 months of start.
• Fit mask test within 12 months, updated annually; must be clean shaven for fit testing.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray documentation.
• Required immunizations or proof of immunity:

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B (or declination)
  • Tdap vaccination highly preferred for pediatric specialties, labor and delivery, postpartum.
• 10-panel drug screen within 12 months of start.
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required during flu season.
• COVID vaccination preferred but not required.
• Completion of multiple facility-specific training modules and attestations including but not limited to:

  • Stroke education
  • CLABSI prevention
  • Preventing pressure injury
  • Patient transportation with oxygen
  • Pyxis ES MedStation training
  • Baxter pump interoperability
  • Patient bedside rounding
  • Ventricular assist device awareness
  • Blood administration module
  • Fire safety
  • Suicide risk and environmental assessment
  • Language services training
  • Chaperone policy training
  • 21st Century Cures Act module
  • ED handbook (for ED/ER RNs)
  • eCart training (for RNs)
• Must pass medication/pharmacology competency exam with minimum 85%.
• Color blind testing required with minimum 80% score.

Additional Notes

• Candidates must have photo ID matching legal name on first day.
• 1-year separation period required for previous permanent employees.
• Shifts access granted only after clearance post-orientation.
• Commitment to compliance and availability for shifts is mandatory.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a high-acuity environment with diverse patient populations and advanced respiratory care technologies.