Registered Respiratory Therapist - Neuro Diagnostics
Saint Louis, Missouri
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Travel/Contract

Location

• Saint Louis, Missouri

Position Details

• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Shift: Night shifts, three 12-hour shifts per week (18:45 to 7:15)
• Weekend Requirement: Every third weekend
• Contract Length: Approximately 26 weeks
• Work Areas: Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and general floors
• Rotation: Every third weekend rotation; some holiday shifts required
• Floating: Clinicians will float within their scope to meet facility needs
• Block scheduling: Not accommodated
• Local candidates within 75 miles radius are not accepted
• Pending Missouri Respiratory Care Practitioner License accepted
• Maximum time off (RTO) allowed: 7 days
• Minimum guaranteed hours: 3 shifts per 13 weeks

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Respiratory Therapist license in Missouri
• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Respiratory Therapist, including experience within the last year
• Respiratory Care Practitioner experience
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Experience with Epic electronic medical record system

Clinical Skills & Competencies

• Airway Management: Endotracheal tube suctioning, extubation, nasal airway suctioning, oral airway placement, oropharyngeal suctioning, sputum specimen collection, tracheostomy suctioning
• Medication Administration: Albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent, Inhaled Flolan, inhaled steroids, Lidocaine, Nitric Oxide (INo), Pulmicort, Racemic epinephrine, Xopenex
• Medication Delivery Systems: Aerosol mask setup, aerosol trach setup, metered dose inhaler
• Nebulizer Use: Handheld, T-piece, trach collar, ultrasonic nebulizers
• Oxygen Therapy: High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Ventilator Management: BiPAP, CPAP, troubleshooting high pressure alarms, weaning from mechanical ventilation
• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) interpretation
• Ability to manage patients with acute and chronic respiratory diseases, including mechanically ventilated patients
• Physical stamina to walk long distances on a large hospital campus

Facility Type

• Short Term Acute Care
• Teaching hospital with trauma level designation
• Total staffed beds: 1,259
• Charting system: Epic

Required Documentation & Compliance

• Government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license or state ID)
• Criminal background check within 6 months, including statewide and nationwide searches, with annual updates
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Education verification of highest degree related to profession (cannot pend at start)
• Professional license primary source verification (NURSYS for Missouri licenses)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, including a comprehensive panel (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methadone, opiates, oxycodone, PCP), must remain valid throughout assignment
• Fit mask testing (N95 respirators) with annual renewal; facial hair must allow proper fit or candidate must shave
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • Tdap vaccine or declination (expires every 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within required timeframes; yearly TB questionnaire
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Sept-April)
• Facility-specific compliance documents including HIPAA acknowledgement, confidentiality form, latex allergy questionnaire, hand hygiene policy, fingernail policy, dress code policy, and regulatory compliance education (annual quiz with 80% passing score)
• Badge photo (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions, taken within 6 months)
• Employment application and professional references (two required; supervisors preferred)
• Unit-specific skills checklist within 1 year of start
• Competency exams as applicable (medication/pharmacology, unit-specific, dysrhythmia/EKG if applicable)

Additional Notes

• Candidates may be asked to precept respiratory therapy students occasionally
• Orientation parking available with fees; night shift parking is free in employee lots
• No block scheduling accommodations
• No local candidates accepted within 75 miles radius
• Must be willing to work some holidays
• Maximum time off allowed is 7 days during assignment

This summary includes all relevant information for healthcare recruiters and respiratory therapists considering this travel contract opportunity.