Respiratory Therapist - NICU
Columbus, Ohio
Nationwide Children's Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - NICU

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Day (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM)
Hours per Week: 36

Job Description & Requirements

• Position requires floating to different units as needed.
• Approximately 2 years of experience preferred in Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics specialty.
• Must provide 2 professional supervisory or manager references (Charge RN acceptable for one). Peer references are not accepted.
• Ohio State license required for Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT).
• Must have current government-issued photo ID matching legal name on license and certifications.
• Legal name must be consistent across all documentation and systems; proof of name change required if applicable.
• Address on driver’s license must match the address on the RRT license.

Required Qualifications & Certifications

• Current Ohio State RRT license (verification required within 30 days of start).
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential required for RRTs.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification (AHA Instructor, Provider, or RQI accepted).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA Instructor, Provider, or RQI accepted).
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification (AHA Instructor, Provider, or RQI accepted).
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification (AHA/AAP accepted).
• Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certification as applicable.
• Education verification of highest degree required (standalone verification through National Student Clearinghouse or equivalent).
• Passing medication/pharmacology competency exam as applicable.

Background & Compliance Requirements

• Criminal background check within 30 days of start, including 7-year county search and education verification.
• Fingerprinting (OH BCI/FBI) required within 60 days of start and must be updated for each new contract.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start.
• Sex offender search required within 30 days of start.
• State-specific searches including Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, Ohio Inmate Registry, Ohio Medicaid Exemption, and Ohio State Abuse Registry required within 30 days of start.
• Drug screening (9-panel) within 60 days prior to start, including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, marijuana, fentanyl, and others. Must be initiated within 72 hours of contract signing.
• Employment application and unit-specific skills checklist (updated annually) required.

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start (candidates sign Infection Control Policy in lieu of physical exam copy).
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 12 months; IGRA tests accepted if no TB signs or international travel. Positive TB results require additional documentation and approval.
• Annual N95 fit testing required (acceptable masks specified). Candidates with beards may be fitted for PAPR/CAPR.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine required within 10 years of start (vaccine must be after age 11). Titer not accepted in place of vaccine record.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunity required via positive titer or 2 vaccine doses; boosters required if titers are negative or equivocal. Religious exemptions not accepted.
• Hepatitis B immunity via completed vaccine series, positive titer, or declination accepted.
• Varicella immunity via positive titer or 2 vaccines; boosters required if titer negative or equivocal.
• Seasonal flu vaccine required between October 31 and May 31; medical/religious exemptions require facility approval and mask-wearing during flu season.
• TB Questionnaire and fingerprint screening questions must be completed prior to start.

Additional Notes

• Candidates must complete fingerprinting within 24-48 hours of contract signing; proof of submission required.
• Floating to other units is a job requirement.
• All certifications must have the candidate’s legal name exactly as on license; no nicknames or misspellings allowed.
• Screenshots or photos of certifications and immunizations are not acceptable for compliance documentation.
• Background checks and license verifications with any hits must be reviewed and approved by compliance before facility submission.

This position is ideal for experienced Respiratory Therapists with NICU expertise who are licensed in Ohio and meet the comprehensive compliance and health requirements.