Registered Respiratory Therapist
Athens, Georgia
Piedmont Athens Regional

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

Location: Athens, Georgia
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 12 weeks
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
Hours per Week: 36

Patient Population

• Neonates through Geriatrics
• Units covered include ICU (30 beds), Open Heart unit (25 beds), NICU (25 beds), and Emergency Department (47 beds, 5 trauma bays)
• Hospital-wide coverage across all floors

Required Qualifications

• Valid Respiratory Therapist license in Georgia
• Minimum 1 year of Respiratory Therapist experience within the last year
• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Work Environment & Expectations

• 24/7 respiratory therapy department with 12-16 therapists on day shift and 10-13 on night shift
• Floating within the facility as needed, within scope of practice
• Weekend coverage: every other weekend
• No call requirements
• Holiday work expectations:

  • If 1 major holiday occurs during assignment, expected to work it
  • If 2 major holidays occur, expected to work both
  • If 3 major holidays occur, expected to work 2 of them
• Major holidays include Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving/Black Friday, Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Eve/Day
• Scrub color: Any color except all red or all navy blue
• Return to Office (RTO) requirement: maximum 7 days

Compliance & Onboarding

• Full compliance with all requirements is mandatory to start on time; non-compliance results in a 2-week delay due to bi-weekly orientation scheduling
• Background check required within 30 days of start, including education verification and criminal history
• Education verification required; diplomas must be provided for RRTs
• Physical exam required within 12 months prior to start
• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start (includes amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cocaine, opiates, methadone, PCP, propoxyphene, THC)
• TB testing (PPD, QGold, or TSpot) within 12 months; if positive, additional documentation required including negative chest x-ray within 6 months
• Annual TB questionnaire required regardless of TB test results
• Immunizations/vaccinations required or documentation of immunity:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – 2 vaccines or positive titer
  • Varicella – 2 vaccines or positive titer
  • Hepatitis B surface antibody titer or signed declination
  • Flu vaccine or signed declination (required during flu season Nov 1 – Mar 31)
• Color blindness test required; alternative assessment available for blood collection tasks if needed

Additional Requirements

• Skills checklist updated within the last 12 months
• Verification of most recent work history required (can be pending at start with proof of processing)
• Two clinical references required
• Competency exams required by agency (not client) including medication/pharmacology and dysrhythmia/EKG competency for relevant units
• Must review and sign facility-specific Code of Conduct and Dress/Professional Appearance policies prior to start

Notes

• Prior travel experience is required; first-time travelers will not be accepted for this assignment
• Locals are accepted at the same rate
• Number of non-billable orientation hours depends on contract length (e.g., 8 hours for 8-week assignment)

This position offers a challenging and diverse clinical environment with a broad patient population and advanced respiratory care technologies. It is ideal for experienced RRTs seeking travel assignments with a reputable healthcare facility in Georgia.