Registered Respiratory Therapist
St. 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, 3 shifts per week, each 12 hours (18:45 to 7:15)
• Weekend Requirement: Every third weekend
• Contract Length: Approximately 26 weeks
• Work Setting: ICU and general floors in a short-term acute care teaching hospital
• Rotation includes some holidays
• Floating within scope to meet facility needs is expected
• No block scheduling accommodations
• 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 respiratory therapy experience, including experience within the last year
• Respiratory Care Practitioner experience
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA only)
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Clinical Skills & Competencies

• Proficient in airway management devices and suctioning, including:

  • Endotracheal tube suctioning
  • Extubation
  • Nasal and oral airway suctioning and placement
  • Oropharyngeal suctioning
  • Sputum specimen collection
  • Tracheostomy suctioning
• Medication administration experience with:

  • Albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent
  • Inhaled Flolan, inhaled steroids
  • Lidocaine, Nitric Oxide (INo)
  • Pulmicort, Racemic epinephrine, Xopenex
• Familiarity with medication delivery systems:

  • Aerosol setup mask and trach
  • Metered dose inhaler
• Nebulizer use including handheld, T-piece, trach collar, ultrasonic
• Oxygen therapy including High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Ventilator management skills:

  • BiPAP, CPAP
  • Troubleshooting high pressure alarms
  • Weaning from mechanical ventilation
• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) interpretation
• Ability to care for patients with acute and chronic respiratory diseases
• Comfortable managing mechanically ventilated patients
• Physical ability to walk long distances on a large hospital campus

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
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Education verification of highest degree related to profession (cannot pend at start)
• Missouri Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) results (time sensitive)
• 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)
• Fit mask test (N95 respirator) with annual renewal; facial hair must allow proper fit or shaving required
• Immunizations and/or titers with documentation or declination as applicable:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (required or declination)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray (2 negative PPDs or T-Spot/Q-Gold within 1 year)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (positive titer, vaccination, or declination)
  • Hepatitis B declination required (not mandatory vaccination)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season (Sept 30 - April 1)
• HIPAA Acknowledgement, Latex Allergy Questionnaire, Confidentiality Form, Hand Hygiene Policy, Fingernail Policy, Dress Code Policy signed prior to start
• Regulatory Compliance Education quiz completed annually with 80% or higher score
• Employment application and professional references (two required; supervisors preferred)
• Unit-specific skills checklist within 1 year of start
• Competency exams as required by unit (medication, dysrhythmia/EKG if applicable)
• Badge photo (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions, taken within 6 months)
• Vehicle registration if applicable

Additional Information

• The position requires working in a teaching hospital environment.
• Occasional precepting of respiratory therapy students may be required.
• The hospital uses Epic for charting.
• Parking is available with monthly passes; night shift workers may have free parking in employee lots.
• Candidates must be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment with a large campus.

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