Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) – Respiratory & Neuro Diagnostics
Chillicothe, Missouri
Hedrick Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics (RRT)

Location: Chillicothe, Missouri
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Position: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Experience Required: Minimum 1 year, preferably with critical care/emergency situations
• First-timers accepted if they have 2 years previous respiratory experience
• Weekend rotation required
• Must be willing to float within service line as needed
• Local candidates not accepted (home address must be at least 75 miles from facility)
• Pending licenses not accepted
• Guaranteed Hours: 3 shifts per 13 weeks (cancelled shifts must be regular shift length)

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• CPFT (Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist)
• CRT or RRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist)
• State License (Missouri)

Required Skills & Experience

• Emergency Department experience
• Airway management: Endotracheal tube suctioning, extubation, intubation assist, nasal and oral airway placement and suctioning, oropharyngeal suctioning
• Pulmonary hygiene and sputum specimen collection
• Tracheostomy suctioning and aspiration
• Management of respiratory conditions including COVID, pneumonia, COPD/asthma exacerbations
• Medication administration knowledge: Albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent, Mucomyst, Perforomist, Pulmicort, Racemic epinephrine, Spiriva
• Use of aerosol setup masks and trach masks, Medihaler, metered dose inhalers
• Experience with respiratory devices: High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), portable oxygen tanks, BiPAP, CPAP, IMV, SIMV
• Patient transport (inter-departmental and ambulance)
• Troubleshooting high pressure alarms and weaning from mechanical ventilation
• ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) interpretation and chest physiotherapy
• Drawing arterial blood gases
• Experience with pediatric/infant patients preferred (occasional cases via ED)
• Ventilator experience (Drager Vent, V60 BiPAP, EV300 Vent/PAP, Volara, Auto CPAP, AirVo, Nellcor CPOX) preferred but not mandatory for specific vents
• Additional skills: conscious sedations, nocturnal oxygen studies, oxygen exercises

Special Requirements

• Experience with COPD/asthma exacerbations, complicated pneumonia, swing bed patients with home PAPs
• Ability to manage emergency patients with various ailments
• Pediatric experience preferred

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued ID required
• Criminal background check within 6 months of start (7-year search including statewide and nationwide checks)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required quarterly
• Education verification of highest related education required (no pending at start)
• State-specific background checks and registries as applicable
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include specific panels and be valid throughout assignment
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be renewed annually
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tdap (or declination)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination
  • Flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season
• Facility-specific documents including HIPAA acknowledgement, confidentiality form, latex allergy questionnaire, hand hygiene, fingernail, and dress code policies must be completed prior to start
• Competency exams and skills checklists required, including medication/pharmacology competency and unit-specific competency exams
• References: Two professional references required, preferably supervisors within the last year

Additional Notes

• No block scheduling accommodation
• Must complete required orientation and training modules prior to start
• Must adhere to facility policies and complete all required documentation and certifications timely for clearance

This position is ideal for experienced respiratory therapists comfortable with critical care and emergency settings, who are willing to work weekends and meet comprehensive compliance requirements.