NICU Respiratory Therapist
Saint Louis, Missouri
Saint Louis Children's Hospital

Job Opportunity: Respiratory Therapist (RRT-NICU)

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

Position Details

• Specialty: Respiratory Care (Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics)
• Required Years of Experience: 2 years
• First-timers Accepted: Yes
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• On-call: No
• Floating: Yes, as needed within scope to meet facility needs
• Locals Accepted: No
• Pending License Accepted: Yes
• Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours per week
• Special Requirements: Must have NICU and/or PICU experience
• Skills Required: Experience in ED, Level 1 trauma facility, NICU, pediatric critical care, pediatrics

Required Certifications

• BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support)
• RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - AHA only
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) - AHA only, PALS RQI acceptable
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) - AHA or AAP
• Other certifications may be required based on unit (e.g., Trauma Nursing Core Course, Crisis Prevention Institute)

Required Licenses

• Must hold a valid Respiratory Therapist license appropriate for Missouri
• Pending licenses accepted

Prior Travel Experience

• Not explicitly required

Compliance and Background Checks

• Criminal background check within 6 months required (7-year search including statewide and nationwide checks)
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required quarterly
• Education verification of highest related education required before start
• State-specific searches and registries as applicable (Missouri and Illinois)
• Fingerprinting required for assignments in Illinois long-term care or rehab units

Health and Safety Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask test (N95) required and must be completed prior to or during first week of orientation
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine or declination required
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year (two negative PPDs or T-Spot/Q-Gold acceptable)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination required (with restrictions for NICU and newborn units)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include specific panels and be current throughout assignment
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season

Competency Requirements

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam required (Peds Pharmacology exam required for RNs, not NICU)
• Unit-specific competency exams required and must be updated annually
• Pediatric competency exam required if joint pediatric exam not available

Additional Facility Requirements

• Badge photo (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions, taken within 6 months)
• HIPAA Acknowledgement, Latex Allergy Questionnaire, Confidentiality Form, Regulatory Compliance Education, Hep B Declination, TB Questionnaire, Hand Hygiene Policy, Fingernail Policy, Dress Code Policy must be reviewed and signed prior to start
• Orientation modules required for RNs and LVNs (not required for this facility)
• References: Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)

Facility Highlights

• Children's Acute Care Hospital
• Teaching Hospital
• 400 staffed beds
• Charting system: EPIC

This position is ideal for respiratory therapists with NICU/PICU experience looking for a travel contract in a pediatric acute care setting.