Travel 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

Specialty

• Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics

Patient Population

• Neonates to Geriatrics

Shift Details

• Night shift
• 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM to 7:00 AM)
• Approximately 36 hours per week
• Every other weekend required
• Floating within facility/scope of practice as needed
• No call requirements
• Holiday work expectations: If 1 major holiday falls during assignment, expected to work it; if 2 holidays, expected to work both; if 3 holidays, 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

Required Experience

• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Respiratory Therapist
• First-time travelers not accepted (prior travel experience required)

Required Certifications & Licenses

• Current Georgia State Respiratory Therapist License
• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• RRT credential (Registered Respiratory Therapist)

Clinical Skills & Responsibilities

• Ventilator management
• Medicated aerosol treatments
• Bipap management
• Open heart care
• Intubation
• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) draws and analysis
• Chest Physiotherapy (CPT)
• Nitric oxide therapy
• COVID-19 patient management

Work Environment

• 24/7 respiratory therapy department
• Day shift staffing: 12-16 therapists; Night shift staffing: 10-13 therapists
• Coverage includes all hospital floors, including:

  • 30-bed ICU
  • 25-bed Open Heart unit
  • 25-bed NICU
  • 47-bed Emergency Department with 5 trauma bays

Technology & Equipment Experience

• Epic electronic health record system
• Ventilators: Servo I, GE, Hamilton, PB840

Orientation & Compliance

• Maximum Return to Office (RTO) time: 7 days
• Full compliance with onboarding requirements required to start on time; delays result in 2-week pushback due to bi-weekly orientation schedule
• Number of non-billable orientation hours depends on contract length (e.g., 8 hours for 8-week assignment)

Dress Code

• Scrub color: Any color except all red or all navy blue

Required Pre-Employment & Ongoing Documentation

• Background check completed within 30 days prior to start, including:

  • County and nationwide criminal searches
  • Sex offender registry check
  • Education verification of related degree
• Education verification required; diplomas required for RRTs
• Physical exam within 12 months prior to start
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 12 months (with specific protocols if prior positive)
• Drug screen (10-panel) within 60 days prior to start
• Immunizations/vaccinations or proof of immunity required:

  • 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 declination (required during flu season)
• Annual TB questionnaire required regardless of TB status
• Color blindness test required
• Skills checklist updated within 12 months
• Verification of most recent work history (can be pending at start with proof it is in process)
• Two clinical references required

Competency Exams (Aya Requirements)

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (for RRTs)
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam (required for ICU, Telemetry, ER, and related areas)
• General competency exam for nursing and allied health professionals

Facility Policies

• Candidate must review and sign Code of Conduct and Dress/Professional Appearance policies prior to start

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Respiratory Therapist license in Georgia
• Minimum 1 year of Respiratory Therapist experience within the last year
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system
• Experience with GE Healthcare equipment