Respiratory Therapist - NICU/PICU
Richmond, Virginia
VCU Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Respiratory Therapist - NICU

Location: Richmond, Virginia
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Shift: Day shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
Hours per Week: 36 hours

Job Description

• Work in both Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
• Open to first-time travel healthcare professionals.
• Facility is a large, advanced medical center recognized for excellence in nursing and infection prevention.

Required Qualifications

• Certified Respiratory Therapist with at least 1 year of NICU experience.
• Recent NICU respiratory therapy experience within the last year.
• Prior experience as a Respiratory Therapist.

Background & Screening Requirements

• Criminal background check within 60 days of start, including:

  • All states lived/worked in past 7 years
  • State of permanent residence
  • Virginia Statewide Repository Search
  • Sex Offender Registry
  • Nationwide FACIS Level 3
  • Education verification
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start.
• Fingerprinting via Virginia State Police required for all NICU and Pediatrics units; results may pend but proof of submission must be on file.
• Two professional references required.
• Complete employment application and skills checklist (updated annually).

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year confirming ability to meet job demands.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine or declination required.
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray per facility protocol (Q-gold/T-spot within 30 days of start or two PPDs).
• Annual TB questionnaire required regardless of TB status.
• Titers required for Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella; booster required if titers are low.
• Hepatitis B titer, vaccine series, or declination required.
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required for the flu season (Oct-May); declinations not accepted without exemption documentation.
• Drug screening within 60 days of start; 9-panel minimum excluding marijuana.

Competency & Training

• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam required as applicable.
• Abuse reporting competency covering physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, and elder/disabled adult neglect required.
• Color blindness testing required.
• Facility-specific orientation includes pharmacology exam, point of care testing, airborne precaution mask fitting, and Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool (BKAT) for ICU and step-down units.
• Completion of assigned learning modules (~6 hours) during orientation week.

Additional Notes

• Government-issued photo ID must be carried during hours of service.
• Confidentiality and HIPAA acknowledgements required prior to start.
• Candidates must bring a mask (cloth acceptable), non-wireless headphones, and a laptop or cell phone to orientation (notify if unavailable).
• Performance evaluations will be completed at the end of the assignment, not required prior to start.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a highly regarded pediatric and neonatal critical care environment with comprehensive support for first-time travel therapists.