Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
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, three 12-hour shifts per week (18:45 to 7:15)
• Weekend Requirement: Every third weekend
• Contract Length: Approximately 26 weeks
• Work Areas: Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and general floors
• Teaching Role: May be asked to precept respiratory therapy students occasionally
• Floating: Required within scope to meet facility needs
• Local Candidates: Not accepted (must be outside a 75-mile radius)
• Pending License: Accepted
• Return to Office (RTO) Restrictions: No more than 7 days off allowed
• Block Scheduling: Not accommodated

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Respiratory Therapist license in Missouri
• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Respiratory Therapist, including experience within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner
• Experience with Epic electronic medical record system

Clinical Skills & Competencies

• Patient Care: Ability to care for and treat patients with acute and chronic respiratory diseases
• Mechanical Ventilation: Comfortable managing mechanically ventilated patients, including:

  • Ventilator management (BiPAP, CPAP)
  • Troubleshooting high-pressure alarms
  • Weaning from mechanical ventilation
• Airway Management: Proficient with endotracheal tube suctioning, extubation, nasal and oral airway suctioning and placement, oropharyngeal suctioning, sputum specimen collection, and tracheostomy suctioning
• Medication Administration: Experience administering respiratory medications such as Albuterol, Atrovent, Combivent, Inhaled Flolan, inhaled steroids, Lidocaine, Nitric Oxide, Pulmicort, Racemic epinephrine, and Xopenex
• Medication Delivery Systems: Skilled in aerosol setup for masks and tracheostomy, metered dose inhalers
• Nebulizer Use: Handheld, T-piece, trach collar, ultrasonic nebulizers
• Oxygen Therapy: High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC)
• Diagnostic Skills: Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) interpretation
• Physical Requirements: Ability to walk relatively long distances across a large hospital campus

Facility Type

• Short Term Acute Care
• Teaching hospital with Level Trauma designation
• Total Staffed Beds: 1259
• Charting System: EPIC

Special Requirements

• Experience with EPIC electronic medical record system
• Ability to work some holidays as scheduled

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued ID required (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)
• Professional license primary source verification (NURSYS for Missouri licenses)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask testing annually (N95 respirators; facial hair must allow proper fit)
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine or declination (expires every 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray per facility protocol
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption during flu season
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, covering a comprehensive panel of substances
• Completion of facility-specific compliance education and policies (HIPAA, confidentiality, hand hygiene, dress code, fingernail policy, latex allergy questionnaire)
• Badge photo and facility badge required prior to start
• 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, pharmacology, dysrhythmia/EKG if applicable)

Additional Notes

• Parking: Monthly parking passes available for a fee; free parking for straight night shifts in employee lots
• Orientation parking requires a fee and specific location; no reimbursement provided
• Candidates must adhere to all facility policies and complete required documentation prior to start
• Candidates must be prepared to work in a fast-paced, large hospital environment with a teaching component

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