Respiratory Therapist – NICU/PICU
Fargo, North Dakota
Sanford Medical Center Fargo

Respiratory Therapist – NICU/PICU Specialty

Location: Fargo, North Dakota
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Provide respiratory therapy assessment, therapeutic intervention, and education for patients with cardiopulmonary disorders or related complications. Work primarily with NICU, PICU, and adult patient populations in a large hospital setting with multiple specialized units.

Unit & Patient Population

• Level 4 NICU (40 beds) including high frequency ventilation (Jet & HFOV), nitric oxide therapy, high-risk deliveries, and care for gestational ages 22 weeks and above (micro preemies).
• Pediatric ICU (8 beds) and Pediatric units (24 beds).
• Adult ICU (48 beds), intermediate Adult ICU (16 beds), adult general floor (189 beds), and ER (47 beds).
• Work alongside 6-14 other RTs per shift in adult and pediatric units; NICU staffed with 2-4 RTs per shift; PICU with 1-3 pediatric RTs per shift.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years recent respiratory therapist experience, with specialization in NICU and/or PICU. Adult general floor experience is beneficial.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential via NBRC required; Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) considered but RRT preferred.
• Current BLS (AHA), NRP, and PALS certifications required. ACLS preferred.
• North Dakota state respiratory license or willingness to apply within 72 hours of offer acceptance.
• Level 4 NICU experience including ventilator management for micro preemies, high frequency ventilation, nitric oxide, and high-risk deliveries.

Job Duties & Procedures

• Respiratory therapy assessments and protocols.
• Arterial punctures and blood gas analysis.
• Ventilator and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) therapy management.
• Medication delivery and airway clearance.
• Assist with intubations, tracheostomy changes, decannulation, and extubations.
• Participate in emergency response teams and ICU rounds.
• Patient intrahospital transport and support during high-risk deliveries.

Equipment Used

• Epic documentation system.
• Hamilton G5 & C1 ventilators, V60, Airvo, Blender High Flow Set-Ups.
• Philips CoughAssist, Synclara Cough Device, Volara, Vest, IPV, ResMed AutoPAPs.
• Radiometer ABL90 Flex, EPOC POC device, Aerogen nebulizers.
• Nitric Oxide delivery systems, 3100 A & B HFOV, Braun Syringe Pump.
• Home ventilators: Trilogy, Astral, Vivo.
• Bunnell HFJV, Infant Flow SiPAP, Bubble CPAP, Sentec TCM, NeoPuff.

Schedule & Work Environment

• Rotating 12-hour shifts (day/night), every other weekend and rotating holidays.
• Option to request weekend-only or straight night shifts.
• Opportunity to pick up extra shifts.
• Work in a team environment; no solo shifts.
• Scrub colors: Steel Gray for Peds/PICU, blue hospital-provided scrubs for NICU.
• Must badge in/out each shift.

Orientation & Training

• Lab orientation with respiratory therapy education staff.
• Preceptor shifts on the unit with experienced RTs.
• Opportunity to cross-train and float to other inpatient respiratory therapy units if interested.

Additional Information

• Strong communication skills required to collaborate effectively with healthcare teams.
• Ability to manage rapid changes in patient condition and work independently as well as part of a team.
• Prior work with this facility requires a minimum 6-month gap before reapplying.

Summary of Requirements

| Requirement | Details |
|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Experience | Minimum 2 years in NICU/PICU specialty |
| Licenses & Certifications | RRT (NBRC), BLS (AHA), NRP, PALS required; ND state license required or must apply within 72 hours; ACLS preferred |
| Patient Population Experience | Level 4 NICU including micro preemies, high frequency ventilation, nitric oxide, high-risk deliveries; PICU and adult floor experience beneficial |
| Shift | 12-hour rotating day/night shifts, every other weekend and holidays; weekend or night-only considered |
| Equipment Familiarity | Advanced ventilators, nitric oxide, high flow devices, home vents, and respiratory therapy equipment |

This position is ideal for a motivated respiratory therapist with specialized NICU/PICU experience seeking a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.