Registered Respiratory Therapist – Respiratory/Neuro Diagnostics
Charleston, South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina - University Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Travel/Contract

Location

• Charleston, South Carolina

Position Details

• Specialty: Respiratory / Neuro Diagnostics
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Shift: Night shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• On-call: Not required
• Floating: Possible floating only to main hospital adult population within same policies and equipment; no floating to sister facilities
• Contract Length: 13 weeks

Patient Population & Unit Highlights

• Facility is a Magnet-designated, teaching hospital with Level 1 Trauma designation
• Unit: Adult critical care at a 200-bed tower with:

  • 2 ICUs including Cardiovascular ICU (21 beds) and Medical-Surgical ICU (18 beds)
  • Postoperative cardiac, thoracic, complex vascular surgery patients
  • Heart & lung transplant, durable LVAD, temporary mechanical circulatory support
  • ECMO, IABP, Impella support
  • Complex cardiology patients including post cardiac arrest, acute MI, decompensated heart failure
  • Medical-surgical ICU patients with ARDS, septic shock, hematologic/oncologic emergencies, GI hemorrhage, pulmonary hypertension, perforated viscous

Required Qualifications

• Valid Respiratory Therapist license in South Carolina
• Minimum 2 years of Respiratory Therapist experience, including experience within the last year
• Completion of at least one travel assignment
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

Additional Requirements

• Radius rule: Must live within 60 miles; local candidates considered case-by-case
• Guaranteed hours: Facility may call off 1 shift every 2 weeks
• Emergency team activation may be required during hurricane season (June–November, peak August–September)
• Block scheduling may be accommodated with prior approval (not guaranteed)

Compliance & Documentation

• Background checks including 7-year work/living history, criminal, sex offender, national, and state-specific searches
• Employment verification of last 3 clinical employers
• Education verification or diploma/transcripts as placeholder
• Proof of 2 clinical references
• Complete employment application including all PTO, contract assignments, agency names, and no unaccounted gaps
• Color blind testing required prior to start
• Competency exams as applicable
• Drug screening: 10-panel urine drug screen within 90 days of start
• Physical exam: Initial and annual attestation of ability to meet physical demands
• Fit test: N95 mask fit test within 90 days prior to start, renewed annually (specific mask models required)
• Immunizations and titers:

  • Tdap within 10 years or declination form
  • Negative TB test (T-spot or Q-Gold) within 90 days or chest x-ray if prior positive
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella: positive titer or vaccination series with boosters as needed
  • Hepatitis B: titer, vaccine series, or declination
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Aug 1 – Mar 31)
• COVID-19 vaccination highly preferred; declination form required if not vaccinated
• Photo for badge: Clear, passport-style photo with solid light background, frontal view, business casual attire, no hats or sunglasses; must be submitted by Wednesday before start

Orientation & Facility Specifics

• Completion of orientation modules and OurDay platform training required before start; estimated 2 hours
• Upload vaccination records (COVID and flu) into OurDay platform
• Parking: Cost applies only nights and weekends; one-time $20 parking pass fee
• Charting system: Epic
• Scrub color: Caribbean Blue

Important Notes

• Radiation badge: Not required for this position
• No on-call or floating to sister facilities required
• Travelers must be prepared for possible emergency response team activation during hurricane season
• All required documents and certifications must be current and valid at start; no certifications expiring within 30 days of start accepted

This position is ideal for experienced adult critical care respiratory therapists with prior travel contract experience seeking a night shift travel assignment in a high-acuity teaching hospital environment.