Respiratory Therapist

PURPOSE

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for assessing, treating, and caring for patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. This role involves conducting diagnostic tests, developing treatment plans, and administering respiratory therapy to improve lung function and manage respiratory conditions. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Assessment and Diagnosis

• Conducts physical examinations and diagnostic tests to evaluate lung capacity and blood gas levels.

• Analyzes patient data to determine the severity of respiratory conditions.

• Consults with physicians to develop and modify patient treatment plans.

Therapy Administration

• Administers respiratory treatments such as oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, and chest physiotherapy.

• Connects patients to ventilators and monitors their responses.

• Provides emergency respiratory care, including external cardiac massage and artificial respiration.

Patient Education

• Educates patients on the use of respiratory equipment and medications.

• Instructs patients on breathing exercises and techniques to improve lung function.

• Provides guidance on lifestyle changes to manage respiratory conditions.

Equipment Management

• Sets up and operates therapeutic gas administration equipment and mechanical ventilators.

• Ensures proper functioning and maintenance of respiratory therapy equipment.

• Regularly checks and calibrates equipment to meet safety standards.

Collaboration and Communication

• Works closely with healthcare teams to coordinate patient care.

• Communicates effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers.

• Documents patient progress and treatment outcomes in medical records.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's Degree in Respiratory Therapy or related field
• At least 2 year(s) of experience in respiratory care.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification.

Relevant education or experience may be substituted as appropriate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy or related field
• At least 5 year(s) of experience in respiratory care, preferably acute
• Advanced certifications in respiratory care.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

SALARY RANGE

$70,000 + depending on qualifications

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/EQUIPMENT

• Standard office equipment

• Repetitive use of a keyboard

• May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, hazardous medications and disoriented or combative patients, or others.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.