Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Respiratory Services - Per Diem 12 Hour Rotating Shift (Non-Exempt) (Union)

Responsibilities include diagnosing and treating chronic respiratory diseases, prescribing medications, and advising patients on the management of their illnesses. Under direct supervision Administrative Technologist, and as directed by physician, set up and operate various types of respiratory care equipment to be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and/or illness.

Essential Duties:

• Performs diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory procedures to include oxygen therapy, chest physiotherapy, hyperinflation therapy, aerosol therapy, and nebulizer treatments.
• Performs arterial blood gas draws and analysis.
• Setup, operate and troubleshoots respiratory equipment.
• Assist physician with bedside and / or comprehensive bronchoscopy.
• Ventilator management.
• Participates in the interdisciplinary plan of care.
• Performs cardio-pulmonary resuscitation as part of the code blue team.
• Maintains a clean work area.
• Adheres to infection control standards.
• Nitric oxide administration and monitoring (UH only).
• Participates on transport of patients.
• Documents patient charting.
• Adheres to charging and billing procedures.
• Operates and monitors non-invasive monitoring devices.
• Assesses patient’s response to therapy and makes recommendations to the physician and health care team.
• Communicate changes in workload with the Lead RCP.
• Perform other tasks as designated by the Director or Manager.

Required Qualifications:

• Req High School or equivalent

• Req Excellent diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Req Excellent communication, interpersonal, and patient service skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pref Associate’s Degree Respiratory Care
• Pref 1 year 12 - 24 months Experience - All aspects of respiratory care in an acute care hospital: arterial blood gas analysis, therapeutic modalities for oxygen and medication delivery, chest physiotherapy, patient assessment and related respiratory care techniques and procedures.
• Pref Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Respiratory Care Practitioner - RCP (CA DCA)
• Req Registered Respiratory Therapist - RRT (NBRC)
• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

The hourly rate range for this position is $39.00 - $66.45. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.