Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

• Position Summary
• • The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) administers all forms of respiratory care, both critical and general therapy, to the various populations served. The RRT performs all aspects of airway maintenance including lung expansion therapy, bronchial hygiene, administration of inhaled medications, and all forms of oxygen therapy. Manages mechanical ventilation and troubleshoots associated critical care equipment. Performs endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy tube maintenance, and performs suctioning. Performs arterial punctures for arterial blood gases (ABG), blood gas analysis and maintains quality controls, maintenance, and record-keeping for ABG equipment. Performs electrocardiograms and cardiac stress testing.
  • Integrates knowledge and skills with effective patient interaction to provide useful information. The decisions and actions taken are determined in an ethical manner practicing compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of each person. Effectively communicates with patients/families, visitors, colleagues, physicians, leadership, and volunteers. All areas of practice and care delivery are provided to achieve and maintain top-decile results and outcomes for patient experience, quality, and patient safety. Follows and adheres to UNC Health Appalachian's policies and procedures, regulatory requirements, and standards of behavior; practices within the practice and scope of their license.
  • Demonstrates the UNC Health Appalachian's Mission, Vision, and Values in action and approaches work in a way that reflects action, efficiency, and personal accountability. Demonstrates professional conduct, effective communication, and effective completion of tasks. Effectively and professionally manages working relationships with coworkers, physicians, and all UNC Health Appalachian team members in a way that promotes a healthy work environment. Responds quickly and accurately to emergencies in the work environment and/or to changes in patient condition. Performs duties under general supervision. Always assists coworkers, patients, families, and visitors regardless of the patient assignment, so long as the assistance is in-line with their scope of practice and license.
• Position Qualifications
• • Minimum Education
    
    
    • Graduate of a two-year accredited Respiratory Therapy program.
  • Experience
    
    
    • Previous experience of one year in acute care setting preferred.
  • Required Registration/License/Certification
    
    
    • Registry with the NBRC or registry eligible by the NBRC standards.
    • Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association is required at the time of hire.
    • ACLS and PALS certifications from the American Heart Association are required within one year of hire.
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
    
    
    • Successful completion of training modules in Cardiac Stress Testing, Endotracheal Intubation, Neurology Testing, Pulmonary Function Testing, Blood Gas Lab, Arterial Catheterization, and Electrocardiogram training must be completed during the probationary period.
    • Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with the public, patients, family, staff, and physicians and acts within the chain of command, utilizing positive verbal and non-verbal skills.
    • Competent in delivering safe and effective patient care within legal limits of license and certifications and hospital policies and procedures.
    • Knowledge of the continuum of care provided in the patient care department.
    • Ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service to patients, family, staff, and physicians.
  • Physical Demands
    
    
    • Continuous standing and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift.
    • Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day.
    • Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces > 1 hour per day.
    • Frequently mobilizes patients > 4 hours per day.
    • Frequently per shift: lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 50 lbs.
    • Frequently per hour: bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns, and reaches.
    • Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity.
    • Frequently per hour: exposed to soft voices > 3 feet away.
    • Frequently per hour: exposed to close eye work.
    • Infrequently per shift: may be exposed to ionizing/non-ionizing radiation exposure, including x-ray and microwave.
  • Working Conditions
    
    
    • Regularly exposed to the risk of blood-borne diseases.
    • Exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment.
    • Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens.
    • Exposed to unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.
    • Handles emergency or crisis calls.
    • Subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays).

Benefits and Compensation

Compensation is commensurate upon education and experience. Benefits begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment to begin from the new hire orientation date. This position is a non-exempt position.

• Comprehensive benefits package to include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as HSA.
• Supplemental insurance to include short and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, legal insurance, etc.
• Student loan refinancing benefit and college savings fund as well as tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off - front-loaded for the first year for qualifying part-time and full-time employees (amount based on status and FTE at the time of hire) - paid time off accrual begins following the first year of employment. Cash out option also available for qualifying employees by meeting specified criteria.
• Paid parental leave - qualifying employees are eligible to use two (2) weeks of paid parental leave anytime during the first six (6) months following the birth or adoption of a child - to be taken consecutively.
• Employee Wellness program - Love Your Life - award-winning voluntary wellness program available for UNC Health Appalachian employees. Employees enrolled on the organization's health plan can enroll with our health screening (biometrics and labs) and earn program incentives. Employees who are not enrolled on the organization's health plan can participate in online wellness activities for a chance to earn quarterly prize drawings.
• Employee to Employee (E2E) program - Caring for our own. Employee program that is solely funded by voluntary employee donations. The money is used to financially assist co-workers that are experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
• Employee perks to include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change).
• Take a virtual tour of our new Schaefer Family Patient Care Tower by clicking here.

About UNC Health Appalachian

UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply "making life better."

About UNC Health

UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen.

For accommodations or additional information, contact recruitment@apprhs.org.