Respiratory Therapist - Pulmonary Function

Respiratory Care Practitioner

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Job Description

• Perform diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures as defined in the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice.
• Work performed in accordance with physician orders.
• Defined duties are performed in neonatal and pediatric patient populations.
• Administer oxygen, aerosolized medication via Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB), Intermittent Aerosol Therapy (IAT), and Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) and incentive breathing devices.
• Perform nasotracheal and artificial airway suctioning, CPR and bag-mask ventilation, pulse oximetry monitoring, arterial blood gas punctures, and bedside pulmonary mechanics.
• Conduct diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures, pulmonary function studies, EKGs, and cardiac monitoring.
• Assure correct set-up, safety, and function of all equipment/supplies necessary in the provision of patient care.
• Assure adherence to all infectious disease standards in the delivery of all patient care procedures.
• Understand pharmacological indications, dosages, and response to adverse drug reactions.
• Provide education to patients, families, physicians, nursing, and other members of the health care team.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Requirements

• Education

  • RCP: Completion of AMA 2 approved year Associates Degree or the equivalent program.
  • RCP Advanced: Completion of a 2-year AMA approved respiratory care program (Associates Degree or the equivalent).
  • Must maintain annual skill maintenance requirements.
  • Must maintain annual safety/compliance requirements.
  • Must maintain North Carolina annual license requirements for CEUs.

• Experience

  • RCP: None required.
  • RCP Advanced: Six months to one year of clinical experience following graduation from a respiratory care program.

• Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

  • RCP: North Carolina State Licensure or North Carolina State Provisional License, Certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). If CRT, must obtain RRT within 6 months of employment. Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), and any other applicable certifications applicable to the institution.
  • RCP Advanced: North Carolina State Licensure; Registry (RRT) by the National Association for Respiratory Care (NBRC); Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS); Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); Certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS); Certification in Neonatal Resuscitation (NRPS) if applicable to institution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge necessary to make appropriate clinical decisions and interactions relative to the specific age of a patient.
• Skills validation/certifications of competencies for the duties and responsibilities of this level.
• Must maintain annual skill and safety/compliance requirements.
• Must maintain North Carolina annual license requirements for CEUs.
• Customer service and communication expertise.
• Work involves contact with patients of all ages, family members, physicians, nursing, and all other members of the health care team.
• Work is performed in all areas of the hospital.
• Required to carry emergency airway bag weighing approximately 20 pounds.
• Work requires walking, running, climbing, and bending.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.