Respiratory Therapist - UPMC East

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UPMC East is currently hiring a fulltime Respiratory Therapist to join our team!

Are you a Respiratory Professional who is interested in working at a world-renowned medical center with an up-beat environment? Are you looking for a meaningful career with endless opportunities? Do you enjoy working hands on with patients, their families, and a supportive team to provide excellent patient care? If so, you might be a great fit for a role at UPMC!

UPMC East is currently hiring a regular, fulltime Respiratory Therapist to join our team. This position will work rotating (12-hour) shifts and have weekend/holiday responsibility.

UPMC offers a competitive benefits package, a sign-on bonus for qualified candidates and has a career ladder in place that allows you to grow professionally from both a technical and managerial standpoint.

*** UPMC is currently offering an enhanced sign on bonus for Respiratory Therapists to include $15,000 for new grads and $20,000 for experienced hires - both are eligible for an additional $10k upon completion of their third year of employment! ***

Candidates will be placed in the correct job title/salary grade based on education and experience.

We invite you to explore our opportunities today!

Purpose:
Under the general direction of a physician and by prescription, provides respiratory therapy services and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Defined responsibilities are performed in all patient populations and in all patient service areas.

Responsibilities:

Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication dosages. Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders
Assists to transport mechanically ventilated patients. Responds to all code situations.
Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators. Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients. Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy. Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment functions safely and efficiently.
Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders. Interprets clinical data to optimize patient clinical objectives.
Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes. Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises. Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case. Consults with physician in the event of adverse reactions.

Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required Respiratory therapists who receive their RRT credential from the NBRC after July 1, 2002 are required to maintain certification under the NBRC requirements

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Osteopathic Respiratory Care OR Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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5 Questions You Should Ask During the Interview

Here are 5 questions we think you could ask during your interview. Use them as a guide to help you write your own questions.

Remember: Always have at least 5 questions prepared for the interview. If you do not, you run the risk of looking unprepared.

What does success look like in this role, and how is it measured?

Why ask this? You want to ensure you have a clear understanding of expectations before accepting the role. Knowing how success is measured helps you hit the ground running and avoid surprises about performance evaluations. It also signals to the employer that you're results-driven.

Can you describe the team dynamic and the company culture?

Why ask this? Skills and experience matter, but if the work environment isn’t a good fit, you won’t be happy or productive. This question helps you gauge whether the company values collaboration, how teams interact, and whether the culture aligns with your work style and values.

What are the biggest challenges facing the person in this role right now?

Why ask this? Every job has challenges, and it’s better to know them upfront. This helps you assess whether the role is a good fit for your strengths and whether the company is realistic about its expectations. If they hesitate to answer, it could be a red flag.

How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being??

Why ask this? Burnout is real, and some companies expect employees to sacrifice personal time for the job. By asking this, you’ll get a sense of how they value work-life balance, flexibility, and well-being—things that are crucial for job satisfaction and long-term success.

These questions help you make an informed decision while also showing your professionalism and strategic thinking!

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