Neonatal & Pediatric Respiratory Therapist - Augusta - Full time

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About the Facility

Learn more about Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center , including our teams, culture, and campus environment:

Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center | Wellstar Health System

Hours: Full Time Nights, 36 Hours per week

$10,000 Sign-On Bonus Available

Job Overview:

We are seeking an expert Respiratory Therapist to join our premier academic medical center and tertiary care center. In this role, you will deliver high-acuity respiratory care within our Level IV NICU, Pediatric ICU (PICU), Congenital Heart Program, and accredited Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Center. This position requires mastery of ultra-protective ventilation strategies for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) micro-preemies, active participation in trauma resuscitations, and collaboration on ECMO management. Qualified candidates will also have the optional opportunity to undergo specialized training to join our dedicated NICU/PICU critical care transport teams.

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Key Responsibilities

Micro-Preemie & Ultra-Low Birth Weight Care

· Manage fragile neonates: Apply expert clinical judgment when managing the unique respiratory needs of micro-preemies (infants born as early as 22 weeks gestation).

· Execute gentle ventilation: Utilize specialized lung-protective strategies, volume-targeted ventilation, and micro-tidal volumes to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and chronic lung disease (CLD).

· Support resuscitation & delivery: Serve as the designated airway expert at high-risk, extremely premature deliveries, ensuring gentle stabilization, thermoregulation support, and early surfactant delivery.

· Maintain neuro-protection: Partner with nursing to provide care that aligns with minimal-stimulation protocols and neuro-protective positioning during high-acuity respiratory interventions.

Critical Care & Advanced Ventilation

· Operate high-frequency vents: Manage High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) and High-Frequency Jet Ventilation (HFJV) protocols.

· Support cardiac care: Deliver targeted respiratory therapies for complex congenital heart disease patients pre- and post-op.

· Administer advanced gases: Manage inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) delivery using the Evolve INO system, alongside Heliox therapy.

· Manage ECMO patients: Collaborate with the perfusion and nursing teams to optimize lung-protective mechanical ventilation settings during VV- and VA-ECMO.

Cystic Fibrosis Care & Outpatient Support

· Provide specialized CF care: Deliver comprehensive inpatient and outpatient respiratory therapies tailored to pediatric cystic fibrosis patients within our accredited CF Center.

· Manage airway clearance: Perform and instruct on advanced airway clearance techniques (ACT), including high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) and positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy.

Bronchoscopy Support & Bedside Procedures

· Assist with bronchoscopies: Set up, maintain, and assist pulmonologists and intensivists during diagnostic and therapeutic rigid or flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopies.

· Manage procedural airways: Ensure optimal ventilation, oxygenation, and patient stabilization before, during, and immediately following therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.

Trauma Resuscitation & Transport Opportunities

· Stabilize trauma patients: Serve as a core member of the Level II Pediatric Trauma resuscitation team.

· Opt-in for transport: Choose to complete rigorous institutional training to qualify for high-risk NICU/PICU inter-facility transport teams (ground/air).

Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Discharge

· Participate in rounds: Partner daily with neonatologists, pediatric intensivists, pulmonologists, congenital heart surgeons, and ICU nurses during academic teaching rounds.

· Transition patients: Coordinate complex care pathways for technology-dependent infants and pediatric patients transitioning to home ventilation.

· Educate families: Train parents and caregivers on home ventilators, tracheostomy care, CF therapy regimens, and emergency troubleshooting.

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Required Qualifications

Education & Licensure

· Degree: Associate or bachelor’s degree in respiratory care from an accredited program.

· License: Active Georgia state Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license.

· Credential: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the NBRC.

Certifications

· Specialty: Preferred: Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NBRC-NPS)

· Life support: Required: BLS, PALS, and NRP certifications.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.