Respiratory Therapist

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community health care to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, Melrose/Wakefield Healthcare, an expansive home care network and a large clinically integrated physician network, Tufts Medicine has more than 15,000 dedicated employees and caregivers.

Why Join Us? At Tufts Medicine, we’re more than a health system – we’re a community of the brightest minds and the biggest hearts in healthcare.  We combine academic innovation with compassion and community.  If that excites you, then you belong with us.

Competitive salaries & benefits

Medical, Dental and Vision benefits start day one

403(b) Retirement with company match

Tuition Reimbursement

Opportunities for career growth

 Job Overview 

This position is responsible for respiratory care for patients of all age groups, who are diagnosed with cardio-pulmonary dysfunction.  Sets up various types of equipment to administer prescribed doses of medicinal gases and aerosolized drugs.  Administers all types of respiratory therapy treatments including, oxygen delivery, mechanical ventilator management, diagnostic procedures (e.g., blood gas sampling and analysis, bedside pulmonary function testing, pulse oximetry, EKG's, BCLS, function and troubleshooting of respiratory therapy equipment). Works cooperatively within department and other services to create a system of quality health care. 

Location: Lowell General Hospital - 295 Varnum Ave - Lowell, MA

Hours: 36 hours - Night Shift - 11:00pm-7:00am

Minimum Qualifications

1. Associate’s degree from an accredited Respiratory Care program. 

2. Licensed by the state of Massachusetts to provide respiratory care. 

3. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). 

4. One (1) year of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. 

5. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Initiates patients on invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation; routinely checks and maintains proper function of ventilator in conjunction with the physician order.  

2. Abides with infection control guideline for invasive and non-invasive equipment per departmental policy.  Changes and adjusts ventilator parameters based on clinical assessment and blood gas analysis in accordance with physician orders.  

3. Weans patients from mechanical ventilation and other therapies through patient assessment and adjusting parameters within prescribed protocols. 

4. Provides services to analyze blood specimens for blood gases, glucose and electrolytes in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. 

5. Administers Positive Pressure Breathing, (e.g. CPAP or BiPAP), which consists of the application of positive pressure to the upper airway to promote better lung inflation and aerosol distribution.