Job Description

Travel Respiratory Therapist (RRT / CRT) Waimea, HI
Kauai Veteran's Memorial Hospital | 5-week contract | Quick start

About the role

The Travel Respiratory Therapist provides advanced respiratory care across inpatient and emergency settings, supporting a small island community hospital with critical cardiopulmonary needs. This short-term assignment requires an experienced, highly independent therapist comfortable with flexible shifts, limited resources, and rapid clinical decision-making.

Key responsibilities

• Initiate, manage, and monitor mechanical ventilation (volume- and pressure-cycled), including ventilator setup, adjustments based on ABG interpretation, and weaning protocols in consultation with physicians (IMV, CPAP, BiPAP, PEEP).

• Perform emergency airway management including participation in codes, CPR, intubation support, bag-mask ventilation, and airway stabilization during intra- and inter-facility transfers.

• Conduct comprehensive respiratory assessments using clinical exam, lab data, imaging, and history for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients, recommending appropriate therapies, diagnostics, and equipment.

• Administer respiratory treatments including aerosolized medications, oxygen therapy, chest physiotherapy, postural drainage, percussion, and vibration while monitoring and documenting patient responses and identifying contraindications.

• Perform pulmonary diagnostics such as pulse oximetry and basic pulmonary function testing (vital capacity, flow studies), and support pre-operative and screening evaluations as needed.

• Educate patients and families on disease management, inhaler and device use, breathing exercises, and home-care strategies; provide outpatient teaching when assigned.

• Participate in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation activities and, when required, assist with EEG-related tasks and sleep study (polysomnography) support as part of the cardiopulmonary services team.

• Maintain strict adherence to infection prevention, safety protocols, and HIPAA; clean, disinfect, and perform minor maintenance on respiratory equipment, ensuring a safe and organized care environment.

• Work flexible shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and potential assignment to other Kauai region facilities if operationally required by the hospital.

Required qualifications

• Active Hawaii Respiratory Therapist license (required at time of submission).

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) with NBRC credential.

• Minimum 5 years of recent hospital-based respiratory therapy experience, including ventilator management and critical care exposure.

• Current BLS certification; ACLS and PALS strongly preferred for critical and emergency coverage.

• Proven ability to work independently in a small, rural, acute-care setting with limited on-site resources and rotating responsibilities.

• Strong assessment, critical thinking, and communication skills with comfort treating all age groups and collaborating closely with physicians and nursing teams.

Facility and contract highlights

• Location: Kauai Veteran's Memorial Hospital, Waimea, HI (small community hospital, ~0 49 beds, island setting).

• EMR: Cerner.

• Contract: 5 weeks, quick-start, flexible shift expectations with required holiday coverage for major holidays as scheduled by the facility.

• Traveler is responsible for securing housing; candidates should research local housing and cost of living in Waimea/Kauai prior to submission.

Why take this assignment

This contract offers the opportunity to practice at the top of scope in a close-knit island hospital, delivering essential respiratory care to a diverse patient population while experiencing the unique lifestyle and culture of Kauai. Partnering with a people-first agency focused on allied health ensures dedicated support throughout the assignment so you can focus on excellent patient care.

Job Tags

Contract work, Temporary work, Local area, Immediate start, Flexible hours, Afternoon shift,

Similar Jobs