Kern Medical·Bakersfield, California
Administers respiratory therapies, including mechanical ventilation and aerosolized drugs, while performing diagnostic procedures like lung function studies. Responds to hospital-wide emergency calls and maintains detailed clinical records for patients of all ages.
Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.
Respiratory Therapist I/II/III/IV - Full-Time
The estimated pay for this position is $29.4142 to $54.9400 per hour.
The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%).
This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position.
Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses.
In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.
This is the entry level of the Respiratory Therapist flexible classification series. The Respiratory Therapist I works under direct supervision in carrying out routine medical technical therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. The Respiratory Therapist I administers respiratory therapy under the direct or indirect supervision of an experienced Respiratory Therapist II, III or IV.
This is the journey level in the Respiratory Therapy flexible classification series. The Respiratory Therapist II is more fully trained and experienced, with work being distinguished by increased consultation with physicians, increased training responsibilities and the use of more complex treatment techniques. This level may be assigned off-site to perform duties that are consistent within this classification. This level works under supervision and carries out routine medical technical therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
This is the advanced journey level in the Respiratory Therapist flexible classification series. The Respiratory Therapist III is distinguished by increased consultation with physicians, increased training responsibilities and the use of more complex treatment techniques. This level works with a minimum of supervision to carry out medical technical therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and may be assigned off-site to perform duties that are consistent within this classification. The Respiratory Therapist III classification is distinguished from the Respiratory Therapist II classification by requiring demonstrated competency with more complex, continuous mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary and electrocardiography procedures.
This is the highest level in the Respiratory Therapist flexible classification series. The Respiratory Therapist IV is fully competent in the use of the most complex treatment techniques and assists in training others in these techniques. This level works with a minimum of supervision and carries out routine medical technical therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, and may be assigned off-site to perform duties that are consistent within this classification.
Administers IPPB therapy.
Performs humidity and aerosol therapy.
Administers medical gas and pulmonary drainage procedures.
Performs cardiorespiratory resuscitation.
Administers aerosolized drugs.
Provides continuous mechanical ventilation; maintains artificial airways.
Performs bedside lung function studies.
Performs incentive spirometry.
Cleans and prepares equipment.
Implements infection control and demonstrates knowledge of aseptic techniques.
Responds to emergency calls throughout the hospital.
Documents care given; maintains records of treatment given; generates necessary documents for charges or record keeping.
Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.
Applicants shall be identified as "Respiratory Care Practitioner certification applicants" and must pass the Respiratory Care Practitioner examination during their probationary period in order to comply with the RCPA. Failure to pass this examination within the probationary period will result in termination.
Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment.
Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.
Eligible for registration with the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Certified by the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT).
Possession of a valid, current license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner issued by the State of California.
Possession of a Class C California Driver’s License may be required by assignment to off-site locations.
Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment.
Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.
Eligible for registration with the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) OR Certified by the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT).
Possession of a valid, current license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in the State of California AND One (1) year of experience as a Respiratory Therapist having primary responsibility for ventilator management of critical care patients
Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment.
Possession of a Class C California driver’s license may be required by assignment to off-site locations.
Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.
Registered with the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Possession of a valid, current license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, issued by the State of California.
Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment.
Possession of a Class C California Driver’s License may be required by assignment to off-site locations.
All therapy machines, both pressure and volume ventilators; all forms of oxygen therapy; gases and gas laws; safe respiratory practices; equipment, procedures and techniques; pulmonary function testing and gas analysis; anatomy and physiology; nursing arts; and clinical considerations.
Understand and follow written and oral instructions; organize and prioritize basic tasks, communicate effectively and work well with others; maintain confidentiality of information.
A background check may be conducted for this classification.
All Kern County employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec.3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2-Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following a significant emergency or disaster.
If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.
If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.
Requires a valid California license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner and BLS/RQI certification. Depending on the level (I-IV), candidates may need RRT or CRTT certification and specific experience in critical care ventilator management.
Market context
California allied-health employers often look for respiratory therapists because hospitals and acute-care settings need coverage across inpatient, emergency, and critical care units. These roles are competitive because employers usually want a CoARC-accredited graduate degree, a California Respiratory Care Practitioner license, RRT or CRT certification, and recent experience. Before applying, confirm your license and certification details match the posting; job requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving you research time.
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