Shift: 40 hours per week with on call weekend rotation
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Department: Respiratory Therapy
Facility: University Hospital – 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO
Compensation:
Base Pay Range: $78,520.00 - $127,961.60 per year, based on experience- Choose Between Sign-On Bonus -OR- Retention Rewards
o Retention Rewards: Up to $15,000
§ Relocation Support: Additional $5,000 if moving from over 50 miles away
§ Retention Reward (Option 1): $2,000 per year for up to 5 years, totaling $10,000
§ Student Loan Repayment (Option 2): $2,000 per year toward student loans, up to 5 years, totaling $10,000
o Note: Details will be provided during the HR interview. Policy language is available upon request.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Respiratory Therapy Department at University of Missouri Health Care provides comprehensive, patient‑centered respiratory services across a large and diverse academic health system. Our therapists work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary clinical teams to deliver high‑quality care to patients of all ages and acuity levels.
We support multiple specialty Intensive Care Units—including Medical, Cardiac, Neuroscience, Surgical, Neonatal, and Pediatric ICUs—within a designated Level I Trauma Center. With 188 intensive care beds and 572 acute care beds, therapists have the opportunity to care for high‑acuity, complex patient populations. In addition, our Level III Nursery provides specialized respiratory support for premature and medically fragile newborns.
Therapists work with a wide array of invasive and non‑invasive ventilator platforms, including Servo, Hamilton, Drager, Bella Vista, and the Nihon Kohden 330, ensuring experience with modern and advanced respiratory technologies. Our department also utilizes several Respiratory Therapist–driven protocols—Bronchodilator, Ventilator, ED Assess & Treat, and Airway Clearance—to support therapist autonomy and optimize patient outcomes.
We offer flexibility through standard 12‑hour shifts (0700–1900 / 1900–0700) as well as non‑traditional options such as 0700–1500 and 1500–2300, helping support work‑life balance while maintaining consistent clinical coverage.
Respiratory therapists are actively engaged in advanced respiratory care, including invasive and non‑invasive ventilation management, airway management, aerosol therapy, airway clearance techniques, emergency response, and neonatal/pediatric respiratory support. Therapists also have opportunities to grow into expanded roles—such as serving on the Children’s Transport Team as a Transport RT.
Professional development is supported through a structured RT Career Ladder, encouraging skill advancement, leadership development, and ongoing clinical education. Our department recently completed a renovation that includes updated workspaces, dedicated meeting rooms, and a large staff break room designed to support collaboration, comfort, and team cohesion.
At University of Missouri Health Care, our Respiratory Therapy Department offers a dynamic, supportive environment where therapists can develop a broad clinical skill set, engage in high‑acuity patient care, and advance their careers within a progressive and collaborative practice setting.
ABOUT THE JOB
MU Health Care is looking for a compassionate, confident, and mission‑driven leader who is ready to make a meaningful impact in Respiratory Care. We seek someone who thrives in a fast‑paced clinical environment and brings a calm, steady presence to both patients and team members. The ideal candidate is a natural mentor—someone who builds others up, leads by example, and finds energy in developing high‑performing teams. This role is perfect for a proactive problem‑solver who embraces collaboration, communicates with clarity, and remains adaptable in constantly evolving situations. We’re looking for a professional who is dedicated to exceptional patient care and motivated to elevate practice standards across the department. If you bring heart, leadership, and a commitment to excellence, you’ll find a rewarding home here at MU Health Care.
ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE
MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that’s largely a result of the incredible culture and team we’ve built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger — to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.
Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to seven hospitals, including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions — with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.
Learn more about MU Health Care.
Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
- Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
- Generous paid leave and paid time off, including ten holidays
- Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years
- Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
- Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more
- See a comprehensive list of benefits here.
DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION
Plan, assign, and review the work of staff. Demonstrate appropriate methods, procedures, and processes for staff to complete expected work assignments. Frequently review staff’s work in progress to ascertain the level of expectation is being met. Conduct staff rounding and shift huddles. Participate in the interview process for respiratory therapy staff.- Provide Respiratory Therapy activities including collection and analysis of blood gas samples, oxygen therapy and specialty gas administration, mechanical ventilation, inhaled medication administration, airway clearance techniques, airway maintenance, and pulmonary diagnostic testing/clinical monitoring. Act as a member of the Code Blue, Rapid Response Team, and Trauma Response Team. Provide patient documentation through the electronic medical record.
- Assist management in monitoring department operations. Perform Performance Improvement/Quality Assurance monitoring.
- Assist in the development or modification of technical aspects of procedures and communicate to employees. Conduct in-services as assigned.
- Coordinate effectively with other departments to provide patient care needs.
- Follow and monitor infection control and safety standards.
- Educate and advise patients’ families on respiratory therapy procedures. Provide education to students and other health care providers.
- Develop, coordinate, and maintain daily staffing schedules to ensure the appropriate level of unit coverage and continuity of care.
- Monitor time and attendance in alignment with MU Health Care policies and practices, ensuring accuracy of records and timely submittal/approval for payroll purposes.
- May complete unit/department-specific duties as outlined in department documents.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) or (RCP-T) licensure by the Missouri Respiratory Care board.
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Two (2) years of experience in respiratory care.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in health science.
- Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and requires ambulating, reaching, and moving objects weighing up to and over 20 lbs. This role also routinely comes into contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses. This position is in a health care facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holiday and work during inclement weather will be required.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
