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.