Registered Respiratory Therapist – Pediatric Critical Care Transport

McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) is seeking a passionate and experienced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) to join our team and work primarily on the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team (PCCTT). This role offers a unique opportunity to deliver life-saving care to critically ill pediatric patients in a dynamic and challenging transport environment.

 In this role, you will provide advanced respiratory care to critically ill pediatric patients during emergency critical care transports. This position requires clinical expertise, quick decision-making, outstanding communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic and high-pressure environment. 

The PCCTT works alongside the PICU at MCH. The team consists of a PCCTT Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) transport dyad working in collaboration with a Transport Physician Lead - Medical Control Officer (MCO). The PCCTT supports acute pediatric populations by providing transport and stabilization to acutely ill or unstable patients from birth (greater than 3kg) to 18 years of age. The team provides a 24/7 service and supports provincial mandates for safe and timely transport of critically ill neonates and children to, and between, tertiary centers for specialty care. The interdisciplinary team provides family-centered care with a strong focus on evidence-based practice and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Involvement in all aspects of extramural transport of critically ill patients
• Providing airway management expertise, including problem solving and delivery of adjunctive interventions/therapies to support safe mobilization of patients 
• Providing ventilation management including noninvasive and invasive ventilation support for patients
• Performing critical assessments of health status including history, physical examination and review of diagnostic studies; and relaying findings to the delegated MCO
• Collaborating and partnering with transport team members (physicians, nurses, paramedics) and community care providers at referring hospitals to ensure comprehensive patient care
• Maintaining equipment, ensuring readiness, and preforming quality assurance checks
• Participation in continuing education, training, simulations, and quality improvement initiatives to maintain proficiency in transport-specific knowledge and skills
• When not required for transport duties, works collaboratively with the Pediatric RRT team to support the MCH PICU, inpatient wards, and the Pediatric Emergency Department

• Graduate of an accredited program in Respiratory Therapy
• Current registration with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
• Successful completion of the Canadian Board of Respiratory Care (CBRC) exam
• Certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification
• Current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or willing to complete within six (6) months of start date
• Demonstrated ability to perform well in critical high stress situations
• Minimum of two (2) years recent experience in a pediatric setting
• Minimum of two (2) years recent critical care experience preferred
• Minimum of two (2) years recent experience in Critical Care Transport
• Demonstrates knowledge of pediatric growth and development
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with all team members, patients, and families
• Demonstrates teaching and mentoring skills with recommended completion of the Preceptor Workshop
• Demonstrates strong critical thinking, self-assessment/reflective practice, conflict management, and problem solving skills
• Exercises good judgement, organizational and leadership skills
• Ability to work in confined and mobile spaces and lift up to 80 kg 
• Demonstrates ability to work and manage in high-stress situations and handle competing priorities
• Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively on a multi-disciplinary patient care team and to work independently and be self-directed