At Barnes-Jewish Hospital, respiratory therapists find unique opportunities for contribution and a level of respect that make their careers exciting and satisfying. We’re known for our collaborative environment, where you’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with physicians and nurses to provide our patients the highest quality of care. We think our team approach not only promotes consistency of care for patients, but helps our respiratory professionals build professional relationships that inspire growth.
As one of the country's leading medical institutions, we offer respiratory therapists exposure to clinical specialties not available in many other hospitals. In fact, St. Louis’ Barnes-Jewish Hospital was one of the first facilities in the country with a service fully dedicated to lung transplantation.
You’ll also find an environment that strives for excellence in care—and in putting people first, with:
A Total Quality approach
Several staff and supervisors comprise our Unit Practice Committee (UPC), a group that addresses issues regarding patient care and optimizing the work environment. In conjunction with the UPC, additional staff committees include Shared Governance, Reward & Recognition, Research, Evidence Based Practice, and Quality Improvement.
The most advanced techniques
Respiratory therapists utilize a variety of equipment to administer leading-edge care and assist in nurse/physician education. Our ventilator fleet includes the PB 840, Viasys Vela and the Pulmonetic LTV. Frequently used modalities include Bi-PAP/CPAP, nitric-oxide, and high frequency oscillation.
Best Practices in action
The Respiratory staff uses scientific data to develop its policies and protocols. Departmental research includes studies covering HMEs, ventilator circuit changes, cannula humidification, and physician- versus therapist-driven orders. Our research studies have garnered national acclaim and have been published in journals such as Chest, AARC Times, Respiratory Care, and Critical Care.
Learning and growth opportunities
The Respiratory department provides education in various capacities throughout the hospital. The staff assists in the education of hospital personnel through participation in skills competency assessments, physician house staff orientations, and patient care technician classes. The department is also a clinical affiliate of area colleges and clinical internships, and rotations are available for several colleges nationally.
Diversity and Cultural Competence
The Respiratory department at Barnes-Jewish Hospital has partnered with The Center for Diversity and Cultural Competence to develop cultural competence training tailored to their specific needs. These sessions involved education and coaching on how to adopt behavior changes that ultimately improve patient care, safety and quality.