Respiratory Therapist

Avera Health, a regional health system based in Sioux Falls, SD, is seeking a compassionate and detail-oriented Respiratory Therapist to join our Healthcare & Medical Services team. In this role, you will provide high-quality respiratory care to patients across a variety of acute and chronic conditions, supporting our mission to improve health and serve communities with respect and dignity. Working collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals, you will assess, plan, and deliver respiratory therapies for patients of all ages in inpatient and outpatient settings. The Respiratory Therapist will perform comprehensive patient assessments, including reviewing medical histories, interpreting physician orders, and evaluating respiratory status using diagnostic tools such as pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas analysis, and pulmonary function testing. You will initiate, monitor, and adjust oxygen therapy, aerosolized medication treatments, chest physiotherapy, and mechanical ventilation in accordance with established protocols and provider directives, ensuring patient safety and comfort at all times. You will manage ventilator setups and weaning, troubleshoot respiratory equipment, and respond promptly to changes in patient condition, including participation in emergency response situations such as rapid response and code blue events. The role includes administering and monitoring non-invasive ventilation modalities, assisting with airway management procedures, performing nasotracheal and endotracheal suctioning, and ensuring proper operation, cleaning, and maintenance of respiratory therapy devices. Accurate documentation is a critical component of this position. The Respiratory Therapist will record assessments, treatments, patient responses, and education activities in the electronic medical record, adhering to regulatory and departmental standards. You will collaborate closely with the interdisciplinary team to develop and adjust individualized care plans, communicate clinical findings, and contribute to discharge planning by educating patients and families on respiratory care techniques, equipment use, and disease management strategies. Aligned with Avera Health’s culture of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship, the Respiratory Therapist will demonstrate strong communication skills, empathy, and respect in all patient and team interactions. You will participate in quality improvement initiatives, follow evidence-based practice guidelines, and support infection prevention and patient safety protocols. This role offers the opportunity to grow professionally within a supportive healthcare network that encourages continuing education, specialty certification, and participation in clinical projects. The ideal candidate is a licensed Respiratory Therapist with current credentials, competent in modern respiratory therapy techniques, and comfortable working in a fast-paced clinical environment that may require rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. By joining Avera Health, you will become part of a collaborative team committed to excellence in respiratory care and to improving patient outcomes throughout the Upper Midwest.