Graduate Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Pediatrics

Advocate Health•Oak Lawn, IL

5d•$36 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn is hiring a Graduate Respiratory Therapist to provide respiratory care to neonatal and pediatric patients. New team members receive a robust orientation and develop skills to work in the Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, Pediatric Cardiac ICU, pediatric general floors, and Pediatric Emergency Department. The pediatric respiratory care department serves only neonatal and pediatric patients and offers professional and educational growth opportunities. The therapist administers and coordinates respiratory care procedures and modalities in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Using evidence-based practices, clinical decision-making, and skilled communication, the therapist helps create a safe patient environment and a positive patient experience across the continuum of care. In designated areas, the role works under the guidance of a licensed respiratory therapist. This is a full-time position of 36 hours per week on the third shift, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with every-other-weekend and holiday rotation. New graduates and candidates graduating in December 2026 are welcome to apply.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited respiratory care program with at least an associate degree.
Hold a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license issued by the state where practicing.
Hold an active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the NBRC within 12 months, or an active NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential if received before January 1, 2023.
Hold Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association.
Demonstrate effective organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Use problem-solving and decision-making skills for patient care and equipment use.
Have proficient computer skills, including email and electronic medical record systems.
Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
Build rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with patients, teammates, and physicians; take initiative and work collaboratively.
Demonstrate time-management skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions.
Meet the role's physical requirements, including specified lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and patient-transfer tasks, and use safe body mechanics.

Responsibilities

Use respiratory therapy processes and clinical information—including pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiographs, hemodynamic and laboratory values, blood gases, and electrolytes—to support patient assessment and address population-specific needs.
Operate specialized ventilators in critical- and non-critical-care settings and assist physicians with bedside or other procedures as applicable.
Provide medication treatments and therapies according to physician orders and prescribed patient-driven respiratory protocols.
Clean, maintain, and verify the functionality of equipment; troubleshoot equipment and identify service or repair needs.
Educate patients about therapy purposes, techniques, self-care, treatment goals, and disease management.
Facilitate clinical problem-solving and collaborate with other departments to educate them on patient management.
Adapt to policies and procedures across assigned service areas, perform assigned tasks and special duties, and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors under physician direction.
Communicate effectively, give and receive feedback, resolve conflicts, and provide clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoffs.
Promote patient safety by applying appropriate safety measures, reporting safety events and near misses promptly, identifying potential issues, and assisting with corrective actions.
Teach, educate, and precept new teammates, orientees, and students.
Provide age-appropriate care by applying knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan, assessing patient status, and interpreting information relevant to each patient's age-specific needs.

Benefits

$15,000 sign-on bonus available.
Loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement of up to $20,000 each.
Clinical Ladder Program with eligible Respiratory Therapists able to earn up to $6,000 in additional yearly bonus opportunities.
Paid time off programs.
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
Educational Assistance Program.
Shift, on-call, and other premium pay based on the teammate's job.
Incentive pay for select positions and potential annual increases based on performance.