Respiratory Care Practitioner I - PFT, Full-Time, Days ($20,000 Sign-On Bonus)

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

1d • $39 - $50 • Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner I - PFT is a clinically competent, licensed professional who provides respiratory care to acutely ill patients through assessment, planning, evaluation, intervention, and treatment. The practitioner interacts effectively with patients, their significant others, and other healthcare team members, and provides care within the scope of their training. The role follows Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, values, Code of Ethics, Corporate Compliance Program, organizational policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

The practitioner coordinates and performs prescribed pulmonary function tests according to physician orders and ATS guidelines, including spirometry, bronchodilator testing, lung-volume measurement, DLCO, methacholine challenge, respiratory muscle testing, high-altitude simulation testing, six-minute walk tests, clinical-trial PFTs, and ABGs. The practitioner educates patients about testing and respiratory disease management; assesses patients and recognizes contraindications; performs quality assurance and equipment checks; and provides respiratory therapies across adult care settings, including medical-surgical units, emergency departments, and critical care. The role also includes responding to clinical emergencies, collaborating with the healthcare team, participating in multidisciplinary rounds, evaluating care practices, and precepting students.

Requirements

• CPFT or RPFT certification.
• Graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy program.
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Active or pending Illinois Respiratory Care License.
• Basic Life Support (BLS).

Nice To Haves

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• Adult Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform prescribed pulmonary function tests according to physician orders and ATS guidelines, including spirometry, bronchodilator testing, lung-volume testing, DLCO, methacholine challenge, respiratory muscle testing, high-altitude simulation testing, six-minute walk tests, research or clinical-trial PFTs, and ABGs.
• Provide appropriate instructions and education to patients during pulmonary function testing.
• Assess patients and recognize contraindications to pulmonary function testing.
• Perform daily equipment checks and calibration, maintain records, verify biological controls, monitor equipment performance, identify malfunctions, and coordinate preventive maintenance and service calls.
• Follow ATS/ERS guidelines, track test-quality indicators, and repeat testing when quality criteria are not met.
• Provide respiratory therapies and modalities in adult medical-surgical units and other adult care areas as expected by the hospital.
• Implement adult respiratory protocols, policies, and guidelines ordered for medical-surgical units.
• Deliver ordered therapies, assess patient responses, and adjust treatment frequency as appropriate.
• Monitor, record, and communicate patient conditions to other healthcare team members.
• Educate patients and families about respiratory disease management, community support groups, and other resources.
• Respond to clinical emergency management situations.
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounds and collaborate with the healthcare team.
• Evaluate and use respiratory care policies and procedures based on patient outcomes, current research, and best practices.
• Precept students.
• Model teamwork and cooperation and adhere to the Northwestern Medicine Code of Professionalism.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits, including tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.
• Lifecycle benefits.
• A wide range of benefits intended to support employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events.
• $20,000 sign-on bonus, subject to the stated eligibility restrictions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed