Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Pediatrics

Advocate Health•Oak Lawn, IL

5d•$36 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to provide and coordinate comprehensive respiratory care for neonatal and pediatric patients. New team members receive an extensive 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 respiratory care procedures and modalities in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Using evidence-based practices, clinical decision-making, and effective communication, the therapist helps create a safe patient environment and a positive patient experience across the continuum of care. The role is full-time, 36 hours per week, on the third shift (7 p.m.–7 a.m.), with every-other-weekend and holiday rotation.

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 the team member practices.
Hold an active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) within 12 months, or an active NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential if received before January 1, 2023.
Hold Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Effective organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to problem-solve and make decisions related to patient care and equipment use.
Proficient computer skills, including email and electronic medical record systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with patients, teammates, and physicians; take initiative; and work collaboratively.
Time-management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions.
Ability to operate all equipment necessary to perform the job.
Ability to lift 50 pounds from knee to waist and occasionally from floor to waist; lift and carry 40 pounds at waist height across various distances; and lift 20 pounds from waist to overhead.
Ability to push or pull using 30 pounds of force occasionally over long distances.
Ability to perform a stand-pivot transfer from bed to chair and, with a second person, slide-transfer a 150-pound person on a sheet across two feet.
Ability to use safe body mechanics at all times.

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 and instruct patients on the purpose, technique, self-care, goals of therapy, and disease management.
Facilitate clinical problem-solving and collaborate with other departments to provide education on patient management.
Adapt to the policies and procedures of assigned service areas, perform required tasks and special duties, and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors under physician direction.
Communicate effectively, provide feedback, resolve conflicts, and give clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoffs.
Promote patient safety by applying safety measures, reporting safety events and near misses promptly, identifying potential safety 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 and assessing and interpreting information relevant to each patient's needs.

Benefits

$15,000 sign-on bonus available.
May be eligible for a loan forgiveness program of up to $20,000.
Clinical Ladder Program with up to $6,000 in additional annual bonus opportunities for eligible Respiratory Therapists.
Shift and other premium pay, as applicable.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual performance-based increases.
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.
Professional and educational growth opportunities.