Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Advocate Health

1d•$36 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory care across patient populations and service areas. The role uses respiratory therapy processes and clinical data—including pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiographs, hemodynamic and laboratory values, blood gases, and electrolytes—to assess patients and identify their needs. The therapist operates specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care settings, assists physicians with procedures, and provides ordered medications and therapies or those authorized by patient-driven respiratory protocols. The therapist maintains and troubleshoots equipment, educates patients about therapy and disease management, and collaborates with physicians and other departments to solve clinical problems and support patient care. The role also includes adapting to the needs and policies of different service areas, communicating effectively during patient handoffs, promoting safety, and teaching or precepting new teammates, orientees, and students. Care must be appropriate to each patient's age and developmental needs. This is a full-time, 0.9 FTE position at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Illinois, working third-shift nights for 36 hours per week. The listed pay range is $35.50–$53.25 per hour. A $12,500 sign-on bonus is available. The posting also mentions loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement up to $20,000 each, and potential annual clinical ladder bonus opportunities of up to $6,000 for eligible Respiratory Therapists.

Requirements

Current Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license issued by the state in which the team member practices.
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.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Graduate of an accredited respiratory care program with at least an associate degree.
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 use of email and electronic medical record systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to build rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with patients, team members, and physicians; take initiative; and work collaboratively.
Time-management skills and the 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; lift 20 pounds from waist to overhead; and 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 a 150-pound person on a sheet across two feet.
Must use safe body mechanics at all times.

Responsibilities

Assess patients using respiratory therapy processes and relevant clinical information, including pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiographs, hemodynamic and laboratory values, blood gases, and electrolytes.
Identify and address the special needs of patient populations served by the department.
Operate specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care settings.
Assist physicians with bedside or other procedures as applicable to the facility.
Provide medications and respiratory therapies as ordered by a physician or prescribed under patient-driven respiratory protocols.
Clean, maintain, and verify the functionality of equipment; troubleshoot problems and identify needs for service or repair.
Educate and instruct patients on the purpose and technique of therapy, self-care, therapy goals, and disease management.
Facilitate clinical problem-solving and collaborate with other departments to provide education on patient management.
Adapt to policies and procedures across assigned service areas and perform required tasks or special duties while maintaining performance standards and organizational behaviors.
Communicate effectively, provide feedback, resolve conflicts, and deliver clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoffs.
Promote patient safety, report safety events and near misses promptly, identify potential safety issues, and assist with corrective actions.
Teach, educate, and precept new teammates, orientees, and students.
Provide care appropriate to patients' ages and developmental needs, assessing and interpreting information to identify age-specific requirements.

Benefits

$12,500 sign-on bonus available.
Loan forgiveness program and tuition reimbursement up to $20,000 each.
Clinical Ladder Program with up to $6,000 in additional yearly bonus opportunities for eligible Respiratory Therapists.
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.
Premium pay, including shift and on-call pay, for applicable teammates.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.