Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Port Washington, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist uses respiratory therapy processes and a range of clinical skills to assess patients, including pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiographs, hemodynamic and laboratory values, and blood gases and electrolytes. The therapist identifies the special needs of patients served by the department and operates specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care settings. Under physician direction, the therapist adapts to the policies and procedures of different service areas and performs duties required by assignment. The role includes providing ordered medication treatments and therapies, assisting physicians with procedures, maintaining and troubleshooting equipment, and educating patients about treatment purpose, technique, self-care, therapy goals, and disease management. The therapist collaborates with other departments, communicates and hands off patient care clearly, promotes patient safety, and reports safety events and near misses. The therapist also teaches and precepts new teammates, orientees, and students, and provides age-appropriate care informed by knowledge of growth and development across the life span. This is a full-time, 0.9 FTE night position at Aurora Medical Center Grafton, with 36 hours per week. The listed pay range is $33.05–$49.60 per hour. The position offers a $10,000 sign-on bonus, loan forgiveness and tuition assistance of up to $21,000 each, and a clinical ladder program with up to $6,000 in additional yearly bonus potential. Compensation is based on qualifications, skills, relevant experience or training, and internal equity.

Requirements

Current Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license issued by the state where 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 solve problems 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 develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with patients, team members, and physicians.
Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.
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 lift 50 pounds 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

Assess patients using respiratory therapy processes and information such as pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiographs, hemodynamic values, 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 medication treatments and therapies as ordered by a physician or prescribed under patient-driven respiratory protocols.
Clean and maintain equipment, ensure it functions properly, and troubleshoot it; identify when service or repair is needed.
Educate and instruct patients about the purpose and technique of treatment, self-care, therapy goals, and disease management.
Facilitate clinical problem solving and collaborate with other departments to provide education on patient management.
Adapt to and comply with policies and procedures for different service areas, and perform duties required by assignment under physician direction.
Communicate effectively, provide feedback, resolve conflicts, and deliver clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoffs.
Promote patient safety, apply appropriate safety measures, report safety events and near misses promptly, identify potential safety issues, and assist with corrective actions.
Teach and precept new teammates, orientees, and students.
Provide care appropriate to patients’ ages and demonstrate knowledge of life-span growth and development and age-specific needs.

Benefits

401(k) company contribution of 3% of eligible annual salary and dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 3%.
Opportunity for yearly merit increases within the salary range and annual increases based on performance.
Shift differentials for PM, nights, and weekends, depending on job profile.
$10,000 sign-on bonus.
Loan forgiveness up to $21,000.
Tuition assistance up to $21,000 and an Educational Assistance Program.
Clinical ladder program with up to $6,000 in additional yearly bonus potential.
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 financial wellness programs.
Premium pay, such as shift and on-call pay, based on the teammate’s job.
Incentive pay for select positions.