Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Advocate Health•Milwaukee, WI

6d•$33 - $50•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory care across critical and non-critical care settings. 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 address the needs of the populations served. The therapist operates specialized ventilators, provides ordered medication treatments and therapies, assists physicians with procedures as applicable, and maintains and troubleshoots equipment. The therapist educates patients about therapy techniques, self-care, treatment goals, and disease management; collaborates with physicians and other departments; and adapts to assignments across service areas under physician direction. The role also supports patient safety, communicates and hands off patient care effectively, and teaches or precepts new teammates, orientees, and students. Care must be appropriate to patients’ age-specific needs across the lifespan. This is a full-time, 0.9 FTE night position at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, scheduled for 36 hours per week. The listed pay range is $33.05–$49.60 per hour. A $2,500 sign-on bonus, possible loan forgiveness of up to $21,000, and clinical ladder bonus potential of up to $6,000 per year are noted.

Requirements

Active 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, teammates, and physicians.
Ability to take initiative and collaborate 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 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-transfer a 150-pound person on a sheet across 2 feet.
Ability to use safe body mechanics at all times.

Responsibilities

Assess patients using respiratory therapy processes and 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 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 and maintain equipment, ensure it functions properly, troubleshoot issues, and identify when service or repair is needed.
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 educate them on patient management.
Adapt to policies and procedures across different service areas and perform duties required by assignments while maintaining performance and organizational standards.
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, educate, and precept new teammates, orientees, and students.
Provide care suited to patients’ ages and developmental needs by assessing and interpreting relevant patient information.

Benefits

Shift differentials for PM, night, and weekend shifts, based on job profile.
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.
Sign-on bonus of $2,500.
Possible loan forgiveness of up to $21,000.
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 other financial wellness programs.
Educational Assistance Program.
Premium pay such as shift and on-call pay, based on the teammate's job.
Incentive pay for select positions.