Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Pediatric Complex Care

Advocate Health • Oak Lawn, IL

7d • $36 - $53 • Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist works with the outpatient Pediatric Complex Care team at Advocate Children's Hospital Oak Lawn. The unit cares for complex pediatric patients, many of whom have tracheostomies and require ventilator settings. The therapist supports patient assessment and respiratory treatment, operates specialized ventilators, educates patients and families, maintains equipment, and collaborates with physicians and other departments. The role requires adapting to department policies and service needs, promoting patient safety, and providing age-appropriate care.

This is a part-time, first-shift position with flexible hours that may vary Monday through Friday. The schedule may consist of two 10-hour shifts per week or an alternating pattern of three 8-hour shifts one week and two 8-hour shifts the next, for 40 hours per pay period. There are no weekends or major holidays. The position is based at Advocate Children's Hospital Oak Lawn, 4440 W 95th St.

Requirements

• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license issued by the state in which the team member practices.
• Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
• NPS certification is required.
• Graduate of an accredited respiratory care program, with a minimum of an associate degree.
• Five years of Respiratory Care experience, all within a pediatric environment.
• 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 develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with patients, teammates, and physicians.
• Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.
• Time-management skills, including 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 lift 50 pounds from floor to waist height.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds at waist height and carry it across various distances.
• Ability to lift 20 pounds from waist to overhead.
• Ability to push or pull using 30 pounds of force occasionally over long distances.
• Ability to demonstrate a stand-pivot transfer from bed to chair.
• Ability to perform a sliding transfer of a 150-pound person on a sheet across 2 feet with a second person.
• Ability to use safe body mechanics at all times.

Responsibilities

• Use 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.
• Identify and address the special needs of the patient population served by the department.
• Operate specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care settings and assist physicians with bedside or other applicable procedures.
• Provide medication treatments and therapies as ordered by physicians or prescribed through 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, technique, self-care, goals of therapy, and disease management.
• Facilitate clinical problem solving and collaborate with other departments to provide education on patient management.
• Follow applicable policies and procedures under physician direction, perform assigned tasks or special duties, and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors.
• Communicate effectively, provide feedback, resolve conflicts, and deliver clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoffs.
• Promote patient safety by applying safety measures, reporting safety events and near misses promptly, identifying potential issues, and assisting with corrective actions.
• Teach, educate, and precept new teammates, orientees, and students.
• Provide care appropriate to patients' ages and demonstrate knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan to assess and interpret age-specific care needs.

Benefits

• 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.
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree