Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Pediatrics

Advocate Health•Park Ridge, NJ

5d•$36 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory care to pediatric patients at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge. The role uses respiratory therapy processes to assess patients, including review of pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiographs, hemodynamic and laboratory values, blood gases, and electrolytes. The therapist provides ordered medications and therapies, operates specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care settings, and assists physicians with procedures as applicable. The therapist maintains and troubleshoots equipment, educates patients about therapy and disease management, and collaborates with physicians and other departments to support patient care. The role also includes adapting to different service areas and assignments, clear communication and patient handoffs, promoting patient safety, and teaching or precepting new teammates, orientees, and students. Care must be appropriate to patients’ age-specific needs and developmental stages. This is a full-time position, scheduled for 36 hours per week on the third shift, 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with every-other-weekend and holiday rotation. The listed pay range is $35.50–$53.25. A $15,000 sign-on bonus is available, and loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement of up to $20,000 each are offered. Eligible Respiratory Therapists may advance through the Clinical Ladder Program and earn up to $6,000 in additional annual bonus opportunities.

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 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 email and electronic medical record systems.
Strong 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 collaborate with others.
Time-management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions.
Ability to operate all equipment necessary for 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 demonstrate a stand-pivot transfer from bed to chair and, with a second person, slide 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 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 medication treatments and therapies according to physician orders and prescribed patient-driven respiratory protocols.
Clean, maintain, and check the functionality of equipment; troubleshoot issues and identify service or repair needs.
Educate and instruct patients on therapy purpose, technique, self-care, goals, and disease management.
Collaborate with other departments and facilitate clinical problem solving and patient-management education.
Adapt to policies and procedures across service areas, perform assigned tasks and special duties, and maintain performance and organizational standards.
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 relevant to each patient’s requirements.

Benefits

$15,000 sign-on bonus available.
Loan forgiveness up to $20,000.
Tuition reimbursement up to $20,000.
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 such as shift and on-call pay, where applicable.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance. Eligibility for programs may depend on FTE or employment status.