Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Adults

Advocate Health

4d•$36 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides and coordinates comprehensive respiratory care for adult patients. The role administers respiratory care procedures and modalities in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Using evidence-based practices, clinical decision-making, and skilled communication, the therapist contributes to a safe patient environment and a positive patient experience across the continuum of care. The therapist works in critical and non-critical care settings, adapts to different service areas and assignments under physician direction, and collaborates with physicians and other departments. The role also supports patient education, clinical problem-solving, safety practices, and the training of new teammates, orientees, and students. The position is based at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and is scheduled for three 12-hour night shifts, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., totaling 36 hours per week.

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 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.
Excellent written and verbal communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to build rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with patients, teammates, and physicians; take initiative; and work collaboratively.
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 varying 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 and laboratory values, blood gases, and electrolytes; identify population-specific needs.
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 or 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 assigned service areas, perform assigned tasks and special duties, and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors under physician direction.
Communicate effectively, provide feedback, resolve conflicts, and give clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoffs.
Promote patient safety by applying appropriate safety measures, reporting safety events and near misses promptly, identifying potential issues, and helping implement corrective actions.
Teach, educate, and precept new teammates, orientees, and students.
Provide age-appropriate care by applying knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan and assessing and interpreting information relevant to each patient's age-specific needs.

Benefits

$12,500 sign-on bonus available.
Loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement up to $20,000 each.
Clinical Ladder Program with eligible Respiratory Therapists able to earn up to $6,000 in additional yearly bonus opportunities.
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 may be available for shift, on-call, and other applicable work; incentive pay is available for select positions.
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.