Respiratory Therapist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Graduate of an AMA approved school for respiratory therapy granting eligibility to take exams given by the National Board for Respiratory Care or Registered or Certified by the N.B.R.C.
• Current Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure required.
• Current CPR certification issued by American Heart Association.
• Advanced knowledge of acid-base balance, blood gas analysis and interpretation, and cardiopulmonary physiology.

Responsibilities

• Performs, teaches, and guides all forms of respiratory therapy, chest physical therapy, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and treat all age groups of patients from neonatal to geriatric; implements assessment/treatment based on the developmental stages of the patient.
• Involves family/guardian in plan of care and conducts patient family education, as appropriate, considering the developmental needs of the patient.
• Administers all forms of respiratory therapy including medical gases, medication delivery via the airways, chest physical therapy, pressure breathing treatments, breathing retraining, aerosol and humidity therapy.
• Understands the equipment, indications, contraindications, hazards, and adverse reactions of each mode of therapy.
• Provides intensive respiratory care utilizing advanced techniques and specialized equipment; establishes and maintains an airway during CPR; performs external cardiac massage if necessary.
• Performs arterial punctures to obtain blood gas samples, blood gas analysis, and related calculations; performs blood gas lab quality control.
• Performs pulmonary function testing including spirometry, lung volume, and DLCO; performs related calculations, and quality control.
• Explains purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to patient, family, and hospital personnel; develops and delivers home care instructions to patients.
• Participates in continuing education at all levels within the department.
• Performs patient assessment and evaluation of care; confers with nurses and physicians to optimize the care of the patient.
• Initiates and maintains the appropriate records in the patient chart and on respiratory care records.
• Provides guidance to Respiratory Therapy Techs as necessary.
• Cleans, repairs, and maintains respiratory therapy equipment; maintains appearance of the department.
• Performs selected duties of the Director in his/her absence, eg. distributes staff assignments, grants overtime as necessary, accepts sick and absentee calls from staff, authorizes equipment rental, and activates disaster plan in case of emergency.
• Adheres to all NCH hospital standards, policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Premium pay for eligible employees
• Career Pathways to Promote Professional Growth and Development
• Various Medical, Dental, and Vision options
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking
• Wellness Program
• Savings Plan
• Health Savings Account Options
• Retirement Options with Company Match
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Community Involvement Opportunities
• Visa Sponsorship Available (Nursing and Lab roles)