Respiratory Care Assistant- Casual Rotating

Northwestern Medicine; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine invites applications for a Respiratory Care Assistant to support the Respiratory Care department in Illinois. The role emphasizes basic respiratory care activities under supervision, with focus on safety and policy adherence.

The candidate is enrolled in an approved respiratory care program and holds BLS; ACLS/NRP/PALS are preferred. This position values teamwork, compliance, and patient safety within regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required.
• Actively enrolled in an approved school or program for respiratory care.

Responsibilities

• Cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment as delegated by a licensed professional.
• Assembling equipment used in respiratory care as delegated by a licensed professional.
• Collecting and reviewing patient data non-invasively to obtain vitals and report promptly.
• Maintaining nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen therapy in the proper position.
• Assembling nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen therapy at bedside.
• Maintaining a patient’s natural airway via jaw/neck manipulation, suctioning mouth/nose.
• Performing assisted ventilation during emergency resuscitation with a manual resuscitator.
• Using a manual resuscitator under direction of licensed personnel.

Job description

Description

The Respiratory Care Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

• This position supports the Respiratory Care department and is primarily responsible for basic level respiratory care activities as listed in the Respiratory Care Practice Act. This position applies fundamental concepts, practices and procedures/policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

'Basic respiratory care activities' means and includes all of the following activities:

1. (1) Cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment used in the practice of respiratory care as delegated by a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel.
2. (2) Assembling equipment used in the practice of respiratory care as delegated by a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel.
3. (3) Collecting and reviewing patient data through non-invasive means, provided that the collection and review does not include the individual's interpretation of the clinical significance of the data. Collecting and reviewing patient data includes the performance of pulse oximetry, incentive spirometry and non-invasive monitoring procedures in order to obtain vital signs and notification to licensed health care professionals and other authorized licensed personnel in a timely manner.
4. (4) Maintaining a nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen therapy in the proper position on the patient's face.
5. (5) Assembling a nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen therapy at patient bedside in preparation for use.
6. (6) Maintaining a patient's natural airway by physically manipulating the jaw and neck, suctioning the oral cavity, or suctioning the mouth or nose with a bulb syringe.
7. (7) Performing assisted ventilation during emergency resuscitation using a manual resuscitator.
8. (8) Using a manual resuscitator at the direction of a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel who is present and performing routine airway suctioning. These activities do not include care of a patient's artificial airway or the adjustment of mechanical ventilator settings while a patient is connected to the ventilator.

Qualifications

Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Actively enrolled in an approved school or program for respiratory care.

Preferred:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit ourBenefitssection to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.