Respiratory Quality Coordinator, Full-Time, Days

Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 46,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Professional Development

Wellbeing Fund

Matching 401(k)

Health insurance

Life insurance

Annual salary increase and incentive

Job summary

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is seeking a Respiratory Quality Coordinator to oversee quality improvement initiatives, regulatory readiness, and clinical practice compliance within the Respiratory Care department. You will leverage advanced respiratory care experience, analytical skills, and professional judgment to drive continuous improvement and support education and team-building efforts.

The role requires 5+ years in critical care, active IL RRT licensure, and NBRC/ACCS certifications with

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or actively enrolled in a program (completion within three years).
• Experience: 5+ years in Critical Care.
• Licensure: Active IL Respiratory Therapist License (IDFPR).
• Certifications: RRT, CPR/BLS, ACLS, PALS, NBRC ACCS; NRP required within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate departmental quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify opportunities for improvement and implement solutions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with quality committees and multidisciplinary teams.
• Perform audits of staff documentation and workflows to ensure policy compliance.
• Partner with Education Coordinator to identify quality-driven educational needs and competency development.
• Assist with policy, protocol, and practice guideline development and revisions.
• Respond to quality-related inquiries from patients, families, payers, researchers, and others.
• Support accreditation readiness and regulatory inspections.
• Research quality measurement methods and support LEAD projects.
• Complete root cause analyses and corrective action follow-up for quality events.
• Demonstrate leadership to foster accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Promote staff engagement in quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
• Handle sensitive information with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Assist clinical teams during staffing shortages and operational needs.

Skills

Critical Care experience

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or enrolled in program

Job description

The salary range for this position is $40.79 - $40.79 (Hourly Rate)

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well‑well‑being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose‑driven and committed to our mission to deliver world‑class care. Here, you’ll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you’ve been, and we support where you’re headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well‑Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well‑well‑being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce‑led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part‑time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part‑time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part‑time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part‑time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Description

The Respiratory Quality Coordinator 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.

Respiratory Care provides frequent, scheduled, time‑sensitive, and critical respiratory treatments The delivery of safe, effective, evidence‑based care is essential to achieving optimal patient outcomes. The Respiratory Quality Coordinator serves as the department’s subject matter expert for quality improvement, patient safety, regulatory readiness, and clinical practice compliance. Leveraging advanced respiratory care experience, knowledge, analytical skills, and sound professional judgment, this role oversees compliance, ensures adherence to quality standards and policies, and drives continuous improvement efforts throughout the department. The Quality Coordinator supports collaborative education and team building and participates in multidisciplinary quality initiatives to enhance clinical care and patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate departmental quality improvement initiatives designed to enhance patient safety, clinical outcomes, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. Specifically, lead efforts in pressure injury prevention and appropriate noninvasive ventilation interface assessments and documentation.
• Collaborate with operational and medical leadership to identify opportunities for improvement, develop solutions, and implement effectively.
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with quality committees and multidisciplinary teams to support improvement initiatives.
• Perform audits of respiratory care staff documentation, clinical practices, and departmental workflows to ensure compliance with organizational policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with the Respiratory Education Coordinator to identify quality‑driven educational needs for staff and support competency development initiatives.
• Assist with development, review, implementation, and revisions of departmental policies, procedures, clinical protocols, and practice guidelines.
• Assist clinical teams and leadership in responding to quality‑related queries from external constituencies: patients, families, payers, media, researchers, etc.
• Support departmental readiness for accreditation surveys, regulatory inspections, and quality reviews.
• Research and develop quality measurement, evaluation, and improvement methodologies, including LEAD projects with support from manager/mentor/peers.
• Complete root cause analyses, corrective action planning, and follow‑up activities related to respiratory care quality events, adverse outcomes, and identified process gaps, such as pressure injuries attributed to respiratory care interventions.
• Demonstrate leadership behaviors that foster accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Promote staff engagement in quality improvement, patient safety initiatives, and evidence‑based practice activities.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive information.
• Assists the department with patient care and triage during when needed based on staffing and operational needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or actively enrolled in a program (completion within three years)
• Experience: 5 + years in Critical Care
• Licensure: Active IL Respiratory Therapist License (IDFPR)
• Certification:
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• CPR BLS, ACLS, and PALS through American Heart Association
• Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS) through National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification through American Heart Association required within 6 months of start date.
• Behavioral Attributes: Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong problem‑solving abilities and critical thinking; demonstrates resilience and adaptability; emotional intelligence and professionalism; embodies NMH values of patient’s first, excellence, integrity, and teamwork.
  

Preferred

• Master’s Degree
• Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (NPS)
• 3+ years of experience in Level III NICU
• Experience with process improvement methodology, change management, data analysis, and project coordination.

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‑well‑being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.

If sign‑on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: 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 as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.