RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (36 HRS/WEEK, DAY SHIFT)

Riverside Healthcare

Kankakee (IL)

On-site

USD 48,000 - 62,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical, dental, vision, life

Defined contribution retirement plans

Educational Assistance Program

Job summary

Riverside Healthcare in Illinois is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to deliver comprehensive respiratory care in an acute hospital setting. You will assess patients, administer therapies, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality care.

Responsibilities include evaluating respiratory status, managing ventilators, performing ABG/PFT tests, and educating patients and families on disease management. Strong clinical skills and patient-centered care are essential.

Qualifications

Graduate of an AMA-approved Respiratory Therapist program.
NBRC certification (RRT/CRT) preferred per licensure requirements? (Not stated; using NBRC requirement in duties)
Current RCP license in Illinois.

Responsibilities

Assess patients' respiratory status with focus on lung sounds, breathing patterns and oxygenation.
Administer therapies including oxygen, aerosols, and mechanical ventilation; adjust ventilator settings and manage airways as needed.
Perform ABG and PFT as ordered to guide diagnosis and treatment.
Respond to respiratory emergencies with airway management and resuscitation support.
Educate patients and families on respiratory care techniques and disease management.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers for coordinated care.
Document assessments, treatments, and outcomes in electronic health records.

Skills

Patient assessment

Ventilator management

Emergency care

Education and counseling

Education

AMA-approved Respiratory Therapist program

Tools

Ventilators

PFT equipment

Job description

Overview

The Respiratory Therapist will provide comprehensive respiratory care for patients in an acute hospital setting. This role is vital for managing and optimizing respiratory function in critically ill patients, ensuring the highest standards of care in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong clinical skills, a commitment to patient-centered care, and the ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.

Essential Duties

Patient Assessment: Perform detailed assessments of patients' respiratory status, including evaluating lung sounds, breathing patterns, and oxygenation levels.
Treatment Administration: Administer respiratory therapies such as oxygen, aerosolized treatments, and mechanical ventilation, according to established protocols and patient needs. Adjust ventilator settings and manage endotracheal tubes or tracheostomy tubes as needed for patients requiring care.
Diagnostic Testing: Conduct and interpret diagnostic tests such as arterial blood gases (ABGs), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), as ordered by the provider to assist in the diagnosis and treatment planning.
Emergency Care: Provide prompt and effective response to respiratory emergencies, including advanced airway management and emergency resuscitation. Assist with intubation and extubation procedures as needed.
Patient Education: Educate patients and families about respiratory care techniques, disease management, and care plans.
Collaboration: Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated patient care.
Documentation: Maintain accurate and thorough documentation of patient assessments, treatments, and outcomes in electronic health records in a timely manner.
Equipment Maintenance: Ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of respiratory care equipment and supplies.
Quality Assurance and Compliance: Ensure compliance with hospital protocols, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. Participate in quality improvement initiatives and continuing education to enhance respiratory care practices
Flexibility: Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure

Non-essential Duties

Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
Support the maintenance and troubleshooting of respiratory equipment
Assist with training and mentoring new staff and respiratory therapy students.
Engage in professional development activities and stay current with advancements in respiratory care.

Responsibilities

Required Experience

A graduate of an AMA-approved Respiratory Therapist program

Preferred Experience

Experience in Respiratory Preferred
Demonstrated experience with advanced respiratory support and critical care procedures.

Required Licensure/Education

Current Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license in the state of Illinois.
Certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) / Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
BLS required
NRP, ACLS, and PALS required within 6 months of hire

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes:

Compensation

Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits - .5 to 1.0 FTE

Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program

Benefits - .001 to .49 FTE:

Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure to:

Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets
Video Display Terminals: Average
Blood and Body Fluids: Occasional contact with intravenous devices, and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, stool, vomitus). Use of needleless IV system, universal precautions and protective equipment minimize risk.
TB or Airborne Pathogens: None other than normal hospital environment exposure.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/MDs. Ability to ask for help.
Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, ability to read reports, ability to read machines.
Smell: Helpful to note the presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety.
Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, calls for help and to hear patient verbalizations; ability to listen for lung, bowel, and heart sounds.
Touch: Necessary to assess patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

Sit: 10%
Twist: 4%
Stand: 40%
Crawl: 0%
Walk: 25%
Kneel: 1%
Lift: 10%
Drive: 0%
Squat: 1%
Climb: 1%
Bend: 30%
Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
Up to 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements:

Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25'- 150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

Sit: 30
Twist: 15
Stand: 60
Crawl: 0
Walk: 10
Kneel: 0
Lift: 5
Drive: 0
Squat: 2
Climb: 1
Bend: 15
Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

Simple grasp up to 10 lbs.
Normal weight:< 5#
Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, omnicell, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IVs.
Leg Strength - Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
- Inside hours: 6-40
- Outside hours: 0
Temperature: Normal Range
Lighting: Average
Noise levels: Average
Humidity: Normal Range
Atmosphere: Average
Special Hazards: Radiation, Chemical, Explosive - Chemical-drugs; Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy.
Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.