Respiratory Therapist (nights)

La Rabida Children's Hospital; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

La Rabida Children’s Hospital, a specialized pediatric facility in Chicago, seeks a Respiratory Therapist to support individualized treatment plans and family-centered care. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to deliver prescribed respiratory interventions and monitor patient responses.

The role emphasizes pediatric respiratory care, including ventilator management, education for families, and participation in ongoing training and quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an AMA-approved Respiratory Care Program.
• CRT certification required; RRT preferred; RRT-NPS preferred.
• BLS certification required; PALS preferred; NRP preferred.
• Pediatric-focused experience preferred (1 year).
• Excellent verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Administer respiratory interventions including ventilators, inhalants, and airway clearance modalities.
• Monitor vital signs, capnometry, blood gases, and peak flow; provide asthma education.
• Evaluate patient progress and recommend adjustments to the Respiratory Treatment Plan.
• Participate in discharge planning and family-centered rounds.
• Conduct outpatient training with families or caregivers; document training electronically.
• Adhere to infection-control protocols and safety requirements.

Skills

Verbal communication

Education

AMA-approved Respiratory Care Program

CRT certification

RRT preferred

RRT-NPS preferred

BLS certification

PALS preferred

NRP preferred

IDPFR Respiratory Care Practitioner license

Job description

La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.

Job Summary

Assists patients in achieving the goals of their Respiratory Treatment Plan and supports life by performing the patient’s prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies, monitoring physiological responses, and sharing these findings with the multidisciplinary team.

Essential Functions

Patient Care – 75%

• Administer respiratory interventions: inhalants (nebulizers, inhalers, dry powders), mechanical ventilators (invasive and non‑invasive), therapeutic gases, airway clearance modalities, suctioning, and monitoring of natural and artificial airways.
• Monitor physiological responses: vital signs, capnometry, blood gases and blood chemistry, peak flow, and asthma education.
• Evaluate patient progress, trend data, and recommend adjustments to the Respiratory Treatment Plan.
• Participate in discharge planning and family‑centered rounds.
• Conduct outpatient training sessions with families or caregivers, documenting all training electronically.
• Adhere to policies, procedures, infection‑control protocols, and maintain patient and employee safety.

Special Procedures – 10%

• Ventilator weaning and transition management.
• Assist with cuff deflation and Passy‑Muir valve trials, tracheostomy tube exchange, and tie exchange.
• Perform blood gas analysis using the epoc® system.
• Execute ventilator mobility and transport with mechanically ventilated patients.
• Staff outpatient Technology Dependent and Spirometry Clinics.
• Respond to all emergency alerts.

Patient/Family Education – 5%

• Provide formal instruction on respiratory interventions and equipment use.
• Document training electronically.
• Use clear, non‑technical terminology for patient and family communication.
• Perform immediate service recovery when necessary.

Staff/Student Education and Training – 5%

• Participate in in‑services and training for department orientees, respiratory students, and colleagues.
• Precept orientees and students, ensuring competency demonstration.
• Assist in training of Residents, nursing staff, and clinical support staff as needed.

Continuing Education – 3%

• Attend mandatory continuing education activities, competencies, in‑services, and Skill days.
• Maintain required certifications: BLS (mandatory), PALS (preferred, within 6 months of hire), NRP (preferred).
• Obtain and maintain state licensure.
• Pursue elective memberships and advanced certifications (e.g., RRT, NPS).

Quality Improvement/Staff Meetings – 2%

• Participate in departmental and hospital‑wide quality improvement initiatives.
• File Safety Learning Notifications and report equipment malfunctions.
• Attend all departmental meetings, in person or virtually.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduate of an AMA‑approved Respiratory Care Program.
• Experience: Familiarity with invasive/non‑invasive ventilation, inhaled medication, airway clearance, blood gas analysis, tracheostomy care; pediatric experience preferred (1 year).
• Licensure/Certification: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) required; Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) preferred; RRT‑NPS preferred.
• Certification: BLS required; PALS preferred (within 6 months); NRP preferred; all from American Heart Association.
• IDPFR Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required.
• Specialized knowledge: Management of pediatric patients requiring tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.

Additional Information

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support to families facing complex pediatric health challenges.