Respiratory Therapist, RRT Registry

UChicago Medicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,104 - 88,166; Part time

Job summary

UChicago Medicine is seeking a Respiratory Therapist for the Registry - Per Diem (PRN) to support adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients within Respiratory Care Services. You will administer therapies, assess cardiopulmonary status, and implement ventilation-permissive protocols under supervision.

This position requires an Associate degree, active RRT, IL license eligibility, and BLS. Night shifts are 12-hour, four per six-week schedule, with per diem/registry status.

Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited Respiratory Care Program.
• Active RRT credential from NBRC.
• Current Illinois RCP license or eligibility to obtain before start.
• Current BLS from American Heart Association.
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Administer oxygen/medical gas therapy per orders or protocol.
• Deliver nebulized/medication therapies as prescribed.
• Perform airway care procedures including suctioning and NIV/ventilation support.
• Manage NIV and mechanical ventilation per protocol; document in EPIC.
• Conduct ABG analysis and ensure quality control.
• Transport patients on oxygen or ventilatory support as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

RRT Certification

Communication skills

Documentation

Education

Associate degree in Respiratory Care

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

EPIC EMR

Ventilator management equipment

Job description

Respiratory Therapist, RRT Registry, PRN

Join one of the nation’s most comprehensive academic medical centers, UChicago Medicine, as a Respiratory Therapist – Registry – Per Diem – PRN with the Respiratory Care Services team. The department is committed to providing quality individualized care for adult, pediatric and neonatal patients through highly trained RRTs, advanced technology, and defined patient protocols. Our staff are encouraged to achieve their career goals, benefiting patients and the university as a whole.

In this role, the Respiratory Therapist Registry – Per Diem – PRN administers respiratory care treatments, procedures, and protocols under direct supervision of department leadership and physicians. Responsibilities include patient assessment to determine cardiopulmonary status, implementing appropriate care protocols, and maintaining or improving cardiopulmonary hemodynamic status. The role initiates and maintains emergent and non‑emergent ventilation-permissive therapies per department policies and protocols.

Essential Job Functions

• Administers supplemental oxygen/medical gas therapy as prescribed by physician order or department protocol; documents procedures accurately into the EPIC electronic medical record.
• Administers intermittent or continuous medication delivery therapy (bronchodilators, steroid therapy, mucolytics, etc.) as prescribed or via approved protocols; documents procedures in real‑time and accurately.
• Administers bronchopulmonary hygiene, suctioning, and airway care procedures; implements airway clearance techniques per physician order or established protocols; documents procedures accurately.
• Initiates and maintains non‑invasive ventilation (NIV) procedures (BIPAP, CPAP, High Flow Cannula) on an emergent and non‑emergent basis; monitors patient status, equipment, and tolerance; documents procedures into the EPIC system.
• Initiates, maintains, and assesses status of mechanical ventilation; performs thorough patient assessment to recommend and implement weaning plans per physician order or departmental ventilator protocols; documents procedures accurately and timely.
• Manages ventilators (NIV and mechanical); performs appropriate hemodynamic monitoring and reporting of patient parameters; documents information accurately within the EPIC system.
• Performs arterial blood gas analysis per hospital, department, and accrediting agency guidelines; troubleshoots analyzers, performs quality control and calibration; reports results accurately and timely.
• Provides patient transport internally or externally when patients are moved on oxygen delivery systems or mechanical ventilators.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree from an approved and accredited Respiratory Care Program.
• Active certification as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care.
• Current Respiratory Care Practitioner license in the State of Illinois or eligibility to obtain said license prior to start.
• Active Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
• Demonstrates effective and accurate communication and documentation skills (both verbal and written).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an approved and accredited Respiratory Care Program.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification; Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification; Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification depending on patient care area assigned and the primary patient population served.

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: PRN, Per Diem, Registry (0.2 FTE)
• Shift: Night Shift – 12‑hour; Requirement: four 12‑hour shifts per six‑week schedule.
• Unit/Department: Respiratory Care Services
• CBA Code: Non-Union