Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Adults - Per Diem

Advocate Health; Park Ridge (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL is seeking a respiratory therapist for per diem night shifts (7pm–7am). Position involves ventilator operation, patient assessments, and delivering prescribed therapies. Requires an Associate degree in Respiratory Care, state RCP license, NBRC credential (RRT/CRT), and BLS certification.

No prior experience required. The role includes patient education, equipment maintenance, and collaboration with the care team to ensure safe, effective

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited respiratory care program with an associate degree.
• Respiratory Care Practitioner license valid in state of practice.
• NBRC credential (RRT or CRT) within required timeframe.
• BLS for Healthcare Providers certification.
• No prior experience required.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients using pulmonary diagnostics and blood gases; interpret results.
• Operate ventilators in ICU and non-ICU settings and assist physicians.
• Administer prescribed respiratory therapies and monitor patient response.
• Clean, maintain, and troubleshoot respiratory equipment for safety.
• Educate patients on therapy purpose, technique and self-care.
• Collaborate with departments to educate and support patient care.
• Provide clear handoffs and maintain patient safety.
• Precept new teammates and students as directed.
• Provide age-appropriate care according to patient needs.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Time management

Computer skills

Education

Associate degree in Respiratory Care

Tools

Ventilators

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Job description

Location: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Park Ridge

Schedule: Per Diem, minimal requirement of 48 hours in a 6- week schedule. Hours: Night Shift - 7pm-7am

Major Responsibilities:

• Uses Respiratory therapy processes to support assessment of patient utilizing a variety of skills such as pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiograph, hemodynamic values, laboratory values, and correlates blood gases and electrolytes. Can identify and address the special needs of patient population specific to department services.
• Operates specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care venues. Assists physician with bedside or other procedures as applicable to facility.
• Provides medication treatments and therapies per physician order and/or patient driven respiratory protocols as prescribed.
• Cleans, maintains, and ensures proper functionality of equipment. Troubleshoots equipment as necessary and identifies the need for service and/or repair.
• Educates and instructs patients in purpose, technique, self-care, goal of therapy, and disease management.
• Facilitates clinical problem solving and collaborates with other departments to provide education on managing patients.
• Under physician direction, the respiratory therapist must be able to adapt and comply to policies and procedures for a variety of different service areas, perform tasks and/or special duties as required by assignment and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors.
• Demonstrates effective communication, feedback, and conflict resolution skills. Provides clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoff.
• Promotes a culture of safety by recognizing and applying proper safety measures to prevent patient harm. Reports patient safety events and near misses in a timely manner. Seeks to identify potential safety issues and assists in the implementation of corrective actions.
• Teaches, educates, and precepts new teammates, orientees, and students.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license issued by the state in which the team member practices.
• Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) within 12 months OR active Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential issued by the NBRC if credential received prior to January 1, 2023.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providerscertification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
• See Education/Certification Addendum for any additional site-specific requirements.

Education Required:

Graduate from an accredited respiratory care program, with a minimum of an associate degree.

Experience Required:

No experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Effective organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Problem solving and decision making for patient care and equipment use.
• Proficient computer skills, use of e-mail and electronic medical record systems.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), listening and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates human relation skills with the ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of patients, team members, and physicians. Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.
• Demonstrates time management skills with an ability to multi-task and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Must be able to lift 50 lb object from knee to waist.
• Must be able to lift 50 lb from floor to waist height occasionally.
• Must be able to lift 40 lb at waist height and carry it across various distances.
• Must be able to lift 20 lb from waist to overhead.
• Must be able to push/pull while utilizing 30# of force occasionally for long distances.
• Must demonstrate stand-pivot transfer from bed to chair.
• Must perform sliding transfer of 150 lbs. person on a sheet across 2 feet with a second person.
• Must utilize safe body mechanics at all times.

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.