Respiratory Therapist

Overview

Respiratory Therapist 3-22704 – Rush University Medical Center.

Location:

Chicago, IL. Business Unit:
Rush Medical Center. Department:
Respiratory Care. Full Time (Total FTE 0.9). Shift: 12‑hour (7:00 PM – 7:30 AM). Pay range: $45.59 – $74.19 per hour. Current IL license, BLS, ACLS (adults), PALS & NRP (neo/peds), active AARC member required.

Provides simple, intermediate, and complex therapeutic and diagnostic procedures on the general care floors and special care units. Improves and maintains patient cardiopulmonary status through the application and administration of various medications, gases, devices, and procedures. Functions as a clinical specialist within one of three specialty areas: neonatal/pediatrics, adults, or pulmonary function testing & diagnostics. Orients new employees and precepts students.

Provides leadership, charge therapist duties, and serves as a team leader to optimize patient care and work with all staff to ensure quality and patient safety. Provides training to increase staff’s skills and competencies. Ensures communication between staff, physicians, and nursing. Assists with protocol or guideline development, implementation, and compliance. Additionally, in the Pulmonary Function Testing Laboratory/Diagnostics, provides in‑depth knowledge of simple, intermediate, and complex cardiopulmonary diagnostic tests and procedures.

Demonstrates competency and provides education for complex medical equipment utilized in cardiopulmonary sciences. Functions as a clinical specialist resource for pulmonary function testing and interventional pulmonary bronchoscopy procedures. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

• All requirements for RT1 & RT2.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), current IL license, BLS, ACLS (adults), PALS & NRP (neo/peds), active AARC member.
• Bachelor’s degree of Science or health‑care related field with at least 3 years relevant leadership experience in respiratory care.
• Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program related to Respiratory Therapy or a relevant health‑care field with an anticipated completion date within 6 months.

• NBRC Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) credential (Adults).
• NBRC Neonatal Pediatric Specialty (NPS) credential (Neonatal/Pediatrics).
• NBRC Registered Pulmonary Function Testing Technologist (RPFT) credential (PFT/Diagnostics).
• In PFT/Diagnostics, attain or become an Asthma Certified Educator (AE‑C) or Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS), or an active board member to a national respiratory care organization within one year after hire.

• Minimum of 3 years as critical‑care Respiratory Therapist.
• Minimum of 2 years as full‑time Pulmonary Function Lab technologist.

• Completion of master’s degree or higher.
• At least one year’s experience in RUMC Respiratory Care Services.
• Prior experience with research.
• Prior experience with leadership.

• Technical skills are required to adapt equipment and procedures to patient needs.
• Analytical skills are required to evaluate patients and their clinical response to therapy.
• Customer‑service skills are required to effectively meet the needs of patients, families, and members of the health‑care team.
• Above‑average interpersonal skills are required to provide direction to other staff.
• Excellent communication skills are required for teaching and collaboration with other colleagues.

• Standing, walking, pushing, and bending for 75% of the day.
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds to move gas cylinders.
• A high level of patience must be exhibited as people learn at different speeds.
• Must be highly adaptable to respond to changing workloads and priorities.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

• Provides charge therapist duties/coordinates lab activities as defined by the House Coverage Checklist.
• Provides patient care/testing in assigned areas on a routine basis.
• In…