RRT

Respiratory Therapist 1

Location: Oak Park, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Oak Park

Hospital: Rush Oak Park Hospital

Department: Respiratory Therapy

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 3

Work Schedule: 12 Hr (6:30:00 PM - 7:00:00 AM)

$25,000 Sign-On Bonus!!!

Pay Range: $34.89 - $50.63 per hour

Summary: 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. They function independently in assigned areas. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush Oak Park Hospital policies and procedures.

Required Job Qualifications:

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and an Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license.
• All RTs must pass departmental competencies.
• Requires BLS and ACLS. PALS within 90 days of hire. NRP Preferred.
• Minimum education requirement is an Associate's degree; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 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 healthcare team on an almost constant basis.

Physical Demands:

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

Responsibilities:

1. Administers, monitors, and weans mechanical ventilation; makes ventilator recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, and laboratory values; manages airways.
2. Administers bronchial hygiene and treatment procedures including aerosol therapies, chest physical therapy, and therapeutic gas administration; analyzes gases where applicable; procures and delivers gases using central piping systems and gas cylinders.
3. Assesses patients clinically before and after the administration or application of any medication, procedure or device; recommends appropriate therapy including initial therapy, changes in therapy, and discontinuance of therapy.
4. Applies CPAP and BIPAP and makes recommendations based on patient compliance, response, and laboratory values.
5. Participates in CQI and QA initiatives including work audits, abstracts, research, Daily Management System (DMS) projects, committee participation, or other activities to improve the clinical and work environments.
6. Develops patient driven protocols in conjunction with department leadership. Documents work timely, completely, and accurately, including documentation in the patient medical record, documentation in the department records, and patient billing.
7. Assesses patient oxygenation, ventilation, and hemodynamic status through clinical observation, patient assessment, physiologic monitoring including oximetry, capnography, ventilator waveform analysis, and cardiac output, ECG, and laboratory values; provides respiratory care interventions within the scope of the Rapid Response Team, performs CPR.
8. Performs bedside spirometry including spontaneous breathing parameters, PEFR, and other limited pulmonary function; identifies normal values for patients.
9. Provides patient/family education.
10. Performs ECGs and arterial puncture.
11. Participates in on-going maintenance of the blood gas equipment, QC, calibration and proficiency testing.
12. Performs bronchoscopy assist.
13. Provides clinical supervision of respiratory care students on rotation.
14. Demonstrates initiative in optimizing patient care by participating in physician rounds and documenting assessment findings and therapy changes.
15. Demonstrates professionalism by belonging to the AARC/ISRC and/or pursuing education to advance ones skills.
16. Other duties as assigned.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.