Respiratory Therapist

Location: Oak Park, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Oak Park

Hospital: Rush Oak Park Hospital

Department: Respiratory Therapy

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE. 90)

Shift: Shift 3

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

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at ourRush benefits page( rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

!!!$25,000 Sign-On Bonus!!!

Pay Range:$38 per hour New Grad payrate

Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

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. Functions independently in the specialty units. Specializes in either adult or pediatric/neonatal specialty care and functions independently in either or both areas. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
• Graduate of a CoArc approved Respiratory Care program. The new graduate has three months from the time of graduation or hire, whichever is later, to obtain the State of Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license (the National Board for Respiratory Care Certified Respiratory Therapist credential is a prerequisite) and the new graduate has six months from the time of graduation or hire, whichever is later, to pass the NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist exams.
• Respiratory Therapist, License Pending
• 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.
Preferred Job Qualifications:
• NRP
• Bachelor’s degree
Physical Demands:
• Standing, walking, pushing, and bending for 75% of the day.
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds in order to handle cylinders.
• Must be highly adaptable to respond to changing workloads and priorities.
• Above average interpersonal skills are required to provide direction to other staff.
• Excellent communication skills are required for precepting and communication with colleagues.
Disclaimer:
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.

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, 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.
7. Documents work timely, completely, and accurately, including documentation in the patient medical record, documentation in the department records, and patient billing.
8. 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.
9. Participates in on-going maintenance of the blood gas equipment, QC, calibration and proficiency testing.
10. Demonstrate professionalism by belonging to the AARC/ISRC and/or pursuing education to advance ones skills
11. Performs bedside spirometry including spontaneous breathing parameters, PEFR, and other limited pulmonary function; identifies normal values for patients.
12. Provides patient/family education.
13. Performs ECGs and phlebotomy, including arterial puncture.
14. Performs bronchoscopy assist.
15. 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.