Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory Therapists

A leading healthcare organization is seeking Respiratory Therapists to join its Respiratory Therapy team in Peoria, Illinois.

The Respiratory Therapist will provide comprehensive respiratory care to patients across general medical units, intermediate care, intensive care, and the emergency department. This role includes mechanical ventilation, airway management, medical gas administration, aerosolized medications, emergency response, and advanced respiratory therapies.

Qualified new graduates are encouraged to apply. This is an excellent opportunity to develop advanced respiratory-care skills while working with a diverse patient population in a large acute-care hospital environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide respiratory therapy services according to physician orders and established clinical protocols
• Deliver respiratory care to patients in general medical units, intermediate care, ICU, and the emergency department
• Assess patients and evaluate their response to respiratory treatments
• Recommend appropriate changes in therapy based on patient response and established protocols
• Initiate, manage, and monitor invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation
• Manage advanced ventilator modes, including high-frequency ventilation and inverse I:E ratio ventilation
• Independently manage lung ventilation and other advanced respiratory-support modalities within scope of practice
• Administer aerosolized medications and respiratory treatments
• Deliver and monitor medical-grade oxygen and air
• Administer specialty medical gases, including Heliox and inhaled Nitric Oxide
• Perform airway-clearance therapies and other ordered respiratory modalities
• Respond to Rapid Response events and other clinical emergencies
• Respond to Blue Alerts and serve as a primary airway-management resource
• Provide life-sustaining respiratory interventions under the direction of licensed providers
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds in intensive care and intermediate-care units
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team
• Document respiratory assessments, treatments, interventions, and patient responses accurately in the electronic medical record
• Maintain appropriate respiratory equipment and supply levels in patient-care areas
• Follow infection-control, patient-safety, regulatory, and departmental standards
• Perform additional Respiratory Therapy duties as assigned

Qualifications include:

• Successful completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program
• Registered Respiratory Therapist credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care
• Current Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license
• Current National Board for Respiratory Care credentials, as applicable
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification
• Basic electronic medical record documentation skills
• Strong respiratory assessment, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to provide age-appropriate respiratory care to pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients
• Ability to respond effectively during emergency and critical-care situations
• Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills

New graduates must:

• Successfully complete an accredited Respiratory Therapy program
• Pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice examination
• Pass the NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination
• Apply for an Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license before departmental orientation begins
• Meet all required credentialing and BLS requirements

Preferred qualifications include:

• One or more years of Respiratory Therapy experience
• Acute-care hospital experience
• ICU or emergency department experience
• Experience managing mechanically ventilated patients
• Experience with high-frequency or other advanced ventilation modes
• Experience administering specialty respiratory gases

Physical requirements include:

• Ability to lift objects weighing up to approximately 60 pounds
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive clinical tasks
• Ability to push and pull respiratory equipment, supply carts, beds, wheelchairs, and other clinical equipment
• Ability to assist with lifting and positioning patients
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate respiratory equipment safely
• Ability to review clinical documentation carefully for accuracy

Benefits include:

• Sign-on bonus of up to $15,000 with a two-year commitment
• Sign-on bonus of up to $20,000 with a three-year commitment
• Relocation assistance may be available based on individual circumstances
• Competitive hourly compensation
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Retirement savings programs
• Paid time off
• Continuing-education and professional-development opportunities
• Clinical training in advanced respiratory-care modalities
• Career advancement opportunities within Respiratory Therapy and critical care