Respiratory Therapy Students - Horizons Program

Respiratory Therapist

Initiates, maintains, and discontinues basic and intensive respiratory therapy techniques and equipment in the administration of prescribed respiratory care procedures to patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.

The Memorial Horizons Program provides students enrolled in Radiography, Surgical Technology, and Sonography degree programs with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, receive financial support, and secure a pathway to employment at Memorial Health after graduation.

The Horizons Program is open to external candidates and current Memorial Health colleagues in the first year of their major program of study and will graduate in May 2027. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited allied health program that aligns with Memorial's workforce needs, maintain the minimum required GPA and have completed all prerequisite coursework. Applicants must complete an employment application and an interview as part of the competitive selection process. Individuals selected for the Horizons Program must maintain satisfactory academic progress, have no active corrective actions on file, and exhibit behaviors that align with Memorial's values to remain eligible.

Individuals who are selected for the Horizons Program will work at Memorial Health as a per diem colleague while attending school. This allows participants to gain valuable hands-on experience, work alongside Memorial clinicians, and prepare them for their careers at Memorial after graduation.

Individuals selected for the Horizons Program will receive a bi-weekly stipend of $1,000.00 during the second year of their program (August 2026-May 2027). Stipends are subject to applicable taxes and deductions. As a Memorial colleague who is working per diem while attending school, you may also be eligible for up to $5250 per calendar year in Tuition Assistance. In addition, individuals selected for the Horizons Program will be eligible for sign-on incentives at the time of graduation.

Graduates of the Horizons Program will be placed in full-time roles designated by Memorial Health upon meeting all graduation and licensing requirements. Participants must commit to working at Memorial Health for three years after graduation.

Paid Time Off (PTO), Employee Assistance Program and Colleague Wellness, Benefits - Memorial HR

Qualifications

Education:

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

Certified by the National Board for Respiratory Care required.

Possesses a valid and active Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license.

Healthcare Provider or Instructor BLS certification required within 30 days of hire.

ACLS and NRP provider or instructor certifications required within 1 year of hire.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Demonstrates the ability to provide respiratory care and therapy to patients of all ages and conditions, including intensive care, neonatal, and pediatric patients.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and tests respiratory therapy equipment for proper and safe operation and periodically checks equipment in use and on units for proper operations and routine service. Reports malfunctioning equipment to manager.
• Receives, documents, and executes physicians' orders relating to respiratory therapy protocol. Interprets and evaluates physician orders and charts that pertain to respiratory care and identifies possible contraindications to medications, treatments, and related hazard with their use.
• Measures and administers prescribed medications, such as oxygen and aerosolized medications, to patients. Administers procedures and therapies as needed.
• Assesses patients' conditions and responses to respiratory therapy. Recognizes and treats adverse reactions and emergency situations arising during treatment.
• Recognizes and responds to the signs of cardiopulmonary arrest and/or failure and life-threatening arrhythmias during EKGs. As necessary, assists in performing and/or initiating CPR procedures.
• Records procedures, patient responses, and medication administration in compliance with departmental documentation requirements.
• Processes routine and stat hospital EKGs and prepares them for the interpreting physician(s).
• Performs nasal and tracheal suctioning of patients and obtains tracheal secretions for cultures.
• Maintains, monitors, and provides respiratory care to patients on continuous mechanical ventilators.
• Provides respiratory care to ICU (including lung auscultation); recommends respiratory care procedures as patient condition warrants. Alerts the appropriate staff of any changes in patient condition.
• Monitors and cares for patients with artificial airways and endotracheal cuffs.
• Instructs patients, families, and other hospital personnel in the proper use of respiratory therapy equipment and the associated procedures and techniques used.
• Provides cardiopulmonary services in the emergency department. Performs patient assessment and treatment according to the emergency department/ respiratory care protocol.
• Makes recommendations for changes and improvements in hospital equipment and procedures to maintain best practice.
• Participates in departmental or multidisciplinary teams related to clinical quality, safety, education, best practice, patient satisfaction, or process improvement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.