RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (12 HRS/WEEK, NIGHT SHIFT)

Provide comprehensive respiratory care for patients in an acute hospital setting. This role is vital for managing and optimizing respiratory function in critically ill patients, ensuring the highest standards of care in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed assessments of patients' respiratory status, including evaluating lung sounds, breathing patterns, and oxygenation levels.
• Administer respiratory therapies such as oxygen, aerosolized treatments, and mechanical ventilation according to established protocols and patient needs. Adjust ventilator settings and manage endotracheal tubes or tracheostomy tubes as needed.
• Conduct and interpret diagnostic tests such as arterial blood gases (ABGs) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) as ordered by the provider.
• Provide prompt and effective response to respiratory emergencies, including advanced airway management and emergency resuscitation. Assist with intubation and extubation procedures as needed.
• Educate patients and families about respiratory care techniques, disease management, and care plans.
• Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated patient care.
• Maintain accurate and thorough documentation of patient assessments, treatments, and outcomes in electronic health records.
• Ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of respiratory care equipment and supplies.
• Ensure compliance with hospital protocols, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. Participate in quality improvement initiatives and continuing education.
• Demonstrate flexibility with assignments within professional scope, duties, and licensure.

Non-essential Duties

• Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
• Support the maintenance and troubleshooting of respiratory equipment.
• Assist with training and mentoring new staff and respiratory therapy students.
• Engage in professional development activities and stay current with advancements in respiratory care.

Requirements

• Graduate of an AMA-approved Respiratory Therapist program.
• Current Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license in the state of Illinois.
• Certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
• BLS certification required.
• NRP, ACLS, and PALS required within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in respiratory care.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced respiratory support and critical care procedures.

Benefits

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards, including:

• Competitive compensation with base pay within the position’s pay range based on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training. Premium pay such as shift differential and on-call opportunities. Annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off programs (for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE).
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability.
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program (for 0.001 to 0.49 FTE, paid leave hours accrued as you work).

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

• Exposure to Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets.
• Video Display Terminals: Average use.
• Blood and Body Fluids: Occasional contact with intravenous devices and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, stool, vomitus). Use of needleless IV system, universal precautions, and protective equipment minimize risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: None other than normal hospital environment exposure.

Sensory Requirements

• Speech: Required to communicate with patients, families, staff, and physicians. Ability to ask for help.
• Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, read reports, and operate machines.
• Smell: Helpful to note the presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, calls for help, and patient verbalizations; ability to listen for lung, bowel, and heart sounds.
• Touch: Necessary to assess patients, distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required

Lifting and carrying requirements:

• Lifting of patients off their beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
• Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
• Lifting equipment (e.g., carry IV bags, patient trays) 25'-150' waist high.
• Carry charts 25'-150' waist high.
• Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs.
• Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive Use of Hands

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs.
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
• Fine manipulation: Typing on computer, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IVs.
• Leg strength - up to 50 lbs: Occasionally
• Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Utilized in positioning beds during transport, X-ray, surgery, or in emergency situations from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards

• Inside hours: 6-40
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal range
• Atmosphere: Average
• Special Hazards: Radiation, chemical, explosive (e.g., drugs, oxygen, cesium implants, radioactive iodine therapy).
• Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks, goggles).

Pay

USD $34.52 - USD $45.34 /Hr