Respiratory Therapist

LOCATION: John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County

DEPARTMENT: Pulmonary Med - Respiratory Care

SEIU 73

Job Summary

Practicing under the direction of the Respiratory Department Head, the Respiratory Therapist is a clinical expert who is responsible for the oversite of the shift. This includes assigning respiratory care staff to work areas and/or work assignments, modifying assignments, coordinate/provide clinical assistance and emergency response, and prompt customer service.

Typical Duties

• Provides direct respiratory patient care in any and all patient care settings as directed, utilizing equipment and procedures
• Follows protocols established for Respiratory Therapy Practitioners; may administer new or highly specialized procedures, test new equipment, and otherwise evaluate modifications to existing methods of respiratory patient care as directed by appropriate medical staff or supervisor
• Directs the shift through division of workload, serves as the hub of communication, and coordinates with external departments to ensure safe operations
• Conducts quality rounds, captures shift data, and conduct/participate in departmental shift huddles
• Participates in the orientation and training of Departmental personnel as directed, to assist in their successful mastery of progressively responsible clinical duties, monitors progress of personnel to this end, and advises Associate Manager of same
• Acts as a resource person for respiratory staff and other health care professionals, orients students, physicians, nurses, and others in Respiratory Therapy Procedures
• Monitor inventory needs to maintain necessary par levels of equipment
• Oversees cleaning, calibration, and maintenance of all respiratory equipment and assures quality standards are met
• Partners with departmental leadership as well as external leadership, including On-Duty Administrator and Administrator-On-Call, to address operational needs
• Recognizes and reports deficiencies and concerns
• Assists Respiratory Therapy Supervisor in the coordination of respiratory care delivery of services in a particular work setting or on a particular shift, acts as lead/charge therapist in the absence of the supervisor, or as circumstances require
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) OR Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) is required. (official transcripts required at time of interview)
• Licensed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation as a Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is required. (Must provide proof at time of interview)
• Five (5) years of recent full-time work experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is required.
• Current certified in the following: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), and Pediatric Life Support (PALS) is required. (Must provide proof at time of interview)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
• Credentialed as Adult Critical Care Specialists (ACCS) is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Working knowledge of Respiratory procedures and the use of Respiratory equipment
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills necessary to manage a variety of people from different socio-economic backgrounds
• Computer literacy and keyboarding skills
• Strong customer service and empathy skills
• Ability to demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy, and precision
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize projects and tasks
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged
• Ability to function autonomously and as a team member in a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction)
• Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odor, and temperature
• Ability to walk extensively, lift moderately heavy objects, and climb stairs
• Ability to consistently push, pull, twist, turn, bend, kneel, stoop, lift, and reach above shoulder and stand for prolonged periods of time

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for nursing-related programs
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position .
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

• Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
• CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.