Respiratory Care Therapy Specialist

Respiratory Care Therapy Specialist 

Hiring Department: Respiratory Services

Location:  Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1022957

Posting Close Date: 2/5/2024

About the UI Health: 

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a 495-bed tertiary care hospital, 22 outpatient clinics, and 13 Mile Square Health Center facilities, which are Federally Qualified Health Centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity.

Position Summary

Respiratory Specialists in this position apply critical respiratory care thinking in treating and diagnosis of all patients. They work in delivering appropriate patient care. This position to recognize needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups of patients treated. They must understand growth and development, normal patterns of adolescent behavior and look for signs of normal aging. They will perform all respiratory care procedures under supervision of a Respiratory Care Manager.

1 opening: 0.9 FTE 7 PM- 7:30 AM

Duties & Responsibilities

• All duties and responsibilities affect patient care directly or indirectly. Procedures being performed must be done in their entirety.
• Your professional performance and attitude projects an image of the department. Attendance, punctuality and performing assigned duties are very important. Performance and attitude affect patient care delivery and the therapist’s working environment (workloads, getting off-duty on time). Respiratory Specialists must know the policies and procedures of the department.
• The Respiratory Specialists must be able to respond swiftly to critical changes in a patient’s condition. They not only perform and make recommendations but must be able to teach current respiratory care techniques.
• Procedures not performed during the shift could cause harm to the patient and places a burden on the on-coming shift. Adequate charting assists the patient care while inadequate or not charting will incur loss of revenue to the hospital as well as a loss of valuable patient care information.
• Respiratory Specialists will have contact with patients, doctors, nurses, other disciplines and fellow therapists to discuss patient care. They will also have contact with students and precept new employees with regards to orientation and teaching. All communication must be professional and respectful at all times.
• Modifies therapeutic procedures per protocol, modifies prescribed therapeutic procedures. Selects, assembles and checks equipment for proper function operation and cleanliness. This includes oxygen administration devices, aerosol generators, resuscitation devices; ventilators, analyzers, breathing circuits and respirometers, heliox therapy, nitric oxide and intubation equipment. Assists in performing Quality Improvement within the department.
• Select, review, obtain and interpret data. Reviews existing data in patient record, progress notes, chemistries, pulmonary function, sputum culture, results of ventilator monitoring, blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressures, cardiac output, electrocardiogram and pleural drainage.
• Collects and evaluates additional pertinent clinical information through physical examination and bedside parameters. When ordered, recommends or interprets data of blood gas samples and analysis, spirometry, sputum culture. Assists physicians with special procedures such as a bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, insertion of chest tubes, invasive monitoring, intubation/extubation, pacemaker insertion, elective cardioversion, CAT Scan, cardiac cauterization and MRI procedures.
• Measure and interrupt respiratory parameters and analyze hemodynamic values. Performs and evaluates peak flow measurements and saturation measurements.
• Interprets data and recommends ventilator parameter changes, oxygen therapy, bronchodilator protocols and other services provided by the Respiratory Care Department daily.
• Selects, assembles and checks equipment for proper function, operation and cleanliness.
• Maintains records and communication:
• Assess and documents HAPI, Assess & treat, Delivery of Care Script.
• Records therapy and results as required by hospital and department policy manual through computer entry/retrieval. All orders must be entered under the ordering physician and if applicable per protocol under the initial ordering physician. Has knowledge of word processing e-mail and electronic charting system.

Minimum Qualifications

• Credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Current/ valid Respiratory Care Professions License from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
• Six (6) months of work experience comparable to that of a Respiratory Care Therapy Technologist.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Note: Each Employer will make final determination on necessary License/certification required for each position based on specific specialty area. These certifications may include but are not limited to the Adult Critical Care Specialty Credential (ACCS) Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT), Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT), Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty (NPS), and/or the Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS).

Preferred Qualifications
1. Minimum of 3 years working as a respiratory therapist in a level 3 Neonatal ICU
2. Minimum of 1 year experience working as a charge therapist in an acute care hospital
2. Candidate should have  Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS) certification from NBRC or willing gain the credential within 6 months of hire.
3. Candidate should have ACLS, PALS and NRP certification or willingness to take the certifications within 6 months of hire.

Fully complete all sections of the online application including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification, and language sections.

You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts, and diplomas within the document section of your online application.

When completing your online application, please be sure to provide detailed information about your job knowledge and specific duties and responsibilities, as your qualifications for any Civil Service position will be primarily determined based on what is contained in the application. Dates of employment and if employed on a full or part time basis (including number of hours per week) must be indicated for each position held. Additional consideration will be given to supporting documentation i.e., resume, transcripts, licenses, and certifications so please be sure to attach all applicable documents.

If an application is not fully completed and submitted by the close date, the applicant/employee will not be considered for this position.

For fullest consideration, the above-mentioned requirements must be submitted no later than 2/5/2024.

Please note that once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes. In order to revise your application, you must withdraw and reapply. You will not be able to reapply after the posting close date. Please ensure the application is fully completed and all supporting documents have been uploaded before the posting close date.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation