Shift: Full time, Days, Every other weekend, 36 Hrs/week

Reporting to the Manager of Respiratory Care, performs, teaches, and guides all forms of respiratory therapy, chest physical therapy, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.

1. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and treat all age groups of patients from neonatal to geriatric; implements assessment/treatment based on the developmental stages of the patient. Involves family/guardian in plan of care and conducts patient family education, as appropriate, considering the developmental needs of the patient.

2. Administers all forms of respiratory therapy including medical gases, medication delivery via the airways, chest physical therapy, pressure breathing treatments, breathing retraining, aerosol and humidity therapy. Understands the equipment, indications, contraindications, hazards, and adverse reactions of each mode of therapy.

3. Provides intensive respiratory care utilizing advanced techniques and specialized equipment; establishes and maintains an airway during CPR; cardio pulmonary resuscitation performs external cardiac massage if necessary.

4. Performs arterial punctures to obtain blood gas samples, blood gas analysis, and related calculations; performs blood gas lab quality control, if trained to perform complete pulmonary function testing. .

5. Performs pulmonary function testing including spirometry, lung volume, and DLCO diffusion lung capacity; performs related calculations, and quality control.

6. Explains purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to patient, family, and hospital personnel; develops and delivers home care instructions to patients.

7. Participates in continuing education at all levels within the department.

8. Performs patient assessment and evaluation of care; confers with nurses and physicians to optimize the care of the patient.

9. Initiates and maintains the appropriate records in the patient chart and on respiratory care records.

10. Provides guidance to Respiratory Therapy Techs as necessary.

11. Cleans, repairs, and maintains respiratory therapy equipment; maintains appearance of the department.

12. Performs selected duties of the Director in his/her absence, eg. distributes staff assignments, grants overtime as necessary, accepts sick and absentee calls from staff, authorizes equipment rental, and activates disaster plan in case of emergency.

13. Adheres to all NCH hospital standards, policies and procedures.

14. Performs all routine and emergency respiratory patient care procedures for adult and pediatric emergency patients.

1. Graduate of a 2 year with diploma of completion, AMA approved school for respiratory therapy by the National Board for Respiratory Care, completed registered Respiratory Therapy Certification (RRT)

2. Current Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure required.

3. Current CPR certification. ACLS and PALS certification required or must be obtained within 6 months of hire. Neonatal resuscitation certification desired.

4. Advanced knowledge of acid-base balance, blood gas analysis and interpretation, and cardiopulmonary physiology.

5. The ability to remain calm in emergency and high pressure situations.

6. The interpersonal skills necessary to interact with patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff.

7. The written and verbal skills necessary to instruct patients, families, and hospital staff on respiratory care procedures and to do appropriate documentation.

8. Respiratory Care Practitioners assigned to the Emergency Department must demonstrate the ability to perform the associated competencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Moderate physical effort. Requires continuous standing, walking, or bending. May require frequent lifting or moving of average weight material, or occasionally lifting or moving heavy weight material.
2. The flow of work and character of duties involves normal mental and visual attention along with manual coordination.
WORKING CONDITIONS: (Describe any unfavorable working conditions or hazards).
1. Conditions are acceptable. At least one disagreeable element or hazard, i.e. high pressure gases, is frequently present in the environment, while several disagreeable elements or hazards are occasionally present.

About Northwest Community Healthcare

In January 2021, Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) joined NorthShore University HealthSystem, which is now NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health. The NCH Arlington Heights campus features a 509-bed hospital with a Level II Trauma Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a dedicated pediatric acute care center. Throughout the northwest suburbs, NCH has 23 doctor’s offices; five immediate care centers; seven physical rehabilitation sites; and 13 lab locations.

NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system committed to providing access to quality, vibrant, community-connected care, serving an area of more than 4.2 million residents across six northeast Illinois counties. Our more than 25,000 team members and more than 6,000 physicians aim to deliver transformative patient experiences and expert care close to home across more than 300 ambulatory locations and eight acute care hospitals – Edward (Naperville), Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenbrook (Glenview), Highland Park, Northwest Community (Arlington Heights) Skokie and Swedish (Chicago) – all recognized as Magnet hospitals for nursing excellence. Located in Naperville, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, provides for the mental health needs of area residents. For more information, visit NorthShore.org, SwedishCovenant.org, NCH.org and EEHealth.org.