Respiratory Care Practitioner

At Lurie Children's we understand that caring for kids takes more than medicine. From diagnosis through treatment, it requires compassion and understanding that kids do best when they get to be kids. With a team of world-renowned pediatric experts and kid-friendly care, there’s a reason we’re ranked the #1 children’s hospital in Illinois, nationally ranked in all 11 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report, and home to one of fewer than 100 programs in the nation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a highly sophisticated mechanical heart/lung support system.

As a Respiratory Care Practitioner at Lurie Children's, you will be at the heart of our pediatric care team, making a difference everyday by providing top-quality and compassionate respiratory care services for the safe and effective care of neonatal, pediatric, and adolescent patients.

Copy the link below into your browser to watch a brief, heartwarming video of our RTs: https://youtu.be/1X592zBlQYk?si=QHekVJXiQ_ZcwMTL

Respiratory Care Practitioners:

• Perform respiratory care according to policies, procedures, and protocols of Lurie Children’s.

• Perform patient assessment and analyze laboratory and diagnostic data to assist in patient plan of care.

• Institute, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot respiratory care equipment including but not limited to mechanical ventilation, high frequency ventilation, oxygen delivery devices, aerosol delivery devices.

• Provide airway care, administer inhaled medications, perform airway clearance, bronchial hygiene, and lung expansion therapy.

• Initiate, monitor, and maintain therapeutic gases including heliox, nitric oxide, oxygen and nitrogen.

• Evaluate the patient’s progress through continuous observation and assessment of responses to interventions, treatments, and therapies and recommends revision in the care plan according to changes in patient needs.

• Demonstrate knowledge of pertinent aspects and competency with protocols related to the use of chemical disinfection, high level disinfection, and sterilization as required.

• Informed and up to date in respiratory care by utilizing current respiratory and healthcare literature for information and problem solving.

• Communicate with the family and members of the multidisciplinary team to identify health care needs.

• Anticipate impending emergent situations and intervenes effectively.  

Units We Support:

Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU)-

• 64 single bed unit, committed to providing top-quality care using the most recent advancements in equipment and techniques, with specialized attention to pulmonary issues, critical care, and other specialty needs. 

• Access to the latest interventions and treatments including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), specialty ventilation techniques, and transplant services​. 

Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)-

• Level IV facility

• One of the top programs in the state/region

• Specializes in Neurocritical care for infants with neurological problems, severe respiratory issues, lung disease, birth defects and other genetic disorders, and surgical intervention for complex surgical problems.

Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)-

• High Tech, state-of-the-art, 48-bed unit, devoted to the care of young patients with cardiac disease.

Positions we are hiring for:

• FT 36 hour: Night shift, 7p-7a,12-hour shifts

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate of a Center on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredited program in respiratory care. Minimal requirement: Associate Degree.

• Licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in the state of Illinois, active and in good standing.

• Active CRT (certified respiratory therapist) Credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC.)  

• Basic Life Support Certification from American Heart Association. 

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff.

• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills, accepting of change, demonstrate adaptability.

• Must possess the skills and judgement necessary to implement medical plan of care, clinical interventions and procedures as needed for the patient.  

Required within 90 days of hire:

• Active RRT (registered respiratory therapist) certification from National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC.)

Required within 1 year of hire:

• PALS/ NRP/ ACLS certificate.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS) credential by the NBRC. 

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Respiratory Care or a biological science. 

• Previous neonatal and pediatric critical care experience.

What we offer you:

In addition to competitive pay and benefits, there are numerous opportunities for advancement as well as continuing education, grand rounds, free e-learnings, on site master’s degree programs, scholarship programs, BCEN voucher programs, conference reimbursement and more! You tell us where you want to be in your career, and we will help you get there!

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