Respiratory Therapist - $34-52 per hour

Company: Advocate Aurora Health
Location: Harwood Heights
Posted on: February 8, 2026

Job Description:

Respiratory Therapist - $34-52 per hour at Advocate Aurora Health summary: A Respiratory Therapist at Advocate Aurora Health provides and coordinates comprehensive respiratory care using evidence-based practices. They perform patient assessments, operate specialized ventilators, administer treatments, maintain equipment, and educate patients to improve respiratory health. The role requires strong communication, problem-solving skills, and adherence to safety protocols in a clinical setting. Advocate Aurora Health is seeking a Respiratory Therapist for a job in Harwood Heights, Illinois. Job Description & Requirements • Specialty: Respiratory Therapist • Discipline: Allied Health Professional • Duration: Ongoing • 36 hours per week • Shift: nights • Employment Type: Staff Weekend differential of $11 p/hr, as part of Weekend Program Sign-On Bonus Available May be eligible for our Loan Forgiveness program – Up to 20K Location: Advocate Lutheran General HospitalDempster St, Park Ridge Shift: 3rd FTE: 0.9 Summary: Responsible for providing and coordinating comprehensive respiratory care. The Respiratory therapist administers respiratory care procedures and modalities in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Using evidence-based practices, clinical decision making, and skilled communication, the therapist compassionately leads efforts to create the safest patient environment and the best patient experience across the continuum. Major Responsibilities: • Uses Respiratory therapy processes to support assessment of patient utilizing a variety of skills such as pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiograph, hemodynamic values, laboratory values, and correlates blood gases and electrolytes. Can identify and address the special needs of patient population specific to department services. • Operates specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care venues. Assists physician with bedside or other procedures as applicable to facility. • Provides medication treatments and therapies per physician order and/or patient driven respiratory protocols as prescribed. • Cleans, maintains, and ensures proper functionality of equipment. Troubleshoots equipment as necessary and identifies the need for service and/or repair. • Educates and instructs patients in purpose, technique, self-care, goal of therapy, and disease management. • Facilitates clinical problem solving and collaborates with other departments to provide education on managing patients. • Under physician direction, the respiratory therapist must be able to adapt and comply to policies and procedures for a variety of different service areas, perform tasks and/or special duties as required by assignment and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors. • Demonstrates effective communication, feedback, and conflict resolution skills. Provides clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoff. • Promotes a culture of safety by recognizing and applying proper safety measures to prevent patient harm. Reports patient safety events and near misses in a timely manner. Seeks to identify potential safety issues and assists in the implementation of corrective actions. • Teaches, educates, and precepts new teammates, orientees, and students. • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: • Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license issued by the state in which the team member practices. • Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) within 12 months OR active Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential issued by the NBRC if credential received prior to January 1, 2023. • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA). • See Education/Certification Addendum for any additional site-specific requirements. Education Required: Graduate from an accredited respiratory care program, with a minimum of an associate degree. Experience Required: No experience required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Effective organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills. • Problem solving and decision making for patient care and equipment use. • Proficient computer skills, use of e-mail and electronic medical record systems. • Excellent communication (written and verbal), listening and interpersonal skills. • Demonstrates human relation skills with the ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of patients, team members, and physicians. Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others. • Demonstrates time management skills with an ability to multi-task and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job. • Must be able to lift 50 lb. object from knee to waist. • Must be able to lift 50 lb. from floor to waist height occasionally. • Must be able to lift 40 lb. at waist height and carry it across various distances. • Must be able to lift 20 lb. from waist to overhead. • Must be able to push/pull while utilizing 30 of force occasionally for long distances. • Must demonstrate stand-pivot transfer from bed to chair. • Must perform sliding transfer of 150 lbs. person on a sheet across 2 feet with a second person. • Must utilize safe body mechanics at all times. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Advocate Aurora Health Job ID R176404. Posted job title: Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Weekend Program About Advocate Aurora Health Advocate Aurora Health’s 22,000 nurses demonstrate our values of excellence, compassion and respect, collaborating to advance our stated purpose of helping people live well. To encourage you to be the best nurse you can, Advocate Aurora will provide support, tools and resources for orientation, education and professional development, in the care setting that is best for you. Your voice as a team member will be heard clearly whether you’re at one of our 10 Magnet® designated hospitals or more than 500 sites of care. Join our team and be inspired to chart a course for Advocate Aurora to become the best place in the nation for nurses to pursue their passion. Benefits • Holiday Pay • Guaranteed Hours • Continuing Education • 401k retirement plan • Pet insurance • Wellness and fitness programs • Mileage reimbursement • Employee assistance programs • Medical benefits • Dental benefits • Vision benefits • Life insurance • Discount program Keywords: respiratory therapy, patient care, ventilator management, pulmonary diagnostics, medication administration, clinical education, respiratory equipment maintenance, critical care, evidence-based practice, respiratory care practitioner

Keywords: Advocate Aurora Health, Downers Grove , Respiratory Therapist - $34-52 per hour, Healthcare , Harwood Heights, Illinois