Respiratory Therapy New Graduate Residency

Overview: All new graduates are placed into our new graduate residency program. The residency is a paid program and all residents are employed by Lurie Children’s. This innovative and unique pextended orientation assists new graduates to become clinically competent, critical thinking clinicians. Now hiring for August & November 2022!
The Respiratory Care Practitioner provides respiratory care services for the safe and effective care of neonatal, pediatric and adult patient populations. Performs direct patient care in all aspects of respiratory care according to order, protocol or clinical pathway. Determines effectiveness of therapy. Operates and maintains all equipment needed for the respiratory management of critically ill patients. Acts as the primary resource to parents, patients, and all Hospital personnel regarding pulmonary illness, therapies and equipment. Understands and integrates into the delivery of patient care the needs of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent and adult patients in regard to their growth and development process. Actively supports the Hospital and department's quality goals and service excellence principles.
Residency Program Overview
New graduate respiratory therapists are placed into our new graduate residency program upon hire. The residency is a paid program and all residents are employed by Lurie Children’s. This innovative and unique program serves as an extended orientation to our organization and assists new graduates in becoming clinically competent, critical thinking clinicians. The upcoming residency cohorts will begin in August & November 2022.Responsibilities:Curriculum

• Education is provided by experienced Respiratory Therapists, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other disciplines.
• 5 months of extended clinical, classroom and simulation training focused on the care of critically ill children and neonates.
  • 80%; One on one precepted training in all of our clinical areas (NICU, PICU, CCU, general care, PACU, OR, ED and more)
  • 20%; Classroom, lab and Simulation education (physiology, pediatric patient assessment, disease management, mechanical ventilation strategies, pharmacology, ECMO and much more!

2022 will be our 6th year of this amazing program. Our residency graduates have worked in our CCU, NICU, PICU and general areas. They have gone on to on become ECMO specialists, team leaders, pulmonary habilitation specialists, preceptors, committee chairs, mentors and formal managers. We are so delighted by their growth and advancement
Essential Job Functions:

• Performs respiratory care according to policies/procedures/protocols. Anticipates impending emergent situations and intervenes effectively.
• Institutes, monitors, maintains and troubleshoots respiratory care equipment including mechanical ventilation, high frequency ventilation, oxygen delivery devices, aerosol delivery devices, etc.
• Provides airway care, administers inhaled medications, performs airway clearance, bronchial hygiene and lung expansion therapy.
• Performs patient assessment and analyzes laboratory and diagnostic data in order to assist in patient plan of care.
• Initiates, monitors and maintains therapeutic gases including heliox, nitric oxide, oxygen and nitrogen.
• Communicates with the family and members of the multidisciplinary team to identify health care needs.
• Evaluates the patient's progress through continuous observation and assessment of responses to interventions, treatments, and therapies. Recommends revision in the care plan according to changes in patient needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of pertinent aspects and competency with protocols related to the use of chemical disinfection, high level disinfection, and sterilization as required.
• Keeps up to date in respiratory care by utilizing current respiratory and healthcare literature for information and problem solving.
• Incorporates current hospital and departmental quality initiatives into daily activities.
• Works cooperatively as a team member to foster achievement of department/hospital goals
• Adheres to communication, service excellence and professional image standards that support the hospital mission and philosophy.
• Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers and others.

Qualifications:

• Graduate, or soon to be graduate, of a CoARC accredited associates degree program in respiratory care. Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.
• Current licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in the state of Illinois(must have by first day of employment)
• Active RRT Credential (Registered Respiratory Therapist) from the National Board for Respiratory Care. New graduates must obtain the RRT within 3 months of hire.
• Basic Life Support Certification. PALS, NRP and ACLS Certification within the first year of employment. All certifications must be from the American Heart Association.
• 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.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, physicians and hospital staff.
• Preferred: 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.