Respiratory Therapist - PRN

We are seeking a PRN Respiratory Therapist to join our team. This position provides comprehensive, full-scope cardiopulmonary care across all hospital departments, including the Emergency Department (ED), Acute Care/Inpatient Wards, and Outpatient Clinics. Operating in a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) environment, the RRT must possess strong autonomous decision-making skills, as they frequently serve as the sole respiratory expert on-site. This role requires rapid adaptation to stabilize patients of all age groups, from neonatal to geriatric and prepare critical patients for safe transfer to tertiary care facilities.

Responsibilities

Emergency & Critical Care

• Stabilize acute patients presenting to the Emergency Department with severe respiratory distress, trauma, or cardiac arrest.
• Manage mechanical ventilation and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (CPAP/BiPAP), optimizing settings based on patient protocols.
• Perform endotracheal intubation and secure natural or artificial airways during emergent situations.
• Respond immediately to Code Blue and Rapid Response emergencies as a core member of the resuscitation team.
• Prepare and assist with the clinical stabilization and transport preparation for critical care air or ground transfers.

General Inpatient & Outpatient Diagnostics

• Administer respiratory treatments, including aerosolized medications, bronchodilators, PAP, OPEP and chest physiotherapy.
• Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) draws, process samples via an automated analyzer, and interpret results for the attending physician.
• Conduct diagnostic testing such as Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), basic EKGs, Stress Testing, Cardiac Monitors and overnight pulse oximetry.
• Lead outpatient services which may include pulmonary and or cardiac rehabilitation, home oxygen evaluations, and sleep apnea compliance checks.

Collaboration & Education

• Consult with physicians and nursing staff to design, modify, and implement patient care plans.
• Educate patients and families on chronic disease management, proper inhaler techniques, and home respiratory equipment safety.
• Maintain and calibrate all respiratory equipment, performing strict quality control testing to ensure device readiness.

Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy from a CoARC-accredited program.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential by the NBRC.
• Active, unrestricted Illinois state license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• Life Support Certifications:
• • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of 1–2 years of critical care experience (ICU or Emergency Department).
• Prior experience working in a rural healthcare or critical access environment is highly desirable.

Skills and Abilities

• High autonomy: Ability to function efficiently with minimal direct supervision.
• Adaptability: Comfort switching between diverse patient populations (neonatal to geriatric) seamlessly.
• Stress tolerance: Exceptional problem-solving skills under high-pressure, time-sensitive circumstances.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Schedule: Rotating shifts (days, nights, weekends, and holidays) with shared on-call responsibilities.
• Physical requirements: Ability to stand, walk, and move equipment for extended periods; capacity to lift up to 50 lbs.

 Other Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel & Telecommuting

Some travel outside the hospital environment may be required periodically. Some telecommuting and remote work times will be permitted at the approval and coordination with LCMH senior leadership.

Salary & Benefits

• $25.00 -35.00 per hour plus shift differential for evenings, nights and weekends, where applicable. 
• The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
• Benefits: Full-time employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package that includes generous PTO, medical, dental, vision, disability, life, accident, and critical illness insurance. Details on benefits are available upon request.

Other Duties

Please note this position summary is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Information

LCMH is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free of inappropriate or unlawful conduct on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or other protected group status as provided by law. 

Compliance and Regulatory

All employees are required to comply with all laws, regulatory guidelines, and health care policies. This includes, but is not limited to federal, state and local laws, applicable State Departments of Health, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and LCMH Policies and Procedures. All employees are required to be compliant with hand hygiene guidelines as well as to adhere to safe practices, identify and report unsafe practices.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.