Respiratory Therapy Apprentice May 2028 Graduates

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The hourly rate for this position is $17.00/hour This is an Hourly position.

Starting pay for this position is $17.00/hour.

POSITION SUMMARY: A Respiratory Therapy Apprentice participates in a two year apprenticeship program. The program is for students accepted and enrolled into an accredited respiratory therapist program. During the first semester of the program, participants will spend 8 hours each week in the clinical setting following a respiratory therapist. Participants will observe a variety of clinical tasks, levels of care and patient populations during the observation period.

After the completion of the first semester of the Respiratory Therapy program, participants will serve patients, two shifts each week (7p-11p) by providing respiratory therapy interventions to patients on general medical floors. The goal of this program is to transition into a Registered Respiratory Therapist role after your apprenticeship, graduation and completion of respiratory therapy boards. Clinical experiences help grow assessment skills to assist in successful completion of respiratory therapy boards.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• High School Diploma/ GED; Must be accepted into Illinois Central College's Respiratory Therapist Program.

Licensure/Certification:

• American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider certification.

Other skills/ knowledge:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to be detail oriented.
• Must be accepted into an accredited Respiratory Therapist Program. Remain in good standing in the respiratory therapist program. Complete 8 hours observation each week during the first semester. After the first semester, complete two shifts each week, 7p-11p throughout the remainder of the respiratory therapy program.

OSF Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Respiratory Therapy Apprentice Program Information:

What is being offered:

Selected participants will enroll in the Fall 2026 Illinois Central College Respiratory Therapy Program, work minimal hours at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center as a Respiratory Therapy Apprentice during the program, and after completion of the program work Full Time as an OSF Registered Respiratory Therapist. 

To be eligible:

Participants must be enrolled into the Illinois Central College Respiratory Therapy program for the Fall 2026 semester. 

Program Details:

• Tuition, fees and books are paid for the Illinois Central College Respiratory Therapy program.
• Students who are accepted into the apprentice program will be employed by OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.  
• After completion of the first semester of the Respiratory Therapy Program, participants will transition to work two, 4 hour shifts each week and paid at the rate of $22.12 per hour. The additional 32 hours will be compensated at the rate of $16.00 per hour.
• Participants must be scheduled to sit for the first of the NBRC [National Board for Respiratory Care] credentialing exam within 30 days of program completion and successfully pass both the NBRC TMC (The Multiple Choice) and CSE (Clinical Simulation Exam) exams within 90 days. Proof of Application must be made for Illinois Licensure.  Licensure must be obtained within six months of hire per the Licensure Practice Act.
• Program participants are required to work as a Registered Respiratory Therapist at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center for two years from the date of credentialing.