Registered Respiratory (NICU) Therapist

At UW Health in northern Illinois, you will have:
Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package including: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, retirement, short and long-term disability, paternity leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance
Annual wellness reimbursement
Opportunity for on-site day care through UW Health Kids
Tuition reimbursement for career advancement--ask about our fully funded programs!
Abundant career growth opportunities to nurture professional development
Strong shared governance structure
Commitment to employee voice

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (NICU) is a highly specialized advanced level clinician with training specific to the care of pediatric and neonatal patients during ground critical care transport. This clinician must work in close collaboration with the critical care transport nurse and medical control physician to provide care. They must have exemplary communication and customer service skills as a front-line representative of UW Health.

The priority of the position will be to assure that the Critical Care Transport Ambulance equipment, and supplies are always in a state of readiness. The Registered Respiratory Therapist (NICU) will assist with writing transport policies and procedures in addition to the implementation of protocols and will also provide education and training to healthcare professionals within UW Health and outlying community hospitals.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

Minimum:

• Graduate of a Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) Accredited Program for Respiratory Therapy

Preferred:

• N/A

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

Minimum:

• Licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) in the state of Illinois
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Basic Life Support/CPR Certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Obtain Neonatal Pediatric Specialty (NPS) Certification within 2 years of employment

Preferred:

N/A

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum:

• Two years of experience as a staff therapist, including work with neonatal and/or pediatric critical care patients

Preferred:

• Experience working in a patient transport environment

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to provide complete critical care in the absence of a physician
• Clinical expertise in patient assessment and monitoring
• Clinical expertise in interpretation of blood gases and lab values
• Clinical expertise in mechanical ventilation and administration of nitric oxide
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to quickly and correctly assess and provide appropriate care based on a situation
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with team members, UW Health medical staff, community facility staff, patients, and families
• Ability to acquire and maintain advanced skills such as proficiency in performing basic airway management
• Demonstrates positive working relationships with other departments
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the values of self and others
• Ability to be flexible with work schedules

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITES:

• Provides complete patient care during inter-hospital transports in conjunction with fellow team members.
• Completes patient assignments and stabilizes transport patients.
• Sets priorities, adapting to changing patient situations and initiating action to reduce or correct risk in response to data indicating urgent and/or emergent risk.
• Performs diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, including but not limited to the interpretation of blood gases and lab values, management of mechanical ventilation and high frequency oscillatory ventilation (in patient not on transport), and administration of nitric oxide and continuous nebulizers.
• Represents UW Health to outlying healthcare facilities with superb communication and customer service.
• Assists in writing or revising transport policies and procedures, education, and competencies.
• Leads or participates in Outreach Education as necessary.
• Presents and demonstrates basic pediatric assessments to pediatric "mega-codes".
• Participates in or conducts research as necessary.
• Provides orientation, education, and support to new staff regarding the department and services provided.
• As needed, supervises the work of other therapists, technicians, or students to ensure effective patient care.
• Incorporates standards of practice and clinical practice protocols to maximize clinical effectiveness.
• Utilizes technology effectively to support practice and efficiencies in care delivery.
• Implements practice protocols relevant to patient population.
• Uses research findings in practice.
• Initiates multidisciplinary collaboration to positively impact the outcomes of health provided.
• Initiates steps to support and enhance the patient's responsibility and self-determination in decision making concerning health, treatment, and wellbeing.
• Acquires and maintains current knowledge and clinical specialty and assumes responsibility of the professional development of self, other nursing staff, and students.

ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

UW Health is committed to being a diverse, inclusive and anti-racist workplace and is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Our integrity shines through in patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. Applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, LGBTQ+ and non-binary identities, women, persons with disabilities, military service members and veterans are strongly encouraged. EOE, including disability/veterans.