Respiratory Care Practitioner, PFT Lab

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

General Summary:

Sets up, calibrates, performs lung function studies, performs exercise studies and pulmonary rehab services in conjunction with the exercise physiology laboratory, calculates and prepares patient reports and assists physicians with bronchoscopy procedures.  Understands and integrates into the delivery of patient care the need of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients in regard to their growth and developmental process.   

Actively supports the hospital/department Continuous Quality Improvement and Customer Service goals, individually and as an effective team member.

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs pulmonary function studies which may include administering drugs under medical supervision.

• Performs exercise studies and pulmonary rehab services as needed in conjunction with the exercise physiology lab. 

• Assists physician with bronchoscopies (Respiratory Therapists only). 

• Participates in respiratory education services as needed.

• Demonstrates clinical competence by working independently and consistently providing high quality pulmonary diagnostic services in a manner that assures patient safety and assists in diagnosis and treatment of the patient on and off site.

• Stays up to date on process changes, updates to the lab through email, team meetings and educational seminars.

• Sets up, cleans up, and calibrates equipment for studies, and troubleshoots when necessary.

• Prepares patient for tests which includes, explaining test procedures, ensuring patient safety, obtaining initial assessments and measurements, and properly placing equipment on patient.

• Calculates and prepares test reports and verifies result in Epic.

• Develops and maintains policy and procedure manuals, quality control programs, and safety procedures for the lab that meet the approval of the Medical Director and JCAHO, under the direction of the Cardio-Pulmonary Lab Manager and/or team leader.

• Responsible for maintaining a preventive maintenance program for all laboratory equipment. In conjunction with the Medical Director, Cardio-Pulmonary Manager and Team Leader, evaluates potential new equipment and supplies.

• Ensures that all tests performed are charged as per hospital and lab procedures.

• Responsible for monitoring the laboratory for quality management under the direction of the Cardio-Pulmonary Lab Manager and/or Team Leader.

• Prepares and processes purchase orders/repairs after obtaining appropriate signature.  Puts away supplies on arrival.

• Provides training to technical staff, medical students and residents and pulmonary fellows.

• Attends scheduled educational programs in pulmonary function and respiratory physiology. Attends required hospital in-services.

• Assists with research and clinical projects as directed by Medical Director.

• Coordinates all scheduling for the PFT laboratory assuring patients are in Epic with supporting documentation for billing.

• Assists with NIOSH course platform.

• Additional appropriate projects at the discretion of the Medical Director, manager, and Team Lead.

• Demonstrates knowledge of pertinent aspects and competency with protocols related to the use of chemical disinfection, high level disinfection, and sterilization if required at part of the responsibilities of the role. 

• Acts as a resource for students, respiratory therapists, Residents, Fellows in pediatric pulmonology.

• Receives positive feedback from performance appraisal about experience and skill. Demonstrates ability to set and accomplish a yearly goal within the division and/or department.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate of AMA-approved registry program in Respiratory Therapy or an equivalent degree in Exercise Physiology, Nursing, or other allied health related experience 

• Registry eligible within 6 months of hire and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification required within 12 months of hire.

• BLS certified required.  PALS certification required within 6 months of hire. 

• NIOSH spirometry certification obtained within 6 months of hire.

• Successful completion of on-the-job training program within 6 months. 

• Certification per laboratory standards for bronchoscopy assistance and pulmonary function testing achieved within 6 months (Respiratory Therapists only).

• Certification in Pulmonary Function Technology a plus.

• Ability to take call.

• Ability to travel to outreach locations.

Education

Pay Range

$34.00-$55.59 Hourly

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: [email protected]

AI Notice 

Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals.

It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes.

For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: [email protected]