Respiratory Educator & Outpatient Clinic Support

La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.

Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.

The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.

Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for wards of the state, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County

SUMMARY: Provides respiratory-focused staff education and clinical support across inpatient and outpatient settings to promote safe, evidence-based care for pediatric patients. This role develops and delivers training, maintains competency validation and related documentation, supports outpatient clinic workflows, and performs all duties of a Respiratory Therapist while adhering to hospital policies, procedures, and protocols.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Staff Education

1. Educates and maintains Respiratory Competency forms for all Respiratory Team members in advanced respiratory care modalities and departmental protocols
2. Develops and delivers education on newly acquired respiratory equipment, ventilator management, and clinical procedures
3. Delivers Ventilator Classes, Staff Competencies, In-Services, and Trainings to Respiratory Department staff, orientees, students, and multidisciplinary team members
4. Performs Respiratory EMR audits and partners with Educators to maintain and update Staff Competency records
5. Participates in Mock Codes and quality assurance activities

Outpatient Clinic Support 

1. Coordinates pre-visit planning with the Access Team for patient scheduling, screening, and rooming preparations
2. Accurately inputs and maintains patient data in the EMR in a timely manner

Spirometry & Asthma Management

1. Assesses pediatric patient readiness and coaches spirometry testing to ensure acceptable results
2. Generates spirometry reports and collaborates with Providers on Asthma Action Plans
3. Provides self-management education to patients and caregivers on ACT tool usage, Asthma Action Plans, and Metered Dose Inhaler technique
4. Maintains and cleans spirometry equipment per manufacturer and hospital guidelines; maintains quality control documentation
5. Attends American Lung Association cohort meetings and submits required reports

Technology Dependent Clinic (TDC) & Walk-In-Clinic Support

1. Evaluates patient oxygenation and ventilatory status; interviews patients and caregivers regarding home respiratory regimens
2. Identifies and assesses pediatric patients experiencing acute respiratory distress; provides clinical support and monitors responsiveness to interventions
3. Communicates patient status to the Multidisciplinary Team and makes recommendations for respiratory treatment plan adjustments
4. Provides re-instruction to patients and caregivers on prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies

Continuing Education & Professional Development 

1. Maintains current certifications (BLS, PALS, CEUs for IL State Licensure) and participates in mandatory continuing education and Skills Days
2. Pursues advanced certifications (NRP, RRT, NPS) and participates in professional societies (AARC, ISRC) to support professional growth

Quality Improvement & Departmental Operations

1. Participates in Quality Improvement initiatives and hospital-wide safety programs; files SafePoints as indicated
2. Ensures safe equipment operation through preventative maintenance and troubleshooting; submits work orders for repairs
3. Identifies areas for improvement and escalates concerns to leadership; attends all departmental meetings

Education:

• Graduate of an American Medical Association (AMA) approved Respiratory Care Program
• Related Work Experience:
• Familiarity with the concepts and performance of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation management, inhaled medication administration, airway clearance administration, blood gas analysis, noninvasive monitoring, tracheostomy tube and tie exchange, etc. in a pediatric setting preferred

Licensure/Certification:

• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) required; Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) preferred; Registered Respiratory Therapist Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (RRT-NPS) preferred; only credentialing issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care will be accepted
• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) preferred; only credentialing issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care will be accepted
• Completion of Implementation and Interpretation of Spirometry continuing education activity preferred; only CEUs issued by the American Lung Association will be accepted; must be obtained within 6 months of hire
• Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) preferred; only certifications issued by the American Lung Association and/or The National Board of Respiratory Care will be accepted; must be obtained within 18 months of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required; Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification preferred; PALS must be obtained within 6 months of hire; Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) preferred; only certifications issued by the American Heart Association will be accepted
• Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDPFR) Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required

Specialist Knowledge & Skills:

• Experience in the management of the pediatric patient requiring tracheostomy tube and mechanical ventilator required
• Experience in the performance of spirometry with pediatric patients required
• Excellent verbal communication skills required

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.   

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.