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Graduate Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Pediatrics

Advocate Health · Oak Lawn, IL

Posted Sep 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a clinical situation in school or clinicals where you had to make a quick decision without a supervisor right there.

comfort with autonomy and judgment given this role works under a licensed RT's guidance but still needs independent decision-making

Tell me about a time you noticed something wasn't right with a piece of equipment before it became a bigger problem.

vigilance and initiative around equipment safety checks, which the job explicitly requires

Describe a time you disagreed with a physician's order or a colleague's approach to a patient's care.

conflict resolution skill and whether they escalate appropriately rather than either staying silent or being combative

Tell me about a time you had to learn something completely new very quickly, without much lead time.

adaptability for a new grad entering a demanding orientation across NICU, PICU, cardiac ICU, and ED

Technical

Walk me through how you'd manage an unstable ventilator patient in the NICU whose oxygen saturation suddenly drops.

whether the candidate has a systematic, safe approach to acute deterioration in fragile neonates rather than just book knowledge

What's different about setting up and troubleshooting a ventilator for a premature infant compared to an older child or adult?

foundational knowledge of neonatal versus pediatric respiratory physiology and equipment

Where are you in the process of getting your CRT, and what's your plan for picking up PALS, NRP, and the other certifications on this timeline?

realistic self-awareness about certification requirements and follow-through on a tight 45-day and beyond timeline

How would you approach lifting and transferring a 150-pound patient safely with a coworker on the sliding sheet?

understanding of the physical demands and safe body mechanics required for this job

What do you know about patient-driven respiratory protocols, and how would you apply one for a patient with worsening symptoms?

understanding of protocol-based care versus strictly physician-ordered treatments

Situational

How would you explain a breathing treatment and its purpose to a scared eight-year-old and their parent at the same time?

ability to adjust communication style for both a pediatric patient and an anxious caregiver

If you're pulled between the NICU, the PICU, and the pediatric ED in the same shift, how do you decide what to prioritize?

ability to triage across multiple high-acuity units, which this rotating assignment model demands

You notice a near-miss, like a med almost given to the wrong patient, but no harm occurred. What do you do next?

commitment to a culture of safety and honest reporting of near misses, called out directly in the job description

How do you keep yourself alert and sharp working overnight shifts, especially every other weekend and holiday?

realistic plan for sustaining performance and safety on a 7p-7a schedule long term

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: 3rd shift Pay Range: $35.50 - $53.25 *** $20,000 Sign-On Bonus Available*** **Loan Forgiveness & Tuition Reimbursement– Up to 20K each ** ​*Relocation Bonus Available** Grow Your Career, Earn More:  Through our Clinical Ladder Program, eligible Respiratory Therapists can advance their careers and earn up to  $6,000 in additional yearly bonus opportunities. Location : Advocate Children's Hospital - 4440 W. 95th St, Oak Lawn Schedule : Full-time | 36 hrs/week | 3rd Shift (7p-7am) | Every other weekend & holiday rotation Advocate Children’s Hospital (ACH) -Oak Lawn is seeking talented, motivated respiratory therapists with a passion for the smallest of patients. New team members receive a robust orientation and build the skillset to work in the Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, Pediatric Cardiac ICU, Pediatric General Floors, and Pediatric Emergency Department. The pediatric respiratory care department works solely with the neonatal/pediatric population and offers competitive professional and educational growth opportunities. Summary : Responsible for providing and coordinating comprehensive respiratory care The Respiratory therapist administers respiratory care procedures and modalities in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Using evidence-based practices, clinical decision making, and skilled communication, the therapist compassionately leads efforts to creates the safest patient environment and the best patient experience across the continuum, under the guidance of a licensed respiratory therapist in designated areas per site discretion. Major Responsibilities: • Responsible for providing and coordinating comprehensive respiratory care The Respiratory therapist administers respiratory care procedures and modalities in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Using evidence-based practices, clinical decision making, and skilled communication, the therapist compassionately leads efforts to creates the safest patient environment and the best patient experience across the continuum, under the guidance of a licensed respiratory therapist in designated areas per site discretion. • Operates specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care venues. Assists physician with bedside or other procedures as applicable to facility. • Provides medication treatments and therapies per physician order and/or patient driven respiratory protocols (PDRP's) as prescribed. • Cleans, maintains and ensures proper functionality of equipment. Can troubleshoot equipment as necessary and identifies the need for service and/or repair. • Educates and instructs patients in purpose, technique, self-care, goal of therapy, and disease management. • Facilitates clinical problem solving and collaborates with other departments to provide education on managing patients. • Under physician direction, the respiratory therapist must be able to adapt and comply to policies and procedures for a variety of different service areas, perform tasks and/or special duties as required by assignment and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors. • Promotes a culture of safety by recognizing and applying proper safety measures to prevent patient harm. Reports patient safety events and near misses in a timely manner. Seeks to identify potential safety issues and assists in the implementation of corrective actions. • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: • Respiratory Therapist certification (CRT) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) needs to be obtained within 45 days, and • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), and • Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and • Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) certification issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and • Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Specialist (NPS) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required. Education Required: • Associate's Degree in Respiratory Therapy. Experience Required: • No experience required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Demonstrates effective communication, feedback, and conflict resolution skills. • Effective organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills. • Problem solving and decision making for patient care and equipment use. • Proficient computer skills, use of electronic mail and electronic medical record systems. • Excellent communication (written and verbal), listening and interpersonal skills. • Demonstrates human relation skills with the ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of patients, team members, and physicians. Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others. • Demonstrates time management skills with an ability to multi-task and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job. • Must be able to lift 50 lb object from knee to waist. • Must be able to lift 50 lb from floor to waist height occasionally. • Must be able to lift 40 lb at waist height and carry it across various distances. • Must be able to lift 20 lb from waist to overhead. • Must be able to push/pull while utilizing 30# of force occasionally for long distances. • Must demonstrate stand-pivot transfer from bed to chair. • Must perform sliding transfer of 150 lbs person on a sheet across 2 feet with a second person. • Must utilize safe body mechanics at all times. • This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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