Jobs › Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Lead Respiratory Therapist

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Chicago, IL · $29.71–$49.42 an hour · Full time

Posted Feb 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.

About your past

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a physician's respiratory order. How did you raise it?

What they are checking: Whether they advocate for the patient with evidence while respecting the care team.

Tell me about a time you noticed a safety issue with equipment or practice and got it fixed.

What they are checking: Ownership of quality and safety beyond their own patients, which leads are expected to show.

What would you do

As the lead, how do you assign patients across the respiratory team on a busy shift?

What they are checking: Whether they balance acuity, skill and continuity rather than splitting the work evenly by count.

A patient's oxygen saturation drops and their trach may be blocked. Walk me through what you do.

What they are checking: Calm emergency skills for trach obstruction or decannulation, which can turn fatal in minutes.

A newer therapist is hesitant with trach changes. How do you build their confidence?

What they are checking: Mentoring ability, which is a core part of being the lead.

About the work

Many of our patients have high spinal cord injuries or are being weaned from ventilators. Walk me through how you approach a weaning plan for a trach patient in rehab.

What they are checking: Clinical depth in long-term ventilator weaning, which differs from quick weaning in an ICU.

How do you decide when a patient is ready for a speaking valve, and what do you watch for during a trial?

What they are checking: Knowledge of cuff deflation, tolerance signs and teamwork with speech therapy on communication goals.

How do you calculate and adjust ventilator settings based on blood gases or patient comfort?

What they are checking: Solid grasp of ventilation and oxygenation principles and how to apply them safely.

How do you teach a family to care for a trach and ventilator before they take their loved one home?

What they are checking: Skill in teaching nonclinical caregivers and checking they can actually do it, not just that they heard it.

How do you work with physical and occupational therapy so a ventilated patient can take part in therapy safely?

What they are checking: Interdisciplinary thinking in rehab, where respiratory care supports mobility and function goals.

What infection prevention steps do you follow and enforce for ventilator and trach care?

What they are checking: Knowledge of practices that reduce ventilator-associated infections in patients who stay a long time.

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The full job description

As published by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing Mission and Vision. You’ll work in a truly inclusive environment where diversity and equity are championed through words and actions. You’ll contribute to an innovative culture that is second to none, one that embraces curiosity, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together. Job Description Summary The Lead Respiratory Care Practitioner will serve as a valued member of the clinical team caring for patients requiring respiratory therapy services. The individual will consistently demonstrate support of the Shirley Ryan Abilitylab statement of Vision, Mission, and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts, and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute. The individual will demonstrate Shirley Ryan Abilitylab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Core Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties. Job Description Job Description • Calculate and distribute daily shift assignments for staff and communicate assigned areas to nursing floors. • Verify department assignment sheets have been properly updated and saved for on-coming shift. • Verify proper staffing and address any staffing shortages for on-coming shifts. • Communicate any supply shortages or equipment issues to the appropriate department / hospital personnel. • Conducts patient assessments and interprets clinical data necessary for the delivery of quality patient care. • Implement and evaluate the plan of care related to respiratory procedures including but not limited to aerosol, secretion mobilization, and hyperinflation therapies. • Provide care for patients requiring ventilator assistance, complex respiratory devices, and procedures. Maintains emergency airway equipment for patients with artificial airways. • Perform diagnostic studies on patients as designated by department policy and/or by physician order. When applicable, consults with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals and participates in daily patient rounds for assigned area to promote consistent quality and delivery of patient care. • Complete all documentation for patient charting in compliance with standards for accuracy and content as established by the department and the Shirley Ryan Abilitylab. • Participate in the implementation of clinical research protocols and trials that involve respiratory patients. • Performs other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan Abilitylab. Reporting Relationships Reports directly to the Manager, Respiratory Care. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required : • Associates Degree. National Board of Respiratory Care RRT credential or CRT credential with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in an acute inpatient setting and completion of RRT within 1 year of being hired. • In lieu of RRT credential will accept CRT credential with a minimum of 8 years’ experience as a substitute. • Minimum 2 years of post-school experience as a RCP, one year should reflect experience in critical care. • Completion of a nationally accredited degree program in Respiratory Therapy Strong leadership skills for communication, assertiveness, and conflict resolution. • Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions, and take appropriate actions to resolve problems using independent judgement and decision-making processes. • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, faculty, students, and the public. Ability to interpret and apply regulations, standards, and policies. • Ability to relate to a diverse population and to maintain composure when faced with difficult situations. Licenses/certifications required: • Illinois State Licensure for Respiratory Care Practitioner • National Board for Respiratory Care Credential RRT or CRT • Basic Cardiac Life Support certified, American Heart Association • Advanced Cardiac Life Support certified, American Heart Association • Pediatric Advanced Life Support certified, American Heart Association Preferred : Previous Experience in a supervisory, lead therapist or charge therapist role Neonatal/ Pediatric Specialist (NPS)- National Board of Respiratory Care Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) or higher Working Conditions • Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature. Exposure to moderately adverse working conditions in performing certain patient care activities. Occasional exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients. • The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Pay and Benefits*: Pay Range: $29.71 - $49.42 Benefits: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits *Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law. EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.

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