Jobs › Northwestern Medicine

Respiratory Care Assistant- Casual Rotating

Northwestern Medicine · Lake Forest, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Northwestern Medicine

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 supporting a respiratory care department.

What they are checking: The posting is basic level respiratory care activities supporting the department.

This is casual rotating. How do you stay sharp when your hours vary?

What they are checking: The posting states casual status and a rotating shift.

Casual rotating at Lake Forest. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states the status, the rotation and the site.

What would you do

What patient data can you collect, and what must you not do with it?

What they are checking: The posting is explicit that collection does not include interpretation.

Where is the line between your role and a licensed therapist's?

What they are checking: The posting defines the role by delegation from a licensed professional, and the boundary is the job.

You notice something about a patient that worries you. What do you do?

What they are checking: An assistant is often at the bedside and passing it on is the right action.

How do you keep equipment ready so a therapist is never waiting?

What they are checking: The department runs on equipment being where it should be, clean and assembled.

How do you work with therapists across different shifts who do things differently?

What they are checking: A rotating casual assistant works with every team in the department.

About the work

Walk me through cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing respiratory equipment.

What they are checking: The posting names this as the first listed basic respiratory care activity.

How do you assemble a circuit or piece of equipment correctly?

What they are checking: The posting names assembling equipment used in the practice of respiratory care.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northwestern Medicine from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Respiratory Care Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. • This position supports the Respiratory Care department and is primarily responsible for basic level respiratory care activities as listed in the Respiratory Care Practice Act. This position applies fundamental concepts, practices and procedures/policies. RESPONSIBILITIES: "Basic respiratory care activities" means and includes all of the following activities: (1) Cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment used in the practice of respiratory care as delegated by a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel. (2) Assembling equipment used in the practice of respiratory care as delegated by a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel. (3) Collecting and reviewing patient data through non-invasive means, provided that the collection and review does not include the individual's interpretation of the clinical significance of the data. Collecting and reviewing patient data includes the performance of pulse oximetry, incentive spirometry and non-invasive monitoring procedures in order to obtain vital signs and notification to licensed health care professionals and other authorized licensed personnel in a timely manner. (4) Maintaining a nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen therapy in the proper position on the patient's face. (5) Assembling a nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen therapy at patient bedside in preparation for use. (6) Maintaining a patient's natural airway by physically manipulating the jaw and neck, suctioning the oral cavity, or suctioning the mouth or nose with a bulb syringe. (7) Performing assisted ventilation during emergency resuscitation using a manual resuscitator. (8) Using a manual resuscitator at the direction of a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel who is present and performing routine airway suctioning. These activities do not include care of a patient's artificial airway or the adjustment of mechanical ventilator settings while a patient is connected to the ventilator. Required : • Basic Life Support (BLS) • Actively enrolled in an approved school or program for respiratory care. Preferred : • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

Apply at Northwestern Medicine