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Respiratory Care Practitioner Lead (RRT)

SSM Health · WI · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 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 led peers who used to be your coworkers. How did that go?

What they are checking: Whether they can step into a lead role with former peers while keeping trust and authority.

How do you keep the respiratory team in sync with nursing and physicians on the units?

What they are checking: Communication across departments, which affects how quickly patients get the therapy they need.

This is a 32-hour role with mixed 8 and 12-hour shifts, some nights, weekends and holidays. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: Whether they can commit to a flexible schedule and help cover staffing gaps as the posting describes.

Tell me about a time you helped train a new therapist. What did you focus on?

What they are checking: Mentoring ability, since leads shape how new staff learn safe practice.

What would you do

As a lead, you'd coordinate shift operations for the respiratory team. Walk me through how you would assign work at the start of a busy shift.

What they are checking: Matching therapists to patient acuity and skills so the most critical patients get the right person.

You're short a therapist on nights and the workload is heavy. What do you do?

What they are checking: Prioritizing treatments, asking for help through proper channels and keeping patients safe when staffing is short.

A therapist on your shift keeps skipping assessments before giving treatments. How do you address it?

What they are checking: Giving direct, fair feedback on practice concerns and escalating if the behavior does not change.

How do you handle a disagreement with a physician about a patient's respiratory plan?

What they are checking: Advocating with clinical reasoning and respect while keeping the patient's safety first.

About the work

The posting says you'd be a technical and clinical resource. How do you troubleshoot a ventilator alarm that a newer therapist can't figure out?

What they are checking: Strong ventilator knowledge and the ability to teach it calmly at the bedside.

Walk me through how you'd manage a patient on BiPAP who's getting worse.

What they are checking: Recognizing failure of noninvasive ventilation and working with the team on timely intubation if needed.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling WI-SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Janesville Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Join a team where your work maters - every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM health, you'll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive and inspired to make a lasting impact. In this role, you will b ring comfort, confidence, and expert care to every patient you encounter. While also leading assigned staff in performing activities and tasks in respiratory care. Join our team where your skills are valued and your impact is felt every day. Department: Respiratory Therapy at St. Mary's Hospital Janesville Schedule: 32-hour varied-shift Respiratory Care Practitioner Lead role. The schedule will likely consist of a mix of 8-hour and 12-hour shifts, some occasional night shifts with the flexibility to support staffing needs when necessary. The position will also include weekend and holiday rotation requirements. Apply today. SSM Health - We bring out the incredible in you, every day. Job Summary: Leads assigned staff in performing activities or tasks in respiratory care. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Leads or coordinates shift operations of assigned activities, resources, and/or associates. • Serves as a technical or clinical resource and performs similar duties with staff. • Assigns, monitors and reviews progress of work. Monitors and reports compliance with policies and/or procedures. • Oversees and evaluates orientation and training of assigned associates. May provide input in the review and evaluation of staff performance. • May perform the duties of a Respiratory Care Practitioner. • Must be able to provide initial assistance for those needing emergency intervention. • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. • Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION • Associate's degree in Respiratory Care or equivalent years of experience and education. EXPERIENCE • Two years' experience PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Constant use of speech to share information through oral communication. • Constant standing and walking. • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs. • Frequent sitting, reaching and keyboard use/data entry. • Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors. • Frequent use of smell to detect/recognize odors. • Frequent use of hearing to receive oral communication, distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. • Occasional lifting/moving of patients. • Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting, gripping and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. • Occasional driving. • Rare crawling and running. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) • And • Respiratory Care Practitioner, Registered - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) State of Work Location: Missouri • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) • And • Respiratory Care Practitioner - Missouri Division of Professional Registration • Or • Respiratory Temp Permit - Missouri Division of Professional Registration State of Work Location: Oklahoma • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) • And • Respiratory Care Practitioner - Oklahoma Medical Board State of Work Location: Wisconsin • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) • And • Respiratory Care Practitioner - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Work Shift: Variable Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 4302000026 Respiratory Therapy Scheduled Weekly Hours: 32 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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