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Respiratory Care Practitioner (RRT)

SSM Health · IL · $30.93–$46.40 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 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 were called to a rapid response or code. What was your role, and how did it go?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage the airway calmly and work smoothly with the team under pressure.

This is a PRN role that requires 24 hours in each four-week period, plus a holiday and a weekend shift. How would you manage that commitment?

What they are checking: Whether they will reliably meet the minimum and can work days, nights or weekends as the department needs.

Tell me about a time you had to work with a patient who was very anxious about their breathing.

What they are checking: Whether they can bring comfort and confidence to a scared patient while still giving effective care.

What would you do

You think a treatment ordered for a patient isn't helping or isn't needed. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up with evidence and work with the physician instead of giving useless or harmful therapy.

How do you prioritize when you have several treatments due across different floors at the same time?

What they are checking: Whether they triage by clinical urgency and communicate delays rather than just going in order.

About the work

Walk me through how you assess a patient to decide the right type and frequency of respiratory treatment.

What they are checking: Whether they evaluate breath sounds, work of breathing and history to build a plan instead of just following a schedule.

A patient on a ventilator suddenly has high peak pressure alarms. What do you check first?

What they are checking: Whether they can troubleshoot quickly and systematically, from the patient to the tube to the circuit.

How do you interpret an arterial blood gas? Give me an example of results that would worry you.

What they are checking: Whether they can read ABGs accurately and connect the numbers to what's happening with the patient.

How do you teach a patient with COPD to use their inhaler correctly?

What they are checking: Whether they check technique with teach-back, since poor technique is a common reason treatments fail.

What steps do you take to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia?

What they are checking: Whether they know and actually follow prevention practices like head-of-bed elevation and oral care.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling IL-SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mount Vernon Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Join a team where your work matters—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. As a Respiratory Care Practitioner, you will play a crucial role in providing respiratory care services to our patients which will include assessing patients' respiratory conditions, developing and implementing treatment plans, and monitoring their progress. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. Ideal candidate will have experience with critical care patients, Hamilton ventilators, bedside bronchoscopy, nursery level II with Neonatal Resuscitation Program credentials, emergency room respiratory therapy modalities, medical floor respiratory therapy modalities. Certified Respiratory Therapists or Registered Respiratory Therapists welcome! *Note that pay scale below is for a Registered Respiratory Therapist only. • Department: Respiratory Therapy • Schedule: Schedule: Full-time, Night Shift (6:30pm-7am), Rotating weekends/holiday coverage, two-three on call shifts per schedule • Sign-On Bonus: Ask your recruiter about sign-on bonus eligibility Apply today. SSM Health – We bring out the incredible in you, everyday. Pay Range: $30.93 - $46.40 Pay Rate Type: Hourly SSM Health values the skills and talents that each team member brings to our organization. Compensation for this role is based on a variety of components including relevant experience, labor market, and other qualifications. The posted pay range for this position is what SSM Health reasonably expects, in good faith, to offer based on the circumstances at the time of posting. SSM Health may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law. Job Summary: Provides evaluation of and care for respiratory therapy patients. Administers prescribed respiratory therapeutic services. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Assesses patient for appropriate type and frequency of treatment and develops a plan of care based on diagnosis. • Responsible for providing respiratory care services in accordance with specific physician's orders, department policies and procedures and guidelines. • Implements and monitors patient care plan and equipment. Monitors, records and communicates patient condition. Performs advanced respiratory care modalities. • Evaluates respiratory practice, administration of medications, and treatment based on patient outcome. • Educates the patient and family about the health condition and provides information about community support groups and other available programs. • Assists with care, calibration and maintenance of all equipment. Participates in maintaining departmental inventory levels for supplies and equipment. Processes equipment per established cleaning/sterilization procedures. • Responds to Medical Emergencies and Rapid Responses. • 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 • No experience required. 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 • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) • And • Respiratory Care Practitioner, Registered - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Work Shift: Night Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 4302000046 Respiratory Therapy Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 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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