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Respiratory Therapist

HSHS · Springfield, IL · $31.03–$46.54 an hour · Full time

Posted Jul 7, 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 part of a difficult airway or code. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and effective in emergencies, which nights at a regional center bring often.

St. John's sees complex patients. What experience do you have with ICU-level respiratory care?

What they are checking: Whether they have, or can quickly build, skills for complex acuities the posting highlights.

If you're a new grad, how will you handle the jump from school to nights in a busy hospital?

What they are checking: Whether they know when to ask for help and have realistic expectations about the first months.

How do you work with nursing on shared patients so care stays coordinated?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate across disciplines rather than working in a silo.

What would you do

You're on nights and get called to a patient on BiPAP who is getting more tired and confused. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize BiPAP failure and push for intubation before the patient crashes.

You have a long list of scheduled treatments and get pulled to an emergency. How do you manage the rest of your work?

What they are checking: Whether they prioritize and hand off or communicate so routine care isn't silently missed.

A physician orders a treatment you don't think is helping. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they offer clinical input respectfully and use therapist-driven protocols where they exist.

About the work

Walk me through how you read an arterial blood gas and decide what to change on the ventilator.

What they are checking: Whether they can interpret ABGs and adjust settings safely in high-acuity patients.

How do you approach weaning a patient from the ventilator?

What they are checking: Whether they know spontaneous breathing trials and the signs that a patient is or isn't ready.

How do you prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia?

What they are checking: Whether they follow the bundle, including head of bed, oral care and sedation breaks.

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The full job description

As published by HSHS.

Pay Range: $31.03 - $46.54 A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education. HSHS St. John's Hospital is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to join our Team. Ideal candidates are patient focused, mission driven caregivers looking for an opportunity to apply clinical knowledge in a fast-paced environment with complex acuities. New grads welcomed to apply. Position Specifics: o Department: Respiratory Therapy o Core Function: Rehab/Therapy/Sleep o Schedule: Nights, 36 hrs/wk, 7P-7A o Facility: St John’s Hospital o Location: Springfield, IL o Sign On Bonus: up to $20,000 Compensation that aligns with your experience Education Qualifications • Diploma or an Associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an Accredited Respiratory Care Education Program is required. • Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from an Accredited Respiratory Care Education Program is preferred. Experience Qualifications • N/A Certifications, Licenses and Registrations • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is required. • Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or eligibility for licensure in the state of practice is required. License must be obtained within 6 months. • Basic Life Support (BLS) is required. • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is preferred. Job Description Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36 Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day. Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a health care system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments. Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient. Benefits: HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits. • Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues. • Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need. • Retirement benefits including HSHS contributions. • Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period. • Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more! • Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more! Benefits HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants. Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions. These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS. Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org

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