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Respiratory Therapist - Night

ThedaCare · Appleton, WI · Full time

Posted May 26, 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 ventilator or oxygen order. How did you raise it?

What they are checking: Whether they advocate for the patient with evidence and respect, rather than staying quiet or going around the provider.

Describe a time you caught something during a routine treatment that turned out to matter a lot.

What they are checking: Assessment habits that go beyond running the treatment and checking a box on the schedule.

How do you keep yourself sharp and safe working nights over the long haul?

What they are checking: Self-awareness about fatigue and the habits that keep a night worker reliable rather than burned out.

What do you do at shift change to make sure the day therapist knows exactly where each of your patients stands?

What they are checking: Handoff discipline, since gaps between night and day shift are where breathing patients get missed.

What would you do

It's 3 a.m. and a patient on BiPAP is getting more tired and their gas is worse than an hour ago. Walk me through what you do and who you call.

What they are checking: Whether they recognize failing noninvasive support early and escalate before a crash intubation becomes the only option.

On nights you may be the only therapist covering several units. How do you decide which treatment or call comes first when three come in at once?

What they are checking: Triage judgment when coverage is thin and every page feels urgent, which is the core of a night shift.

A family member at the bedside asks you whether their dad is going to come off the ventilator. What do you say?

What they are checking: Compassion paired with staying inside their scope and steering medical prognosis questions to the right provider.

About the work

How do you read an arterial blood gas? Talk me through one where the pH, CO2 and bicarb didn't tell an obvious story.

What they are checking: Real fluency with mixed acid-base disorders, which nights depend on because a physician may not be at the bedside.

A ventilated patient's peak pressure alarm keeps going off but the plateau pressure is normal. What are you thinking and what do you check first?

What they are checking: Whether they can separate airway resistance problems from lung compliance problems quickly and work through causes in order.

What's your role when a rapid response or code is called overnight, and what do you do in the first two minutes after you arrive?

What they are checking: Airway readiness and knowing their exact job in a code so the team is not waiting on respiratory.

How do you approach a spontaneous breathing trial, and what would make you stop one early?

What they are checking: Whether they follow weaning protocols with judgment and know the real signs that a patient is not ready.

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The full job description

As published by ThedaCare.

Why ThedaCare? Living A Life Inspired! Our new vision at ThedaCare is bold, ambitious, and ignited by a shared passion to provide outstanding care. We are inspired to reinvent health care by becoming a proactive partner in health, enriching the lives of all and creating value in everything we do. Each of us are called to take action in delivering higher standards of care, lower costs and a healthier future for our patients, our families, our communities and our world. At ThedaCare, our team members are empowered to be the catalyst of change through our values of compassion, excellence, leadership, innovation, and agility. A career means much more than excellent compensation and benefits. Our team members are supported by continued opportunities for learning and development, accessible and transparent leadership, and a commitment to work/life balance. If you’re interested in joining a health care system that is changing the face of care and well-being in our community, we encourage you to explore a future with ThedaCare. Benefits , with a whole-person approach to wellness – • Lifestyle Engagement • e.g. health coaches, relaxation rooms, health focused apps (Wonder, Ripple), mental health support • Access & Affordability • e.g. minimal or zero copays, team member cost sharing premiums, daycare About ThedaCare! Summary : The Respiratory Therapist provides best practice, quality respiratory care and education to patients with pulmonary diseases or conditions using a variety of techniques and equipment. Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team and communicates effectively to support patient outcomes. Ensures patient care meets quality standards established by ThedaCare, the department, and regulatory agencies. Maintains skills and knowledge necessary to provide safe, effective, and developmentally appropriate respiratory care to patients of all ages. Job Description: Schedule : Variable shifts every third weekend and third holiday KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: • Assesses, plans, collaborates, and provides individual care through best practices and education to improve or support the patient’s level of health. • Performs various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures according to established standards, procedural guidelines, and policies to provide quality patient care. • Applies knowledge and critical thinking to establish and communicate the plan of care for patients. 4. Participates in decreasing barriers, enhancing customer satisfaction, and reducing wastes and/or costs to support ThedaCare’s safety, quality, and financial goals. • Develops and collaborates with multiple team disciplines to effectively and efficiently provide an exceptional experience for patients, families, and team members. • Works in a team-based environment during urgent situations involving rapidly changing priorities to achieve the highest quality of patient outcomes. • Is accountable for accurate, timely documentation and charges using current technology. • Adapts to a changing healthcare environment. • Is responsible for individual professional growth and development while serving as an expert in the respiratory field. • Uses clinical information to facilitate development and implementation of the prescribed plan of care as appropriate. QUALIFICATIONS: • Associate’s degree from an accredited respiratory care program • American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR certification for healthcare providers • ACLS, PALS, NRP as required by respective role or facility • Current State of Wisconsin License Respiratory Care Practitioner PHYSICAL DEMANDS: • Ability to move freely (standing, stooping, walking, bending, pushing, and pulling) and lift up to a maximum of fifty (50) pounds without assistance • Job classification is exposed to blood borne pathogens (blood or bodily fluids) while performing job duties WORK ENVIRONMENT: • Typically works in climate controlled environment • Frequent movement throughout work environment • Frequent exposure to sharp objects and instruments • Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock • Occasional high noise level in work environment • Possible exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous materials, and pharmacological agents • Occasional contact with aggressive and or combative patients • Use of computers throughout the work day • Frequent use of keyboard with repetitive motion of hands, wrists, and fingers Position requires compliance with department specific competencies. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36 Scheduled FTE: 0.9 Location: ThedaCare Regional Medical Center - Appleton - Appleton,Wisconsin Overtime Exempt: No Worker Shift Details: Nights

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