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Respiratory Therapist - Per Diem

Endeavor Health · Highland Park, IL · $33.16–$51.40 an hour

Posted Sep 28, 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 an order for respiratory therapy. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they use their expertise to question orders and talk with physicians respectfully.

Tell me about a stressful night shift and what you did to stay effective.

What they are checking: Whether they can stay calm and safe through long, intense night shifts.

What would you do

You're called to a rapid response for a patient in respiratory distress. What's your role when you walk in?

What they are checking: Whether they can take charge of the airway and work smoothly with the code team.

A patient on BiPAP is anxious and keeps pulling the mask off. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can coach patients through therapy and know when it's failing.

As per diem, you could work at any of eight hospitals. How do you get comfortable fast in a new place?

What they are checking: Whether they can adapt to new teams, equipment and layouts safely.

About the work

Walk me through how you assess a patient before giving a breathing treatment.

What they are checking: Whether they assess first and adjust therapy rather than just running orders on autopilot.

How do you adjust your approach for a neonate versus a geriatric patient?

What they are checking: Whether they can truly care for all ages, as this role requires from neonatal to elderly.

How do you manage a ventilated patient overnight, and what alarms would worry you most?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot vent alarms quickly and understand what each one means for the patient.

How do you teach a patient and family to use an inhaler or home nebulizer?

What they are checking: Whether they teach in a way that patients actually remember and use correctly.

What's your experience with arterial blood gases, and how would you interpret one that shows respiratory acidosis?

What they are checking: Whether they can read ABGs and suggest the right change in therapy.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Endeavor Health.

Hourly Pay Range: $33.16 - $51.40 - The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors. Respiratory Therapist Position Highlights: • Locations : Northwest Community Hospital – Arlington Heights, IL, Evanston Hospital - Evanston, IL, Edward Hospital - Naperville, IL, Elmhurst Hospital -Elmhurst, IL Glenbrook Hospital - Northbrook, IL, Highland Park Hospital - Highland Park, IL, Skokie Hospital - Skokie, IL, Swedish Hospital - Chicago, IL • Schedule : Per Diem schedule is flexible as needed primarily 12-hour shifts • Hours : Night shift, 7pm – 7:30am What you will do: Reporting to the Manager of Respiratory Care, performs, teaches, and guides all forms of respiratory therapy, chest physical therapy, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics. • Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and treat all age groups of patients from neonatal to geriatric; implements assessment/treatment based on the developmental stages of the patient. Involves family/guardian in plan of care and conducts patient family education, as appropriate, considering the developmental needs of the patient. • Administers all forms of respiratory therapy including medical gases, medication delivery via the airways, chest physical therapy, pressure breathing treatments, breathing retraining, aerosol and humidity therapy. Understands the equipment, indications, contraindications, hazards, and adverse reactions of each mode of therapy. • Provides intensive respiratory care utilizing advanced techniques and specialized equipment; establishes and maintains an airway during CPR; performs external cardiac massage if necessary. • Performs arterial punctures to obtain blood gas samples, blood gas analysis, and related calculations; performs blood gas lab quality control. • Performs pulmonary function testing including spirometry, lung volume, and DLCO; performs related calculations, and quality control. • Explains purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to patient, family, and hospital personnel; develops and delivers home care instructions to patients. • Participates in continuing education at all levels within the department. • Performs patient assessment and evaluation of care; confers with nurses and physicians to optimize the care of the patient. • Initiates and maintains the appropriate records in the patient chart and on respiratory care records. • Provides guidance to Respiratory Therapy Techs as necessary. • Cleans, repairs, and maintains respiratory therapy equipment; maintains appearance of the department. • Performs selected duties of the Director in his/her absence, eg. distributes staff assignments, grants overtime as necessary, accepts sick and absentee calls from staff, authorizes equipment rental, and activates disaster plan in case of emergency. • Adheres to all hospital standards, policies and procedures. What you will need: • Education: Graduate of an AMA approved school for respiratory therapy granting eligibility to take exams given by the National Board for Respiratory Care or Registered or Certified by the N.B.R.C. Current Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure required. • Certification: Current CPR certification. • Experience: Advanced knowledge of acid-base balance, blood gas analysis and interpretation, and cardiopulmonary physiology. Benefits: • Premium pay for eligible employees • Career Pathways to Promote Professional Growth and Development • Various Medical, Dental, and Vision options • Tuition Reimbursement • Free Parking • Wellness Program Savings Plan • Health Savings Account Options • Retirement Options with Company Match • Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay • Community Involvement Opportunities • Visa Sponsorship Available (Nursing and Lab roles) Endeavor Health is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system committed to providing access to quality, vibrant, community-connected care, serving an area of more than 4.2 million residents across six northeast Illinois counties. Our more than 25,000 team members and more than 6,000 physicians aim to deliver transformative patient experiences and expert care close to home across more than 300 ambulatory locations and eight acute care hospitals – Edward (Naperville), Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenbrook (Glenview), Highland Park, Northwest Community (Arlington Heights) Skokie and Swedish (Chicago) – all recognized as Magnet hospitals for nursing excellence. For more information, visit www.endeavorhealth.org. When you work for Endeavor Health, you will be part of an organization that encourages its employees to achieve career goals and maximize their professional potential. Please explore our website (www.endeavorhealth.org) to better understand how Endeavor Health delivers on its mission to “help everyone in our communities be their best”. Endeavor Health is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please refer to the main career page for more information. Diversity, equity and inclusion is at the core of who we are; being there for our patients and each other with compassion, respect and empathy. We believe that our strength resides in our differences and in connecting our best to provide community-connected healthcare for all. EOE: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets, VEVRRA Federal Contractor.

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