Respiratory Therapist

Territory

Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs

Work Location

Multiple locations, including patient homes and healthcare/company facilities.

Medical Specialties

• Home Respiratory Care

• Sleep Medicine

• Pulmonology

Position Summary

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing patient education, respiratory equipment setup, clinical follow-up, and ongoing support to patients receiving home respiratory therapy.

The Respiratory Therapist works closely with patients, caregivers, physicians, referral sources, and internal team members to ensure respiratory equipment is provided safely, accurately, and in accordance with physician orders, organizational policies, payer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.

This position requires strong clinical judgment, excellent communication, accurate documentation, and the ability to provide a high-quality patient experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients' clinical and equipment needs based on physician orders and supporting medical documentation.

• Set up and educate patients on prescribed respiratory equipment, including:

  • CPAP and APAP devices

  • BiPAP devices

  • Non-invasive ventilators

  • Oxygen equipment

  • Cough-assist devices

  • Airway-clearance vest systems

• Properly fit patients with masks and interfaces to promote comfort, effectiveness, and therapy adherence.

• Demonstrate proper assembly, operation, cleaning, maintenance, and safe use of respiratory equipment.

• Educate patients and caregivers regarding prescribed therapy, equipment use, troubleshooting, and applicable compliance requirements.

• Reinforce education regarding prescribed treatment and documented sleep-study findings within the Respiratory Therapist's professional scope of practice.

• Explain payer compliance requirements, ongoing medical-necessity requirements, deductibles, copayments, and other patient financial responsibilities when appropriate.

• Monitor PAP and ventilator usage through applicable remote-monitoring platforms.

• Follow up with patients regarding adherence, comfort, mask fit, and therapy concerns.

• Identify clinical or equipment-related concerns and communicate promptly with treating physicians or other appropriate healthcare professionals.

• Communicate professionally and compassionately with patients, family members, caregivers, physicians, referral sources, and internal staff.

• Complete detailed and accurate documentation of patient interactions, education, equipment setups, follow-ups, and clinical observations.

• Maintain accurate patient equipment records and document changes, replacements, or updates.

• Review patient accounts before providing services to confirm that required prescriptions, medical records, authorizations, and supporting documentation are available.

• Complete respiratory assessments and required supporting documentation accurately and within established deadlines.

• Manage assigned tasks, voicemails, emails, and patient follow-ups.

• Track and coordinate preventive maintenance, equipment inspections, and required home visits.

• Participate in an assigned on-call rotation.

• Follow organizational policies, infection-control procedures, HIPAA requirements, safety standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

• Perform other respiratory-care duties within the employee's scope of practice as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care Program.

• Current and unrestricted state Respiratory Care Practitioner license.

• Current CRT or RRT credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care.

• Ability to maintain all required licenses, credentials, and continuing-education requirements.

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

• Ability to travel throughout the assigned service territory.

• Strong verbal communication and active-listening skills.

• Strong patient-education and customer-service skills.

• Excellent organization, time management, attention to detail, and follow-through.

• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Professional appearance and dependable attendance.

• Respectful and cooperative attitude.

• Ability to maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

• Current BLS certification.

• At least one year of respiratory therapy experience.

• Previous home respiratory care or durable medical equipment experience.

• Experience setting up and monitoring ResMed and Philips Respironics devices.

• Experience with:

  • CPAP

  • BiPAP

  • Non-invasive ventilation

  • Oxygen therapy

  • Cough-assist devices

  • Airway-clearance systems

• Working knowledge of DME and remote-monitoring platforms.

• Familiarity with HCPCS codes, diagnosis codes, insurance coverage requirements, prior authorizations, and payer fee schedules.

Physical and Travel Requirements

• Ability to safely lift, carry, and transport respiratory equipment and supplies.

• Ability to travel between healthcare facilities, company locations, and patient residences.

• Ability to perform equipment setups in a variety of home and clinical environments.

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move equipment as required to perform essential job responsibilities.

Schedule

• Schedule may include office-based appointments, home visits, and participation in an assigned on-call rotation.

• Hours and territory coverage will be discussed during the interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The employer is committed to equal employment opportunity and makes employment decisions without regard to legally protected characteristics.