Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with demand concentrated in hospital systems, critical care units, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs at every level from new graduate through senior clinician. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford are the state's primary hiring centers, with major health systems like Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health, and OSF HealthCare among the most established employers. Neonatal respiratory care, sleep disorder programs, and mechanical ventilation management are the specialties drawing the most sustained interest from Illinois hiring teams. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 152+ Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs
Responsible for coordinating, directing and maintaining quality in the activities of subordinates engaged in performing respiratory care modalities in the Critical Care areas. Provides pertinent consultation to physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other hospital members regarding appropriateness of respiratory care modalities. Promotes departmental support for the strategic plan and mission of Carle Hospital and its entities. Maintains an environment conducive to the integration of services with the departments throughout the system in a manner that supports the continuum of care. The CC coordinator coordinates the planning, development and implementation of critical care education for the Respiratory Care Department. Will provide bedside education to the RT staff ensuring competency through both skill validation and frequent monitoring of staff. Will serve and have an active role as the critical care education and quality resource for all RT practices and as the orientation resource for employees. Perform routine audits and education sessions to ensure education needs are being addressed for staff. Additionally, will maintain blood gas lab per regulatory standards.
****The schedule for this position is 4, 10 hr shifts a week with one day off during the week, with some flexible options-Cannot be Monday or Friday. Rounding with staff requires coming in earlier around 5:30am or 6:00am or can be an evening shift during the week.
Allocates staff resources to effectively assure that patients are taken care of appropriately.
Assists in orientation and training of personnel.
Functions as a role model Respiratory Therapist demonstrating competence in clinical judgement, select technical skills and appropriate knowledge base. Provides clinical direction to staff, evaluates the level of care provided. Ensures appropriate orientation and education to staff.
Reviews work/charting completed by staff members to aid in their improvement and understanding of care. Provides clinical support and assistance to the Respiratory Care Staff.
Collect data on the patient outcomes in coordination with manager
Be available for consultation to additional special interest committee.
Participate with educational opportunities for Residents, Nursing, medical staff and surrounding Carle sites with RT educational opportunities.
Coordinate student schedules, orientations and check-ins with student preceptors and students themselves.
Develop and coordinate orientation for various groups, such as Respiratory Therapists, Respiratory Therapy Techs and Travel Respiratory Therapist.
Utilize information technology to ensure departmental policies/procedures and standards are evidence-based practices and current with the latest research.
Review overall compliance by staff with regulatory agencies related to patient safety including DNV, OSHA, CMS and IDPH.
Plan and coordinate unit/floor educational presentations. Provide opportunities for less experience staff to grow and develop their unit specific skills. Develop and coordinate advanced educational opportunities.
Participate with chart audits, monthly performance improvement audits, quality measure and UPC.
Serve as resource to help schedule regulatory surveys.
Maintain blood gas lab per CAP and regulatory standards.
Serves as a resource for respiratory care product information.
Serve as a resource for professional growth with Respiratory Therapists interested in the clinical ladder.
Qualifications:
Education Level
Field of Study
Associate's Degree
Respiratory Therapy
And
Bachelor's Degree
Education Note:
Bachelor's within three (3) years of start date in position
Licenses/Certifications
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
And
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
And
Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA)
And
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 1 year - American Heart Association (AHA)
And
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 1 year - American Heart Association (AHA)
And
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) within 1 year - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
And
Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS) within 2 years - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
Experience Requirement
Work Experience
Length of Experience
Charge
2+ years
And
Critical care
1+ years
And
Clinical
3+ years
Find it here.
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We’ve grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We’re developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: human.resources@carle.com.
Responsible for coordinating, directing and maintaining quality in the activities of subordinates engaged in performing respiratory care modalities in the Critical Care areas. Provides pertinent consultation to physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other hospital members regarding appropriateness of respiratory care modalities. Promotes departmental support for the strategic plan and mission of Carle Hospital and its entities. Maintains an environment conducive to the integration of services with the departments throughout the system in a manner that supports the continuum of care. The CC coordinator coordinates the planning, development and implementation of critical care education for the Respiratory Care Department. Will provide bedside education to the RT staff ensuring competency through both skill validation and frequent monitoring of staff. Will serve and have an active role as the critical care education and quality resource for all RT practices and as the orientation resource for employees. Perform routine audits and education sessions to ensure education needs are being addressed for staff. Additionally, will maintain blood gas lab per regulatory standards.
****The schedule for this position is 4, 10 hr shifts a week with one day off during the week, with some flexible options-Cannot be Monday or Friday. Rounding with staff requires coming in earlier around 5:30am or 6:00am or can be an evening shift during the week.
Allocates staff resources to effectively assure that patients are taken care of appropriately.
Assists in orientation and training of personnel.
Functions as a role model Respiratory Therapist demonstrating competence in clinical judgement, select technical skills and appropriate knowledge base. Provides clinical direction to staff, evaluates the level of care provided. Ensures appropriate orientation and education to staff.
Reviews work/charting completed by staff members to aid in their improvement and understanding of care. Provides clinical support and assistance to the Respiratory Care Staff.
Collect data on the patient outcomes in coordination with manager
Be available for consultation to additional special interest committee.
Participate with educational opportunities for Residents, Nursing, medical staff and surrounding Carle sites with RT educational opportunities.
Coordinate student schedules, orientations and check-ins with student preceptors and students themselves.
Develop and coordinate orientation for various groups, such as Respiratory Therapists, Respiratory Therapy Techs and Travel Respiratory Therapist.
Utilize information technology to ensure departmental policies/procedures and standards are evidence-based practices and current with the latest research.
Review overall compliance by staff with regulatory agencies related to patient safety including DNV, OSHA, CMS and IDPH.
Plan and coordinate unit/floor educational presentations. Provide opportunities for less experience staff to grow and develop their unit specific skills. Develop and coordinate advanced educational opportunities.
Participate with chart audits, monthly performance improvement audits, quality measure and UPC.
Serve as resource to help schedule regulatory surveys.
Maintain blood gas lab per CAP and regulatory standards.
Serves as a resource for respiratory care product information.
Serve as a resource for professional growth with Respiratory Therapists interested in the clinical ladder.
Qualifications:
Education Level
Field of Study
Associate's Degree
Respiratory Therapy
And
Bachelor's Degree
Education Note:
Bachelor's within three (3) years of start date in position
Licenses/Certifications
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
And
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
And
Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA)
And
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 1 year - American Heart Association (AHA)
And
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 1 year - American Heart Association (AHA)
And
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) within 1 year - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
And
Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS) within 2 years - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
Experience Requirement
Work Experience
Length of Experience
Charge
2+ years
And
Critical care
1+ years
And
Clinical
3+ years
Find it here.
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We’ve grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We’re developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: human.resources@carle.com.
See All 152+ Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsRegistered Respiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Registered Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Advocate Aurora Health16
- OSF HealthCare11
- Elevate Care9
- Endeavor Health9
- Loyola Medicine8
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Transportation & Logistics
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in registered respiratory therapist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from a CAAHEP-accredited program
- Current BLS certification with ACLS preferred for critical care and acute settings
- Clinical experience with mechanical ventilators, arterial blood gas interpretation, and airway management
- Strong documentation skills with experience in electronic health record systems used in Illinois hospitals
Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a registered respiratory therapist in Illinois?
To become a registered respiratory therapist in Illinois, you must complete an accredited respiratory therapy program, pass the Registered Respiratory Therapist exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, and then obtain a Respiratory Care Practitioner license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Illinois requires this state license before you can practice legally. Most hospital employers in Illinois also require current BLS certification before your start date.
How much do registered respiratory therapists make in Illinois?
Registered respiratory therapists in Illinois earn a median of about $84,090 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,480 for the lowest 10% to over $100,100 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire registered respiratory therapists in Illinois?
Employers hiring registered respiratory therapists in Illinois right now include Advocate Aurora Health, OSF HealthCare, and Elevate Care, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems tend to hire across multiple campuses, so a single employer may have openings in several metro areas simultaneously.
Which Illinois cities have the most registered respiratory therapist jobs?
Chicago, Maywood, and Peoria have the most registered respiratory therapist openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates the count due to the concentration of academic medical centers, Level I trauma facilities, and specialty hospitals on the North Shore and in the suburbs, while Peoria and Rockford reflect the large regional health systems, particularly OSF HealthCare and Mercyhealth, that anchor those markets.
Are there remote registered respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role requiring direct patient contact, so the vast majority of positions are on-site. About 0% of registered respiratory therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those are almost exclusively in areas like pulmonary education, telehealth triage support, or clinical documentation review rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a registered respiratory therapist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate respiratory therapy positions at large Illinois health systems that run structured residency or clinical orientation programs, such as those offered through Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health, and UChicago Medicine. These programs provide supervised rotations across general floor, ICU, and emergency settings. Candidates who complete their Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license promptly after graduation and hold current BLS certification are prioritized. Lateral entry from respiratory therapy tech or pulmonary function tech roles at Illinois hospitals also provides a common bridge into registered therapist positions.
Where can I find and apply to registered respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to registered respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience and credentials and apply directly to the employer without any intermediary steps.
See All 152+ Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs