Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Illinois are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in hospital systems, critical care units, neonatal and pediatric facilities, and long-term acute care settings, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. Chicago, Peoria, and Springfield anchor most of the hiring volume, with major employers including Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and OSF HealthCare driving steady recruitment. The most in-demand specialties across Illinois are neonatal respiratory therapy, mechanical ventilation management, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Respiratory Therapist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 152+ 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+ Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Respiratory Therapist JobsRespiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
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 respiratory therapist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by IDFPR required
- Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the NBRC strongly preferred or required
- Associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory care from an accredited program required
- Current BLS certification required, with ACLS preferred for critical care settings
- Experience with mechanical ventilators, ABG interpretation, and airway management expected
- Strong communication skills for collaboration with physicians, nurses, and care teams
Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a respiratory therapist in Illinois?
You must hold an active Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license, issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. To qualify, you need to complete an accredited respiratory care program at the associate or bachelor's level, then pass the NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist exam. Most Illinois hospitals also expect or require the advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. Applications are submitted through the IDFPR licensing portal.
How much do respiratory therapists make in Illinois?
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 respiratory therapists in Illinois?
Employers hiring 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 and academic medical centers generate the most consistent volume of openings, particularly for experienced and credentialed candidates.
Which Illinois cities have the most respiratory therapist jobs?
Chicago, Maywood, and Peoria are the cities with the most respiratory therapist openings in Illinois. Chicago leads because of its dense concentration of large academic medical centers, Level I trauma centers, and specialty hospitals, while Peoria and Springfield support strong hiring through anchor institutions like OSF HealthCare and HSHS Medical Group, which operate regional campuses drawing candidates from across central Illinois.
Are there remote 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 fully on-site. About 0% of respiratory therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those roles are typically limited to telehealth respiratory consultation, clinical education, or care coordination positions rather than direct bedside practice.
How can I get hired as a respiratory therapist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for new-graduate respiratory therapist roles at large Illinois health systems, many of which run structured residency or clinical onboarding programs for candidates fresh out of accredited programs. Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and OSF HealthCare have historically offered new-grad pathways. Candidates coming from roles such as respiratory therapy technician, pulmonary function technician, or patient care technician can make a competitive lateral move. Holding your CRT credential and an active IDFPR license before applying gives you a clear edge over candidates still pending licensure.
Where can I find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, and outpatient settings. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly from the listing.
See All 152+ Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Respiratory Therapist Jobs