Respiratory Therapist - Full-time - Day Shift - $10k Sign on bonus
Company : Select Medical
Location : Chicago, IL, 60607
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 13 January 2026
Overview
Position: Respiratory Therapist (RT)
Location: Chicago, FL
Schedule: Full Time, 12hr shift, Day Shift Compensation: $35.67 - $48.00 per hour (based on experience)
Sign on bonus: $10,000
plus shift differentials for night and/or weekend shifts
Our hospital is a critical illness recovery hospital committed to providing world-class inpatient post-ICU services to chronic, critically ill patients who require extended healing and recovery. We help patients during some of the most vulnerable, painful moments of their lives – and Respiratory Therapists (RT) play a central role in providing compassionate, excellent treatment every step of the way.
We support your career growth and personal well-being:
- Start Strong: Extensive Respiratory Therapist (RT) orientation program to ensure a smooth transition into our setting.
- Advance Your Career: Tuition reimbursement, and continuing education.
- Elevate Your Skills: Clinical ladder program.
- Ease the Burden: Student debt benefit program. Company Paid Parking.
- Recharge & Refresh: Generous PTO for full-time team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Your Health Matters: Comprehensive medical/RX, health, vision, and dental plan offerings for full-time team members
- Invest in Your Future: Company-matching 401(k) retirement plan, as well as life and disability protection for full-time team members
- Your Impact Matters: Join a team of over 44,000 committed to providing exceptional patient care
Responsibilities
Responsibilities
- Evaluating patients and recommending an appropriate treatment plan.
- Providing respiratory care to patients with critical and complex medical and surgical conditions.
- Performing insertion and removal of endotracheal tubes.
- Promoting continuous quality improvement.
- Teaching and counseling patients/families.
Qualifications
Minimum requirements:
- Must possess "Active" CRT or RRT credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) or state equivalent.
- Proof of graduation required: college transcript/diploma (preferred) or high school transcript/diploma or GED.
- Possess a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by start date.
- Current state licensure is required.
- ACLS is required within 6 months of hire. (Agency RT must have ACLS upon first shift, PRN staff must have ACLS upon hire).
Preferred qualifications:
- One (1) year of related experience is preferred.
Additional Data
Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans
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Frequently asked questions
Select Medical offers a competitive $10,000 sign-on bonus for full-time day-shift Respiratory Therapists, which stands out in Chicago's healthcare market. This incentive helps attract top talent amid increasing demand for respiratory care professionals in the city, often surpassing bonuses offered by other regional hospitals.
In Chicago, while the national CRT or RRT credential is essential, employers often value current state licensure and timely ACLS certification to meet local healthcare regulations. Some facilities emphasize familiarity with post-ICU respiratory care protocols due to the city's high volume of critical illness cases.
Day-to-day duties include assessing patient respiratory needs, managing ventilator settings, inserting and removing endotracheal tubes, and educating families. This role demands compassionate care for critically ill patients recovering post-ICU, emphasizing teamwork and continuous quality improvement.
Career advancement is supported through clinical ladder programs and continuing education reimbursement. In Chicago, Respiratory Therapists can grow by gaining specialized certifications and expanding clinical skills, often moving into supervisory or specialized respiratory care roles within hospital systems.
Respiratory Therapists in Chicago typically earn between $35.67 and $48.00 per hour, depending on experience. Select Medical's day-shift role aligns with this range, enhanced by a $10,000 sign-on bonus and additional shift differentials for nights or weekends.
Select Medical focuses on critical illness recovery with a comprehensive orientation and career development programs. Their commitment to post-ICU patient care and benefits like student debt assistance and generous PTO create a unique environment compared to typical Chicago hospitals.
Yes, Select Medical offers full-time Respiratory Therapists benefits such as tuition reimbursement to encourage further education, along with perks like company-paid parking, which helps reduce daily expenses, enhancing overall job satisfaction in the competitive Chicago market.
Given the critical need for respiratory care professionals in Chicago, especially post-pandemic, roles like Select Medical’s full-time Respiratory Therapist often fill rapidly. The $10K sign-on bonus and comprehensive benefits contribute to swift hiring cycles.
Shift differentials impact pay, with night or weekend shifts often offering higher hourly rates. Experience level, certifications, and specific hospital policies in Chicago also contribute to wage variations among Respiratory Therapists.
Part-time Respiratory Therapist positions exist but are less common in specialized post-ICU settings like Select Medical. Full-time roles typically offer better benefits, higher pay, and career advancement opportunities, making them more attractive for long-term respiratory care professionals.