Respiratory Therapist - Full-time - Night 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, Night 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
Chicago's healthcare sector shows growing demand for respiratory therapists due to its dense population and high number of critical care facilities. Competition can be stiff, especially for night shifts, but facilities offering sign-on bonuses like Select Medical help attract top talent rapidly.
Illinois hospitals, including those in Chicago, typically require active CRT or RRT credentials from the NBRC, alongside state licensure. ACLS certification is often mandatory shortly after hire, reflecting the critical care nature of respiratory therapy roles in this region.
Thriving on night shifts demands strong clinical judgment to handle emergencies during off-hours, excellent patient communication for vulnerable cases, and stamina for 12-hour rotations. Mastery in ventilator management and endotracheal tube procedures is essential for effective overnight patient care.
Full-time respiratory therapists can leverage tuition reimbursement and clinical ladder programs to enhance expertise and move into specialized or leadership positions. Select Medical’s focus on continuing education supports professional growth, which is vital for those aiming to expand their scope in respiratory care.
Select Medical invests in respiratory therapists by offering extensive orientation, student debt assistance, company-paid parking, and comprehensive health benefits. Such perks enrich job satisfaction and work-life balance, especially important for demanding night shift schedules.
Select Medical emphasizes post-ICU critical illness recovery, requiring therapists to deliver compassionate care for chronic patients. Their structured clinical ladder and education programs, alongside a notable $10K sign-on bonus, set it apart in Chicago’s competitive respiratory therapy landscape.
Respiratory therapists in Chicago earn approximately $35.67 to $48.00 per hour depending on experience, with additional shift differentials for nights or weekends. This aligns with Select Medical’s competitive pay scale plus a generous $10,000 sign-on bonus that boosts overall compensation.
While part-time respiratory therapist jobs exist around Chicago, full-time roles like those at Select Medical offer more comprehensive benefits, career development programs, and higher pay. Part-time positions may lack these advantages but can suit those balancing other commitments.
Night shift respiratory therapists encounter fluctuating patient acuity, requiring rapid adjustment of ventilation settings and airway management. They must also provide patient and family counseling during vulnerable periods, maintain quality improvement practices, and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams.