
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
The Respiratory Care Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
"Basic respiratory care activities" means and includes all of the following activities:
(1) Cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment used in the practice of respiratory care as delegated by a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel.
(2) Assembling equipment used in the practice of respiratory care as delegated by a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel.
(3) Collecting and reviewing patient data through non-invasive means, provided that the collection and review does not include the individual's interpretation of the clinical significance of the data. Collecting and reviewing patient data includes the performance of pulse oximetry, incentive spirometry and non-invasive monitoring procedures in order to obtain vital signs and notification to licensed health care professionals and other authorized licensed personnel in a timely manner.
(4) Maintaining a nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen therapy in the proper position on the patient's face.
(5) Assembling a nasal cannula or face mask for oxygen therapy at patient bedside in preparation for use.
(6) Maintaining a patient's natural airway by physically manipulating the jaw and neck, suctioning the oral cavity, or suctioning the mouth or nose with a bulb syringe.
(7) Performing assisted ventilation during emergency resuscitation using a manual resuscitator.
(8) Using a manual resuscitator at the direction of a licensed health care professional or other authorized licensed personnel who is present and performing routine airway suctioning. These activities do not include care of a patient's artificial airway or the adjustment of mechanical ventilator settings while a patient is connected to the ventilator.
Required
Preferred
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

Northwestern Medicine is the collaboration between Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine around a strategic vision to transform the future of health care. It encompasses the research, teaching, and patient care activities of the academic medical center. Sharing a commitment to superior quality, academic excellence and patient safety, the organizations within Northwestern Medicine comprise a combined workforce of more than 33,000 among clinical and administrative staff, medical and science faculty and medical students. Northwestern Medicine is comprised of more than 200 locations throughout the region, with five Northwestern Medicine hospitals ranked among “America's Best” by U.S. News & World Report, 2025 – 2026, our legacy of better medicine continues. What makes us better, makes you better.®