A Respiratory Therapist (RT) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in assessing, treating, and managing patients with cardiopulmonary disorders and breathing difficulties. Respiratory Therapists work under the supervision of physicians to administer respiratory treatments and interventions, monitor patients’ respiratory status, and educate patients and their families about respiratory conditions, self care techniques, and disease management strategies.

Respiratory Therapist Job Description

We are looking for a dedicated and skilled Respiratory Therapist to join our respiratory care team. As an essential member of our healthcare facility, the successful candidate will play a key role in providing specialized respiratory therapy services to patients with acute and chronic respiratory conditions, helping ensure optimal respiratory function and a better quality of life.

You will work with patients of all ages across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, home care, and long term care facilities, and collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver comprehensive respiratory care. The ideal candidate has strong clinical skills, critical thinking ability, and a commitment to high quality patient care.

What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?

• Conduct respiratory assessments and diagnostic tests, including spirometry, arterial blood gas analysis, and pulmonary function testing, to evaluate lung function and oxygenation levels and to diagnose and monitor respiratory conditions
• Analyze assessment findings, medical history, and diagnostic data to develop individualized respiratory care plans and treatment strategies
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to interpret results and build interdisciplinary care plans that integrate respiratory therapy into a patient’s overall treatment
• Administer respiratory treatments such as oxygen therapy, aerosolized medications, chest physiotherapy, and mechanical ventilation according to physicians’ orders and established protocols
• Continuously monitor patients’ respiratory status, vital signs, and response to therapy, adjusting treatment as needed to optimize respiratory function and prevent complications
• Educate patients and families about respiratory conditions, treatment options, medication administration, smoking cessation, and lifestyle changes that support respiratory health
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of assessments, treatment plans, and patient responses in electronic health records, following regulatory and documentation standards
• Report adverse reactions, complications, and changes in respiratory status promptly to the care team to support timely intervention and follow up
• Pursue ongoing professional development and competency assessments to keep clinical skills current and maintain required licensure and certifications

Respiratory Therapist Salary and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Respiratory Therapists earned a median annual wage of $82,280 in 2025. The BLS projects 9 percent employment growth between 2025 and 2035, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 8,600 openings projected each year over the decade.

Respiratory Therapists typically need at least an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy, though some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree. Licensure is required in every state except Alaska, and most employers expect candidates to hold Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credentials at minimum, with many requiring the more advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential before or shortly after hire.

Skill Requirements

• Clinical expertise: Advanced knowledge and competency in assessing, treating, and managing acute and chronic respiratory conditions
• Critical thinking: Strong clinical judgment to interpret diagnostic data and build individualized care plans that fit each patient’s needs
• Communication skills: The ability to work with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams, and to explain treatment clearly
• Empathy and compassion: Sensitivity to patients’ physical and emotional needs while delivering care
• Professionalism and ethics: Adherence to patient confidentiality, informed consent, and other regulatory and ethical standards
• Continuous learning: Ongoing engagement with continuing education to stay current with respiratory therapy research, technology, and best practice

Example KPIs for a Respiratory Therapist

• Patient respiratory status and function: How well interventions improve lung function and oxygenation, based on clinical outcomes and patient reported data
• Treatment adherence and compliance: How effectively the therapist promotes medication adherence, oxygen therapy compliance, and lifestyle changes
• Clinical efficiency: How well the therapist manages caseloads, documentation, and scheduling while maintaining care quality
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: How effectively the therapist coordinates with physicians, nurses, and other team members on patient care
• Professional development: Engagement with continuing education and leadership activities that advance clinical expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What credentials does a Respiratory Therapist candidate need?
At minimum, a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential, along with state licensure, which is required everywhere except Alaska. Many employers also require or prefer the more advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

What degree is required to become a Respiratory Therapist?
Most Respiratory Therapists complete at least an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy, though some employers, particularly in larger hospital systems, prefer a bachelor’s degree.

What settings do Respiratory Therapists typically work in?
Hospitals, outpatient clinics, home care, and long term care facilities are the most common settings, often requiring the ability to work with patients across a wide age range.

How do you evaluate a Respiratory Therapist candidate’s real world skill before hiring?
Structured, role specific assessments that verify licensure and test clinical judgment on realistic respiratory care scenarios give a clearer signal than a resume or certification list alone.

How Can Glider AI Help You With Hiring a Respiratory Therapist?

Glider’s recruitment platform is built on the mission of “competency over credentials.” Use Glider AI Skill Intelligence to streamline the hiring process, identify strong Respiratory Therapist candidates, and deliver a mobile first, candidate friendly experience.

Glider AI’s Unique Features

• Verify Medical Licenses
• Validate Hundreds of Medical, Clinical, and Technical Skills
• Ensure Hiring Compliance
• Conversational Chatbot for Talent Screening
• Powerful candidate analytics
• Streamline Healthcare Hiring with AI and Automation

Go ahead and spotlight your next Respiratory Therapist hire with Glider AI today!

Schedule a Demo or contact us at info@glider.ai