Respiratory Therapist Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A respiratory therapist evaluates and treats patients with breathing problems, from asthma and COPD to ventilator management in the ICU. They run diagnostic tests, administer treatments like nebulizers and oxygen therapy, manage ventilators, and respond to emergencies where airway support is critical.
Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, ICUs, emergency departments, sleep labs and home care, often on rotating shifts since breathing emergencies don't follow a schedule. Licensure (and in most states, the CRT or RRT credential) is required, and strong clinical judgment under pressure matters as much as technical skill.
Respiratory Therapist job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Respiratory Therapist
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring a respiratory therapist to support patients with breathing and airway needs in our [unit, e.g. ICU, ED or general floors]. You'll administer treatments, manage ventilators and ventilator weaning, and respond quickly when a patient's breathing is in trouble.
What you'll do
- Assess patients' respiratory status and recommend a plan of care with the care team.
- Administer treatments such as nebulizer therapy, oxygen therapy and chest physiotherapy.
- Set up, monitor and adjust ventilators for patients who need respiratory support.
- Perform diagnostic tests including arterial blood gases and pulmonary function tests.
- Respond to emergency codes and establish or manage patient airways.
- Educate patients and families on inhalers, home oxygen and breathing exercises.
- Document treatments and patient response accurately in the medical record.
- Collaborate with physicians, nurses and pharmacists on respiratory care plans.
What you'll bring
- Associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program.
- Current state licensure and CRT or RRT credential (NBRC).
- BLS certification, with ACLS and NRP/PALS required in many units.
- Hands-on ventilator management and airway skills.
- Ability to stay calm and act quickly in respiratory emergencies.
- Communicates clearly with patients, families and care staff.
Nice to have
- RRT credential (versus CRT) for broader scope and advancement.
- ICU, ED or NICU experience.
- ACLS, PALS or NRP certification already in hand.
- Experience with [specific ventilator brands or sleep lab equipment].
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Shift differentials, continuing education reimbursement, sign-on bonus for critical-care units]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: a recruiter screen, a clinical interview with the respiratory care manager, a skills check or simulation, and a unit shadow shift.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Respiratory Therapist duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Handles routine treatments and basic ventilator checks under supervision.
- Builds speed and confidence in emergency response situations.
- Learns unit-specific protocols and equipment.
Mid-level
- Manages a full patient caseload independently, including ventilator patients.
- Leads airway management during codes and emergencies.
- Trains new staff on equipment and unit protocols.
Senior
- Takes on complex ICU and multi-system patients others refer to for input.
- Serves as a charge therapist or shift lead for the department.
- Contributes to protocol updates and staff competency training.
Respiratory Therapist career path
- Staff Respiratory Therapist
- Senior Respiratory Therapist
- Charge Therapist
- Respiratory Care Manager
Respiratory therapist requires a dedicated accredited program and licensure, unlike many clinical roles reached by lateral moves. From staff therapist, people move into ICU or NICU specialization, charge and lead roles, management, or sleep medicine and pulmonary function testing specialties.
Similar roles
- Registered Nurse job description
Covers the full scope of patient care rather than specializing in breathing and airway.
- Paramedic job description
Provides emergency care outside the hospital rather than inpatient respiratory treatment.
- Radiologic Technologist job description
Focuses on imaging rather than hands-on respiratory treatment.
- Licensed Practical Nurse job description
Delivers broader basic nursing care under an RN rather than respiratory-specific treatment.
Respiratory Therapist job description FAQ
What does a respiratory therapist do?
Assesses and treats patients with breathing problems: administers oxygen and nebulizer therapy, manages ventilators, runs diagnostic tests like blood gases, and responds to breathing emergencies alongside the care team.
What skills should a respiratory therapist job description require?
Current state licensure and CRT or RRT credential, BLS certification (often ACLS or PALS too), ventilator management skills, and the ability to make quick, sound decisions during emergencies.
Is respiratory therapist a good entry point into healthcare?
It's a focused clinical career path rather than a general entry point: it requires a specific accredited degree and licensure exam, but offers a clear route from staff therapist into ICU specialization or management.