Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee
Certified Respiratory Therapist jobs in Tennessee are consistently active, with strong demand across hospital systems, pulmonary rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies serving an aging population with high rates of COPD and asthma. The largest concentrations of openings are in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, where established employers such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Baptist Memorial Health Care, and Tennova Healthcare maintain ongoing hiring needs at every level from new graduate to senior lead therapist. The most in-demand specialties in the state include neonatal and pediatric care, adult critical care, and sleep medicine. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 7+ Certified Respiratory Therapist jobs
Overview
Job Summary
Provides respiratory care using critical thinking skills learned and refined through education and experience as a Respiratory Therapist. A Certified Respiratory Therapist demonstrates these skills by successfully completing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and earning the credential CRT. Provides a caring relationship that facilitates health and healing. Performs other job duties as assigned.Responsibilities
- Assesses the patient,
- Implements the plan of care.
- Evaluates the plan of care.
- Administers medications as prescribed.
- Provides patient, family, and/or significant other health teaching/education.
- Participates in activities designed to improve health care delivery.
- Communicates/collaborates with others in providing patient care.
- Provides clinical leadership
- Supports life long learning
- Completes assigned goals
Specifications
Experience
Minimum Required
- Current state license.
- Recent clinical respiratory care experience (hospital, home care, skilled nursing facility) and/or previous respiratory care practice.
Preferred/Desired
- 1 year hospital experience.
Education
Minimum Required
- Current state license.
- State licensure and/or "CRT" credential in accordance with the National Board of Respiratory Care.
Preferred/Desired
Training
Minimum Required
- Successful completion of Hospital and Departmental orientation.
Preferred/Desired
Special Skills
Minimum Required
- Basic computer knowledge using Windows Operating system and Microsoft Office.
Preferred/Desired
Licensure
Minimum Required
- BLS CERTIFICATION WITHIN 14 DAYS OF HIRE;CRT
- Successful completion of entry level exam for RCPs. ABG endorsed, if applicable.
Preferred/Desired
- ACLS
Overview
Job Summary
Provides respiratory care using critical thinking skills learned and refined through education and experience as a Respiratory Therapist. A Certified Respiratory Therapist demonstrates these skills by successfully completing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and earning the credential CRT. Provides a caring relationship that facilitates health and healing. Performs other job duties as assigned.Responsibilities
- Assesses the patient,
- Implements the plan of care.
- Evaluates the plan of care.
- Administers medications as prescribed.
- Provides patient, family, and/or significant other health teaching/education.
- Participates in activities designed to improve health care delivery.
- Communicates/collaborates with others in providing patient care.
- Provides clinical leadership
- Supports life long learning
- Completes assigned goals
Specifications
Experience
Minimum Required
- Current state license.
- Recent clinical respiratory care experience (hospital, home care, skilled nursing facility) and/or previous respiratory care practice.
Preferred/Desired
- 1 year hospital experience.
Education
Minimum Required
- Current state license.
- State licensure and/or "CRT" credential in accordance with the National Board of Respiratory Care.
Preferred/Desired
Training
Minimum Required
- Successful completion of Hospital and Departmental orientation.
Preferred/Desired
Special Skills
Minimum Required
- Basic computer knowledge using Windows Operating system and Microsoft Office.
Preferred/Desired
Licensure
Minimum Required
- BLS CERTIFICATION WITHIN 14 DAYS OF HIRE;CRT
- Successful completion of entry level exam for RCPs. ABG endorsed, if applicable.
Preferred/Desired
- ACLS
See All 7 Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee
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Find JobsCertified Respiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Certified Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in certified respiratory therapist jobs across Tennessee.
- Active Tennessee respiratory care license issued by the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care
- Certified Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program
- Demonstrated experience with mechanical ventilation and critical care patient management
- Current Basic Life Support certification required before first day of patient contact
- Strong working knowledge of pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gas interpretation
Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a certified respiratory therapist in Tennessee?
To work as a certified respiratory therapist in Tennessee, you must hold an active license issued by the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care. Candidates complete an accredited respiratory therapy program, earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care by passing the TMC exam, and then apply for state licensure. Tennessee does not recognize reciprocity automatically, so out-of-state therapists must apply directly to the board for a Tennessee license before practicing.
How much do certified respiratory therapists make in Tennessee?
Certified respiratory therapists in Tennessee earn a median of about $72,140 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $57,860 for the lowest 10% to over $88,060 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire certified respiratory therapists in Tennessee?
Employers hiring certified respiratory therapists in Tennessee right now include Ascension, Vanderbilt Health, and West Tennessee Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's large integrated health systems drive the bulk of postings, with consistent openings across inpatient, outpatient, and home health settings throughout the state.
Which Tennessee cities have the most certified respiratory therapist jobs?
Nashville, Jackson, and Memphis lead Tennessee for certified respiratory therapist openings. Nashville's concentration of academic medical centers and large regional hospital systems accounts for the highest volume, while Memphis anchors demand in the western part of the state through its major health campuses, and Knoxville draws openings from the University of Tennessee Medical Center and surrounding community hospitals serving East Tennessee's rural patient population.
How can I get hired as a certified respiratory therapist in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate or trainee roles posted by large Tennessee health systems such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare's Tennessee facilities, or Ballad Health, all of which periodically run structured orientation programs for newly credentialed therapists. Candidates who hold an active Tennessee license and a CRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care have a clear edge. Lateral moves from certified nursing assistant or patient care technician roles within the same hospital can also open doors to respiratory therapy apprentice or tech positions while you complete licensing requirements.
Where can I find and apply to certified respiratory therapist jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to certified respiratory therapist jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find the roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 7 Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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