J-1 Visa Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs

Registered Respiratory Therapist roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Specialist program categories. A designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019, while the U.S. hospital or health system serves as your host employer. No lottery or annual cap applies.

Find J-1 Visa Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs12+
Work Type83% On-site
Top LocationBaltimore, MD
Most JobsLifebridge Health

Showing 5 of 12+ Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs

Mount Sinai Medical Center
Registered Nurse Intern Acute Care
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Mount Sinai Medical Center
Added 1w ago
Registered Nurse Intern Acute Care
Mount Sinai Medical Center
Miami, Florida
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
None
1,001-5,000

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The University of Michigan
REGISTERED NURSE - CRNA Internship
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The University of Michigan
Added 2w ago
REGISTERED NURSE - CRNA Internship
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$41 - $64/hr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Embrace Pathways For Wellness
Outpatient Registered Intern License - FL
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Embrace Pathways For Wellness
Added 1mo ago
Outpatient Registered Intern License - FL
Embrace Pathways For Wellness
Orlando, Florida
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$30/yr
On-Site
Master's

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Bronson Battle Creek Hospital
Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) Internship - Bronson Methodist
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Bronson Battle Creek Hospital
Added 2mo ago
Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) Internship - Bronson Methodist
Bronson Battle Creek Hospital
Battle Creek, Michigan
On-Site
High School

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Red Cell Partners
Registered Nurse
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Red Cell Partners
Added 2mo ago
Registered Nurse
Red Cell Partners
Pocatello, Idaho
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$78k - $83k
Hybrid
None

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Tips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Registered Respiratory Therapist

Verify your credentials meet U.S. licensure standards

Before applying, confirm your respiratory therapy credentials are recognized in your target state. Many states require NBRC certification or an equivalent evaluation. Research each state's licensing board requirements early, as credential gaps can delay your host employer's training plan approval.

Identify host employers with active J-1 training programs

Search for hospitals and health systems that have previously hosted J-1 visa Trainees or Specialists in clinical respiratory roles. Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. employers and open Registered Respiratory Therapist positions that align with J-1 visa sponsorship pathways.

Match your program category to your career stage

If you completed your respiratory therapy degree within the past 12 months, the J-1 Intern category applies. Professionals with a degree and at least one year of post-graduation experience qualify for the Trainee category, which covers structured clinical training placements.

Build a training plan that satisfies DOL and sponsor review

Your designated sponsor requires a detailed Training or Internship Placement Plan before issuing your DS-2019. Work with your host employer to document specific clinical rotations, competency milestones, and supervision arrangements for respiratory therapy procedures you will perform.

Confirm whether your role triggers the two-year home residency requirement

Government-funded training programs and certain specialties can activate the two-year home-country residency requirement under INA Section 212(e). Ask your designated sponsor to assess whether your specific Respiratory Therapist training placement falls under a skills-shortage designation for your home country.

Clarify wage compliance obligations with your host employer

Your host employer must pay J-1 Trainees wages consistent with similarly situated U.S. workers in the same role. Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the prevailing wage for Registered Respiratory Therapist positions in your target metro area before finalizing your offer.

Registered Respiratory Therapist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

Which J-1 program category fits a Registered Respiratory Therapist?

Most internationally trained respiratory therapists enter under the J-1 Trainee category, which requires a degree in respiratory therapy or a related health science plus at least one year of post-graduation work experience. Recent graduates still enrolled in or within 12 months of completing a degree program may qualify under the Intern category instead. The Specialist category applies to senior professionals with deep expertise in a narrow respiratory subspecialty.

Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a respiratory therapy role?

The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the hospital or clinic where you will work. The designated sponsor, such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or a university exchange program, issues your DS-2019 form and monitors your placement for compliance. Your host employer is the health system providing the training. These are two separate entities with different responsibilities.

How do I find U.S. hospitals open to hosting J-1 respiratory therapists?

Start by searching for roles explicitly structured as clinical training or exchange positions, since not every respiratory therapist opening is set up to accommodate a J-1 host arrangement. Migrate Mate lets you search U.S. employers and Registered Respiratory Therapist positions filtered by J-1 sponsorship compatibility, which narrows your list to employers already familiar with the host-organization requirements and DS-2019 process.

Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to respiratory therapists on J-1?

It depends on your home country and how your training is funded. If your country lists respiratory therapy or a related health occupation on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, or if your training receives U.S. government funding, the two-year requirement under INA Section 212(e) is triggered. Your designated sponsor is required to disclose this before issuing your DS-2019, so confirm your status early to avoid complications when you later apply for an H-1B visa or another visa.

Can a J-1 Trainee respiratory therapist perform direct patient care in the United States?

Yes, but only within the scope of your approved Training Plan and your state license. Your designated sponsor and host employer must document the specific procedures and supervision arrangements in your plan before you arrive. States vary on whether they issue licenses to internationally trained respiratory therapists, so confirm licensure eligibility with the relevant state respiratory care board and factor the timeline into your start date negotiations with the host employer.