Lead Respiratory Therapist Jobs
Lead Respiratory Therapist jobs are open across hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, and health systems, covering specializations in mechanical ventilation management, neonatal and pediatric care, and pulmonary rehabilitation, at every level from staff RT to department director. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 4,592+ Lead Respiratory Therapist jobs
Overview:
Provide respiratory care services that are covered under the employee's limited license to practice respiratory care.
Responsibilities:
- Stores, assembles, disassembles, and maintains respiratory equipment.
- Transports gas cylinders safely.
- Sets up oxygen cylinders and assures proper usage and safety measures are in place.
- Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.
- Familiar with oxygen delivery systems (i.e., nasal cannula, venturi mask).
- Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, pulse oximeter, Wright respirometer, and oxygen blenders.
- Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medication, knowing indications and contraindications.
- Knows and follows the indications, contraindications, policies, and procedures for administering therapeutic modalities to include IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, and MDI.
- Administers hand-held nebulizer treatments.
- Instructs patients in the use of incentive spirometers and metered dose inhalers.
- Performs sputum inductions.
- Performs naso-tracheal suctioning.
- Familiar with CPAP and BiPAP set-up; performs subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP.
- Responsible for the set-up, safety check, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a respiratory therapist.
- Applies and maintains ventilators, with direct observation by preceptor until competency is validated, then independently.
- Provides manual ventilation during CPR and patient transport.
- Performs blood gas analysis.
- Performs daily/weekly preventive maintenance, calibration, and quality controls of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.
- Performs arterial punctures and hemodynamic line draws.
- Performs bedside PFT tests. May be requested to perform tests in the PFT lab following adequate training and/or orientation.
- Serves as a member of the “code team” responding to arrest situations. May be expected to perform CPR (compressions). Must be certified in CPR annually.
- Maintains accurate and legible records, documenting clinical notes in patients’ charts.
- Participates in reporting patient progress and prioritizing patient condition to the next shift.
- Ensures proper documentation in department records.
- Participates in staff meetings and attends lectures, conferences, and seminars.
- Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.
- Follows the hospital exposure control plans for bloodborne and airborne pathogens.
- Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
- Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team, inter- and intradepartmentally, to facilitate the department’s/unit’s ability to meet its goals and objectives.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education *(experience can be substituted for education)**
High School Diploma or GED required
Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Care required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Working knowledge of problem solving and decision making skills.
- Working knowledge of digital literacy skills.
- Outpatient services:
- Pulmonary Function test (PFT)
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
- Stress test
- Home sleep study
- IN-Lab sleep study
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Holter monitor
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Six minute walk test
- Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab:
- Phase I-Initial assessment
- Phase II-individualized plan including monitored exercises
- Phase III-self-controlled long term maintenance
Licenses and Certifications
- Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care, National Board of Respiratory Care Required
- BLS Required
- ACLS (cardiac and rehab staff) Required
Overview:
Provide respiratory care services that are covered under the employee's limited license to practice respiratory care.
Responsibilities:
- Stores, assembles, disassembles, and maintains respiratory equipment.
- Transports gas cylinders safely.
- Sets up oxygen cylinders and assures proper usage and safety measures are in place.
- Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.
- Familiar with oxygen delivery systems (i.e., nasal cannula, venturi mask).
- Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, pulse oximeter, Wright respirometer, and oxygen blenders.
- Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medication, knowing indications and contraindications.
- Knows and follows the indications, contraindications, policies, and procedures for administering therapeutic modalities to include IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, and MDI.
- Administers hand-held nebulizer treatments.
- Instructs patients in the use of incentive spirometers and metered dose inhalers.
- Performs sputum inductions.
- Performs naso-tracheal suctioning.
- Familiar with CPAP and BiPAP set-up; performs subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP.
- Responsible for the set-up, safety check, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a respiratory therapist.
- Applies and maintains ventilators, with direct observation by preceptor until competency is validated, then independently.
- Provides manual ventilation during CPR and patient transport.
- Performs blood gas analysis.
- Performs daily/weekly preventive maintenance, calibration, and quality controls of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.
- Performs arterial punctures and hemodynamic line draws.
- Performs bedside PFT tests. May be requested to perform tests in the PFT lab following adequate training and/or orientation.
- Serves as a member of the “code team” responding to arrest situations. May be expected to perform CPR (compressions). Must be certified in CPR annually.
- Maintains accurate and legible records, documenting clinical notes in patients’ charts.
- Participates in reporting patient progress and prioritizing patient condition to the next shift.
- Ensures proper documentation in department records.
- Participates in staff meetings and attends lectures, conferences, and seminars.
- Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.
- Follows the hospital exposure control plans for bloodborne and airborne pathogens.
- Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
- Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team, inter- and intradepartmentally, to facilitate the department’s/unit’s ability to meet its goals and objectives.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education *(experience can be substituted for education)**
High School Diploma or GED required
Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Care required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Working knowledge of problem solving and decision making skills.
- Working knowledge of digital literacy skills.
- Outpatient services:
- Pulmonary Function test (PFT)
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
- Stress test
- Home sleep study
- IN-Lab sleep study
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Holter monitor
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Six minute walk test
- Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab:
- Phase I-Initial assessment
- Phase II-individualized plan including monitored exercises
- Phase III-self-controlled long term maintenance
Licenses and Certifications
- Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care, National Board of Respiratory Care Required
- BLS Required
- ACLS (cardiac and rehab staff) Required
Lead Respiratory Therapist Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsLead Respiratory Therapist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- American Traveler216
- Lincare101
- Advocate Aurora Health78
- Ascension64
- CommonSpirit Health64
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services1,001
- Education32
- Science & Research18
- Consulting & Professional Services14
- Technology & Software9
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead respiratory therapist jobs.
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the NBRC
- Active state respiratory care license in the state of employment
- Minimum of three to five years of clinical respiratory therapy experience
- Experience with mechanical ventilation management across adult, pediatric, or neonatal populations
- Demonstrated supervisory or charge experience leading a team of respiratory therapists
- Advanced credential such as ACCS, NPS, or RPFT preferred for subspecialty lead roles
Tips for Your Lead Respiratory Therapist Job Search
Highlight your clinical leadership credentials
Lead RT roles expect supervisory scope, so your resume needs to show how many therapists you've overseen, which protocols you've developed, and whether you've held charge or lead responsibilities on night or weekend shifts. Titles alone don't tell that story.
List every credential on your resume
RRT is the floor. Hiring managers for lead roles look specifically for ACCS, NPS, CPFT, or RPFT credentials because they signal subspecialty depth. Place certifications in a dedicated section near the top, not buried in a dense paragraph at the bottom.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead respiratory therapist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your ventilator experience
Job descriptions often specify platforms like Hamilton, Dräger, or Puritan Bennett. If you've logged hours on those devices, name them in your resume using the same terminology the posting uses so your application clears automated screening.
Prepare for a clinical scenario interview round
Lead RT interviews frequently include a scenario component where you're asked how you'd handle a deteriorating patient, a protocol dispute, or a staffing shortage mid-shift. Walk through your clinical reasoning out loud rather than jumping straight to the action.
Negotiate schedule structure, not just base pay
Lead positions often come with on-call obligations or rotating supervisory coverage that isn't always clear in the posting. Ask explicitly about call frequency, weekend rotation, and whether lead pay includes shift differentials before you accept an offer.
Lead Respiratory Therapist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead respiratory therapists?
The most active employers for lead respiratory therapists right now are American Traveler, Lincare, and Advocate Aurora Health, and the most openings are in Florida, Texas, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Health systems and long-term acute care networks tend to post the highest volume of lead-level openings.
How many lead respiratory therapist jobs are remote?
About 5% of lead respiratory therapist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most clinical RT work. The sub-areas with the most remote flexibility tend to be administrative lead roles, telehealth respiratory monitoring, and program coordination positions that don't require direct bedside patient care.
How do you become a lead respiratory therapist?
Start by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from a CoARC-accredited program, then pass the NBRC exams to earn your CRT and RRT credentials. After several years of clinical experience, build supervisory exposure by taking charge shifts or leading protocol committees. Pursuing an advanced NBRC credential like ACCS or NPS strengthens your candidacy for formal lead roles significantly.
Can you get hired as a lead respiratory therapist without prior lead experience?
Yes, some facilities will hire an RRT with strong clinical depth into a first lead role if you can demonstrate informal leadership. Charge shift coverage, protocol development, precepting new graduates, or serving on a respiratory care committee all signal readiness. Frame those contributions explicitly on your resume rather than assuming hiring managers will infer them from your job title.
What does the lead respiratory therapist interview process look like?
Most lead RT interviews run two to three rounds. The first is typically a phone screen with HR focused on credentials and availability. The second brings you in front of the respiratory care director or chief therapist for a clinical and leadership conversation that often includes scenario-based questions. Some facilities add a brief peer panel or a tour of the department before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to lead respiratory therapist jobs?
You can find and apply to lead respiratory therapist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to each listing from the same place.
See All 4,592+ Lead Respiratory Therapist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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