Entry Level Lead Respiratory Therapist Jobs
New grad lead respiratory therapist jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong clinical rotation performance or internship work can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, with employers like Ascension, OSF HealthCare, and Trinity Health hiring at this level now.
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Location: Nashville, TN
Facility: Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown
Department: Respiratory Services
Schedule: Day Shift | Full-time
Sign-on bonus: $12,000
COMPENSATION
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides comprehensive respiratory care for neonatal patients, including intubation, ventilator/Vapotherm management, Curosurf administration, ABG/CBG analysis, and emergency resuscitation response.
- Evaluates patients, develops and implements individualized care plans, and monitors patient condition, treatments, and equipment.
- Collaborates with providers and nursing staff to ensure optimal outcomes and educate families on patient care and support resources.
- Participates in NICU and Transport Team operations, attending high-risk deliveries and providing specialized care for critically ill neonates.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- Respiratory Therapist credentialed from the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date required.
- Respiratory Therapist specializing in Registered credentialed from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date required.
- One or more of the following: Certification specializing in Neonatal Resuscitation credentialed from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date or Instructor specializing in Neonatal Resuscitation credentialed from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date.
Education:
- High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Candidates will have 2+ years of prior NICU RRT experience.
- Candidates will have prior experience on a transport team.
- Advanced Life Support. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
Location: Nashville, TN
Facility: Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown
Department: Respiratory Services
Schedule: Day Shift | Full-time
Sign-on bonus: $12,000
COMPENSATION
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides comprehensive respiratory care for neonatal patients, including intubation, ventilator/Vapotherm management, Curosurf administration, ABG/CBG analysis, and emergency resuscitation response.
- Evaluates patients, develops and implements individualized care plans, and monitors patient condition, treatments, and equipment.
- Collaborates with providers and nursing staff to ensure optimal outcomes and educate families on patient care and support resources.
- Participates in NICU and Transport Team operations, attending high-risk deliveries and providing specialized care for critically ill neonates.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- Respiratory Therapist credentialed from the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date required.
- Respiratory Therapist specializing in Registered credentialed from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date required.
- One or more of the following: Certification specializing in Neonatal Resuscitation credentialed from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date or Instructor specializing in Neonatal Resuscitation credentialed from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date.
Education:
- High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Candidates will have 2+ years of prior NICU RRT experience.
- Candidates will have prior experience on a transport team.
- Advanced Life Support. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
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Find JobsEntry Level Lead Respiratory Therapist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Ascension34
- OSF HealthCare23
- Trinity Health22
- Piedmont Healthcare20
- Kindred Hospitals18
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services639
- Education19
- Science & Research8
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Technology & Software4
Entry Level Lead Respiratory Therapist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level lead respiratory therapist job?
Start by completing your Registered Respiratory Therapist credential, since most entry level lead respiratory therapist postings list it as a minimum requirement even at the junior level. Highlighting clinical rotations, externships, or any supervisory experience from training programs gives you an edge. Tailoring your application to show comfort with ventilator management and patient assessment helps you stand out against other new grad candidates.
Which companies hire entry level lead respiratory therapists?
Companies hiring entry level lead respiratory therapists right now include Ascension, OSF HealthCare, and Trinity Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from hospitals, large health systems, and long-term acute care facilities that build their lead staff from new graduate pipelines rather than requiring seasoned candidates.
Are there remote entry level lead respiratory therapist jobs?
Yes, though most positions in this field are on-site given the hands-on nature of respiratory care. About 1% of entry level lead respiratory therapist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those roles typically involve care coordination, patient education, or telehealth support functions rather than direct bedside therapy.
Are these new grad lead respiratory therapist jobs?
Yes, this page includes new grad, recent graduate, and junior lead respiratory therapist roles. A new grad friendly posting typically welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts clinical rotation hours or internship work in place of full-time history, and does not require prior lead or supervisory tenure, making them accessible to candidates coming straight from an accredited respiratory therapy program.
Which industries hire the most entry level lead respiratory therapists?
Entry Level lead respiratory therapist roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive entry level hiring because patient volume and staffing structures in acute and post-acute care create consistent demand for new graduates ready to step into lead roles with mentorship support.