OPT Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs
Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs on OPT require active RRT credentialing from the NBRC, which most employers treat as a hard requirement before your start date. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role, so your 12-month standard OPT window is the timeline to work with.
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Baptist Health is the region's largest not-for-profit healthcare organization, with 12 hospitals, over 29,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. With internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences, Baptist Health is supported by philanthropy and driven by its faith-based mission of medical excellence. For 26 years, we've been named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, and in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Baptist Health was the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida, earning 63 high-performing honors.
What truly sets us apart is our people. At Baptist Health, we create personal connections with our colleagues that go beyond the workplace, and we form meaningful relationships with patients and their families that extend beyond delivering care. Many of us have walked in our patients' shoes ourselves and that shared experience fuels our commitment to compassion and quality. Our culture is rooted in purpose, and every team member plays a part in making a positive impact – because when it comes to caring for people, we're all in.
At Baptist Health, we’re committed to supporting our employees at every stage of their journey, both personally and professionally. Our approach is rooted in a “grow our own” philosophy, designed to help our team members build meaningful, long-term careers with us, supported by benefits that make a real difference, including:
- Career growth and development opportunities, with clear pathways and ongoing support
- Comprehensive health and wellness resources that go beyond traditional benefits
- A wellness program that can help employees eliminate their medical plan deductible, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs
- Tuition reimbursement to support continued learning and advancement
- And so much more
Together, these benefits and others reflect our commitment to caring for our people, so they can build fulfilling careers with us while making a meaningful impact every day.
Description:
A Lead Therapist is an individual who demonstrates leadership skills and knowledge in the management of all types of patients (acute and chronic) ICU/critical care population. Strict interdepartmental development and interpersonal skills are required to effectively provide the leadership and support to maintain working relationships within the various departments of the hospital. Constant evaluation and monitoring of services assures quality care to the patient. This individual will be responsible for participation in Grand Rounds, coordination of care throughout intensive care units, coordination of inter-hospital transfers and communicating effectively with the pulmonary physicians and critical care supervisor.
Qualifications
Degrees:
- Associates.
Licenses & Certifications:
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support.
- Basic Life Support.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
- Registered Respiratory Therapist.
- Certified Respiratory Therapist.
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification.
Additional Qualifications:
- Associate of Science required, Bachelor‘s preferred.
- Current Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist License in the State of Florida.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Card/ CPR Card.
- ACLS, PALS, NRP required per department standards.
Minimum Required Experience: 4 Years
EOE, including disability/vets
Sign-On Bonus: Up to $25,000
Baptist Health is the region's largest not-for-profit healthcare organization, with 12 hospitals, over 29,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. With internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences, Baptist Health is supported by philanthropy and driven by its faith-based mission of medical excellence. For 26 years, we've been named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, and in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Baptist Health was the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida, earning 63 high-performing honors.
What truly sets us apart is our people. At Baptist Health, we create personal connections with our colleagues that go beyond the workplace, and we form meaningful relationships with patients and their families that extend beyond delivering care. Many of us have walked in our patients' shoes ourselves and that shared experience fuels our commitment to compassion and quality. Our culture is rooted in purpose, and every team member plays a part in making a positive impact – because when it comes to caring for people, we're all in.
At Baptist Health, we’re committed to supporting our employees at every stage of their journey, both personally and professionally. Our approach is rooted in a “grow our own” philosophy, designed to help our team members build meaningful, long-term careers with us, supported by benefits that make a real difference, including:
- Career growth and development opportunities, with clear pathways and ongoing support
- Comprehensive health and wellness resources that go beyond traditional benefits
- A wellness program that can help employees eliminate their medical plan deductible, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs
- Tuition reimbursement to support continued learning and advancement
- And so much more
Together, these benefits and others reflect our commitment to caring for our people, so they can build fulfilling careers with us while making a meaningful impact every day.
Description:
A Lead Therapist is an individual who demonstrates leadership skills and knowledge in the management of all types of patients (acute and chronic) ICU/critical care population. Strict interdepartmental development and interpersonal skills are required to effectively provide the leadership and support to maintain working relationships within the various departments of the hospital. Constant evaluation and monitoring of services assures quality care to the patient. This individual will be responsible for participation in Grand Rounds, coordination of care throughout intensive care units, coordination of inter-hospital transfers and communicating effectively with the pulmonary physicians and critical care supervisor.
Qualifications
Degrees:
- Associates.
Licenses & Certifications:
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support.
- Basic Life Support.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
- Registered Respiratory Therapist.
- Certified Respiratory Therapist.
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Certification.
Additional Qualifications:
- Associate of Science required, Bachelor‘s preferred.
- Current Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist License in the State of Florida.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Card/ CPR Card.
- ACLS, PALS, NRP required per department standards.
Minimum Required Experience: 4 Years
EOE, including disability/vets
See all 292+ OPT Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Registered Respiratory Therapist
Obtain your RRT credential before applying
Most hospitals won't consider candidates without active NBRC RRT certification. Sitting for the RRT exam while still in school maximizes your OPT window and removes the biggest barrier employers cite when declining international applicants.
Target states with high respiratory therapy demand
States like Texas, California, Florida, and Michigan have large hospital systems that hire respiratory therapists regularly. Higher patient volume in these markets means more open positions and better odds of finding employers open to OPT authorization.
Apply to hospital systems, not only clinics
Large hospital networks and academic medical centers have HR departments familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller outpatient clinics often lack experience sponsoring international candidates, making them slower to move forward even when interested.
Lead with your OPT status early in outreach
Mentioning your OPT authorization upfront in cover letters prevents late-stage surprises. Frame it clearly: you have existing work authorization, no employer petition is required, and you can start immediately after your EAD arrives from USCIS.
Use your clinical rotations as leverage
If you completed clinical rotations at a hospital during your program, reach out directly to respiratory therapy supervisors there. Facilities that already trained you know your clinical skills and face lower risk hiring you on OPT.
Plan your H-1B sponsorship conversation before month six
Respiratory therapy is a specialty occupation that qualifies for H-1B visa sponsorship. Raise the topic with your employer by month six of OPT so they have time to retain an immigration attorney and file before your authorization expires.
Registered Respiratory Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Registered Respiratory Therapist on OPT?
Yes. Registered Respiratory Therapist roles qualify for OPT work authorization because they directly relate to respiratory therapy or allied health degree programs. You'll need an active EAD from USCIS and, in most states, a state respiratory care license in addition to your NBRC RRT credential before your first day of patient care.
Is Registered Respiratory Therapist eligible for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Respiratory therapy programs are classified under CIP code 51.0908, which is not on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list. That means you have 12 months of standard OPT authorization, not 36. Planning your H-1B or other long-term visa pathway early is important given that narrower window.
Do employers need to file anything with the government to hire me on OPT?
No employer filing is required during your OPT period. Your EAD is standalone work authorization. The employer simply verifies your EAD and passport during I-9 onboarding. This is a meaningful advantage over H-1B, where the employer must file a petition and pay fees before you can start.
Where can I find Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs that accept OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness, so you're not applying blindly to employers who won't consider OPT authorization. Searching Migrate Mate for Registered Respiratory Therapist roles surfaces employers with a documented history of hiring international candidates in clinical roles.
Can my employer sponsor me for an H-1B after my OPT ends?
Registered Respiratory Therapist is a specialty occupation that qualifies for H-1B sponsorship, provided your role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field. Your employer would need to file an H-1B petition subject to the annual lottery. Given the 12-month OPT window, start that conversation with your employer no later than your sixth month.