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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Get Access To All JobsPay Range:
$31.03 - $46.54
A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education.
HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital is seeking a Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist to join our team. The ideal candidate will conduct basic physician prescribed treatments and demonstrate competence in respiratory equipment related to respiratory care-based practice, operate and maintain respiratory care equipment, administer patient care, and document the practice activity in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR) at the required level of competence in accordance with scope of practice, departmental policies and procedures, HIPAA standards, and quality assurance guidelines.
Position Specifics
- Department: Respiratory
- Core Function: Rehab/Therapy/Sleep
- Schedule: Part-time; Night shift, 24 hrs./week
- Facility: St. Joseph’s Hospital
- Location: Highland, IL
- Compensation that aligns with your experience
Education Qualifications
- Diploma or an Associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an Accredited Respiratory Care Education Program is required.
- Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from an Accredited Respiratory Care Education Program is preferred.
Experience Qualifications
- N/A
Certifications, Licenses and Registrations
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is required.
- Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or eligibility for licensure in the state of practice is required. License must be obtained within 6 months.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) is required.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is preferred.
Job Description
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
24
Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day.
Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a healthcare system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments.
Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient.
Benefits:
HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits.
- Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need.
- Retirement benefits including HSHS contributions.
- Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period.
- Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more!
- Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more!
HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.
Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process
Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants.
Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions.
These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS.
Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org
Pay Range:
$31.03 - $46.54
A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education.
HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital is seeking a Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist to join our team. The ideal candidate will conduct basic physician prescribed treatments and demonstrate competence in respiratory equipment related to respiratory care-based practice, operate and maintain respiratory care equipment, administer patient care, and document the practice activity in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR) at the required level of competence in accordance with scope of practice, departmental policies and procedures, HIPAA standards, and quality assurance guidelines.
Position Specifics
- Department: Respiratory
- Core Function: Rehab/Therapy/Sleep
- Schedule: Part-time; Night shift, 24 hrs./week
- Facility: St. Joseph’s Hospital
- Location: Highland, IL
- Compensation that aligns with your experience
Education Qualifications
- Diploma or an Associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an Accredited Respiratory Care Education Program is required.
- Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from an Accredited Respiratory Care Education Program is preferred.
Experience Qualifications
- N/A
Certifications, Licenses and Registrations
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is required.
- Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or eligibility for licensure in the state of practice is required. License must be obtained within 6 months.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) is required.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is preferred.
Job Description
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
24
Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day.
Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a healthcare system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments.
Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient.
Benefits:
HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits.
- Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need.
- Retirement benefits including HSHS contributions.
- Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period.
- Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more!
- Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more!
HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.
Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process
Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants.
Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions.
These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS.
Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org
See all 1,026+ 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.