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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Location: UCHealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion - Aurora, CO
Department: Respiratory Care Main
FTE: Full Time, 0.9, 72.00 hours per pay period (2 weeks)
Shift: Nights
Pay: $31.61 - $47.41 / hour. Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience
Minimum Requirements:
- Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program.
- Registered as a Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Respiratory Therapist-Colorado
- BLS - BLS through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer with card in-hand before start date. BLS or CPR card must be good through sixty days of hire.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- NRP obtained within 1 year if assigned to NICU; tracked on unit.
- PALS within 1 year if assigned to ED; tracked on unit.
Responsibilities:
- Provides top of scope practice in direct patient care environment utilizing respiratory therapy protocols and best practices to promote optimized care
- Values and effectively partners with a multidisciplinary team to achieve exceptional care outcomes
- Prioritizes wellness, a patient perspective and evidence-based practice
- Models proficiency through precepting those new to healthcare and/or UCHealth
- Welcomes new knowledge in a fast paced, innovative clinical environment
- Contributes to secure safety and quality at the point of care
Respiratory Therapist (new grad):
For our newly graduated RT's, we offer programs that provide mentoring and professional development to increase competency and proficiency at the point of care.
We improve lives. In big ways through learning, healing, and discovery. In small, personal ways through human connection. But in all ways, we improve lives.
Benefits:
UCHealth invests in its Workforce.
UCHealth offers a Five Year Incentive Bonus to recognize employee's contributions to our success in quality, patient experience, organizational growth, financial goals, and tenure with UCHealth. The bonus accumulates annually each October and is paid out in October following completion of five years' employment.
UCHealth offers their employees a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package:
- Medical, dental and vision coverage including coverage for eligible dependents
- 403(b) with employer matching contributions
- Time away from work: paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI), leaves of absence; start your employment at UCHealth with PTO in your bank
- Employer-paid basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with buy-up coverage options
- Employer paid short term disability and long-term disability with buy-up coverage options
- Wellness benefits
- Full suite of voluntary benefits such as flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care, health savings accounts (available with HD/HSA medical plan only), identity theft protection, pet insurance, and employee discount programs
- Education benefits for employees, including the opportunity to be eligible for 100% of tuition, books and fees paid for by UCHealth for specific educational degrees. Other programs may qualify for up to $5,250 pre-paid by UCHealth or in the form of tuition reimbursement each calendar year
Loan Repayment:
UCHealth is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program! UCHealth provides employees with free assistance navigating the PSLF program to submit their federal student loans for forgiveness through Savi.
UCHealth always welcomes talent. This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.
UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual's race, color, national origin, language, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state, or local law. UCHealth does not discriminate against any qualified applicant with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when they do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
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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.