OPT Respiratory Therapist Jobs
Respiratory Therapist jobs on OPT require active state licensure, which varies by state and typically takes 4 to 8 weeks to obtain after passing the NBRC exam. Most positions are full-time clinical roles at hospitals or pulmonary care centers, which count toward STEM OPT extension eligibility under certain CIP codes.
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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 Respiratory Therapist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Respiratory Therapist
Confirm your OPT start date before applying
Hospitals typically need a confirmed start date before extending an offer. Apply 60 to 90 days before your OPT begins so hiring timelines align with your authorization window and you avoid gaps between graduation and your first clinical shift.
Obtain state licensure as early as possible
Most RT positions require a valid state license before your first day. Submit your NBRC exam scores and licensure application immediately after graduation. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks and will determine which states you can realistically target in your job search.
Clarify OPT work authorization with HR upfront
Many hospital HR departments are unfamiliar with OPT. Bring your EAD card, I-20, and a one-page OPT explainer to any offer conversation. Framing it as a straightforward authorization process reduces hesitation from hiring managers unfamiliar with F-1 students.
Target large health systems with established international hiring
Large hospital networks like academic medical centers and VA facilities have dedicated HR teams familiar with work authorization. They are more likely to have processed OPT documentation before and can move through the hiring process without delays caused by compliance uncertainty.
Understand your STEM OPT extension eligibility
Respiratory Therapy programs classified under specific CIP codes may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm with your DSO whether your degree program qualifies before accepting a role, so you can accurately communicate your authorized work timeline to prospective employers.
Highlight clinical hours and NBRC credentials prominently
Respiratory Therapist roles are highly credentialed. Lead with your RRT or CRT designation, ACLS certification, and total supervised clinical hours on your resume. Quantifying your hands-on experience reduces perceived risk for employers evaluating OPT candidates against licensed domestic applicants.
Respiratory Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Respiratory Therapist on OPT without an H-1B visa?
Yes. Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) grants you the right to work for any qualifying employer during your OPT period without requiring H-1B visa sponsorship. The employer does not need to file any petition on your behalf. You simply present your EAD and valid I-20 to HR as proof of work authorization.
Do Respiratory Therapist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on how your degree program is classified. Respiratory Therapy programs are sometimes coded under health-related CIP codes that qualify for STEM OPT, but not all programs meet the criteria. Verify your program's CIP code with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility. If it qualifies, you can request a 24-month extension and file Form I-765 at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires.
How do I find Respiratory Therapist jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship willingness and work authorization compatibility. Browsing Migrate Mate lets you identify Respiratory Therapist roles at employers who have hired OPT candidates before, saving time you would otherwise spend screening postings that exclude international students.
Can I work as a travel Respiratory Therapist on OPT?
Travel RT contracts are technically permissible on OPT since your EAD authorizes employment in your field of study, not at a fixed employer. However, short-term travel contracts create reporting complications. Each assignment location may need to be updated with your DSO, and gaps between contracts could affect your OPT status. Consult your DSO before accepting travel assignments to ensure compliance.
What happens to my OPT if my Respiratory Therapist employer goes through layoffs or restructuring?
If you lose your job, you enter a 60-day unemployment grace period. You must report the separation to your DSO promptly and begin searching for a new qualifying position. OPT unemployment days are cumulative and capped at 90 days total for standard OPT. Staying under that threshold is critical to maintaining lawful F-1 status while you search for your next role.