Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Iowa
Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs in Iowa are concentrated in hospital systems, long-term acute care, and pulmonary rehabilitation, with consistent demand from entry-level staff positions through senior and lead therapist roles. The busiest hiring markets are Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where employers like UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics maintain ongoing respiratory therapy departments. Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, critical care ventilator management, and sleep diagnostics are the most in-demand specialties across the state right now. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 73+ Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs
Respiratory Therapist
Join Cornerstone Services in Des Moines, IA, and become a part of a healthcare team that prioritizes compassion and commitment to exceptional care. As a Respiratory Therapist at Cornerstone Services, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents while working in a dynamic and supportive environment.
About the Role:
As a Respiratory Therapist, you will be responsible for providing high-quality respiratory care to our residents, including trach care, oxygen therapy, and ventilator management. You will work closely with our interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care plans that address the unique needs of each resident. Your expertise and attention to detail will ensure that our residents receive the highest level of care, empowering them to live life to the fullest.
Responsibilities:
Provide respiratory care to residents, including trach care, oxygen therapy, and ventilator management
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care plans
Conduct respiratory assessments and treatments, including ventilation and respiratory therapy
Monitor and maintain respiratory equipment, including ventilators and oxygen tanks
Educate residents, families, and healthcare staff on respiratory care and disease management
Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance resident care and outcomes
What We Offer:
A dynamic and supportive work environment that fosters professional growth and development
Opportunities for collaboration and teamwork with a dedicated healthcare team
A chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents and their families
Requirements:
Active NBRC license
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or registration as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP)
Current state licensure or certification as a Respiratory Therapist
How to Apply:
If you are passionate about providing exceptional respiratory care and want to join a team that is dedicated to making a difference, apply now to become part of Cornerstone Services' Respiratory Therapy team!
Respiratory Therapist
Join Cornerstone Services in Des Moines, IA, and become a part of a healthcare team that prioritizes compassion and commitment to exceptional care. As a Respiratory Therapist at Cornerstone Services, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents while working in a dynamic and supportive environment.
About the Role:
As a Respiratory Therapist, you will be responsible for providing high-quality respiratory care to our residents, including trach care, oxygen therapy, and ventilator management. You will work closely with our interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care plans that address the unique needs of each resident. Your expertise and attention to detail will ensure that our residents receive the highest level of care, empowering them to live life to the fullest.
Responsibilities:
Provide respiratory care to residents, including trach care, oxygen therapy, and ventilator management
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care plans
Conduct respiratory assessments and treatments, including ventilation and respiratory therapy
Monitor and maintain respiratory equipment, including ventilators and oxygen tanks
Educate residents, families, and healthcare staff on respiratory care and disease management
Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance resident care and outcomes
What We Offer:
A dynamic and supportive work environment that fosters professional growth and development
Opportunities for collaboration and teamwork with a dedicated healthcare team
A chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents and their families
Requirements:
Active NBRC license
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or registration as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP)
Current state licensure or certification as a Respiratory Therapist
How to Apply:
If you are passionate about providing exceptional respiratory care and want to join a team that is dedicated to making a difference, apply now to become part of Cornerstone Services' Respiratory Therapy team!
See All 73 Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsRegistered Respiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Registered Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- MercyOne12
- UnityPoint Health12
- The University of Iowa7
- American Traveler5
- FirstChoice4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in registered respiratory therapist jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa respiratory care practitioner license issued by the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care
- Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory care from an accredited program
- Current Basic Life Support certification from an accredited provider
- Experience with mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas interpretation, and pulmonary function testing
- Strong communication skills for collaborating with physicians, nurses, and patients in acute care settings
Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a registered respiratory therapist in Iowa?
You must hold an active Iowa Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care Examiners, which requires completing an accredited respiratory therapy program and passing the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple-Choice Exam to earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential, followed by the Registry exam to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. Most Iowa hospital employers expect both the Iowa license and the full RRT credential before hire.
How much do registered respiratory therapists make in Iowa?
Registered respiratory therapists in Iowa earn a median of about $74,760 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $62,860 for the lowest 10% to over $86,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire registered respiratory therapists in Iowa?
Iowa registered respiratory therapist roles are posted by MercyOne, UnityPoint Health, and The University of Iowa and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's largest hiring volume comes from integrated health systems anchored in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where hospital campuses run respiratory departments across multiple facilities.
Which Iowa cities have the most registered respiratory therapist jobs?
Des Moines, Davenport, and Iowa City have the most registered respiratory therapist openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the largest share of postings as the state's most populous metro and home to major health systems with multiple hospital campuses, while Iowa City's volume reflects the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, a major academic medical center that sustains consistent respiratory therapy demand year-round.
Are there remote registered respiratory therapist jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of registered respiratory therapist openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, because the vast majority of respiratory therapy work requires hands-on patient care in hospitals, clinics, or long-term acute care settings. The narrow exceptions tend to be telehealth respiratory assessment roles, care coordination positions, or clinical education and training roles that don't require direct bedside contact.
How can I get hired as a registered respiratory therapist in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate position at a large Iowa hospital system, where UnityPoint Health and MercyOne periodically run new-grad respiratory therapy cohorts designed for candidates who have completed an accredited program and hold or are eligible for their Iowa license. Candidates without hospital experience often enter through long-term acute care or home health respiratory roles, which carry lighter acuity requirements, then transition to acute care. Completing clinical rotations at Iowa institutions and earning the full RRT credential before applying gives new graduates a clear competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to registered respiratory therapist jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to registered respiratory therapist jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your credentials and preferred location, and apply directly to whichever positions fit your background.
See All 73 Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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