Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Kentucky
Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs in Kentucky are consistently active, with steady demand concentrated in hospital systems, long-term acute care, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green lead hiring, where established employers like Norton Healthcare, UK HealthCare, and Baptist Health maintain ongoing openings at staff, travel, and senior clinical levels. Critical care, neonatal respiratory therapy, and sleep diagnostics are among the most sought-after specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Summary:
Provides assessment, treatment, care, education, and evaluation for patients with respiratory insufficiencies.
Job Responsibilities:
Delivers and assesses response to ordered therapy per plan of care.
Monitors, records, and communicates patient condition as appropriate.
Evaluates respiratory practice, administration of medications, and treatment based on patient outcomes.
Responds to emergency resuscitation team calls.
Educates the patient and family about the patient's illness, medications, and provides information about community support groups and other resources.
Skills and Attributes:
Requires critical thinking skills and decisive judgment.
Works under minimal supervision.
Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
Position Requirements:
Work Experience
No experience required
Education
Associate's degree or higher in Respiratory Therapy required upon hire OR
Associate's degree or higher in related field required upon hire
Additional Education Information
A combination of education, training and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
Licensure/Certification/Registration
CRT - Certified Respiratory Therapist with the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) required upon hire AND
RCP - Licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in the state of Kentucky required upon hire AND
BLS - Certified as a Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider required within 90 days of employment in this position
Organizational Responsibilities:
Supports Owensboro Health’s Mission, Vision, Core Commitments, and business interests. Adheres to all organizational policies and procedures. Executes all tasks and behaves in a manner consistent with a culture of compliance, safety and a high reliability organization.
Additional Job Information:
This job description describes the general nature and level of work required by the position. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of qualifications, skills, duties, responsibilities or working conditions of the job. Specific duties and responsibilities consistent with the general nature and level of work described may vary by department and additional related duties may be assigned as needed. Some duties listed may not apply to all employees with this job description.
The job description is subject to change with or without notice, and Management reserves the right to add, modify or remove any qualification or duty. Nothing in this job description changes the existing at-will employment relationship between the Organization and the employee occupying the position.
Standard ADA Settings:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands: (Clinical-Hospital)
Standing: Frequently
Walking: Frequently
Sitting: Occasionally
Lifting 0-25 lbs: Frequently
Lifting 25-75 lbs: Rarely
Lifting over 75 lbs: Rarely
Carrying 0-25 lbs: Frequently
Carrying 2575 lbs: Rarely
Carrying over 75 lbs: Rarely
Pushing/Pulling 0-25 lbs: Frequently
Pushing/Pulling 25-75 lbs: Frequently
Pushing/Pulling over 75 lbs: Frequently
Climbing: Occasionally
Bending/Stooping: Frequently
Kneeling: Occasionally
Crouching/Crawling: Occasionally
Reaching: Frequently
Talking: Frequently
Hearing: Frequently
Repetitive Foot/Leg Movements: Rarely
Repetitive Hand/Arm Movements: Frequently
Keyboard Data Entry: Frequently
Running: Occasionally
Vision: Depth Perception: Frequently
Vision: Distinguish Color: Frequently
Vision: Seeing Far: Frequently
Vision: Seeing Near: Frequently
Hazardous Drug Risk Exposure:
Risk Level: Low-Risk
Owensboro Health Core Commitments
INTEGRITY - We conduct ourselves with a high level of responsibility, reliability and honesty because we take seriously the trust of our patients and coworkers.
RESPECT - We value and accept the unique talents and contributions of every patient, customer and team member in the Owensboro Health community.
TEAMWORK - We build a spirit of connectivity and fellowship by striving together to overcome obstacles, surpass goals, celebrate accomplishments and plan the future.
INNOVATION - We foster original ideas and creative solutions that improve our daily work and promote the mission of Owensboro Health.
SERVICE - We focus on service to patients, customers and team members by anticipating their needs, thoughtfully meeting those needs and continually improving the quality of everything we do.
EXCELLENCE - We reach beyond basic expectations to expand our knowledge and awareness, produce exceptional work and provide outstanding service.
See All 71 Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Kentucky
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Find JobsRegistered Respiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Registered Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Vibra Travels12

- Baptist Health System KY & IN9

- St. Elizabeth Healthcare5

- Vibra Healthcare3

- Kindred Hospitals3

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in registered respiratory therapist jobs across Kentucky.
- Active Kentucky respiratory care license issued by the Kentucky 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
- Demonstrated competency with mechanical ventilation and advanced airway management
- BLS certification required, with ACLS or NRP preferred for critical care settings
- Ability to rotate across shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays as required
Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a registered respiratory therapist in Kentucky?
You become a registered respiratory therapist in Kentucky by completing an accredited respiratory care program, passing the National Board for Respiratory Care's Therapist Multiple-Choice and Clinical Simulation exams to earn the RRT credential, then applying for a Kentucky respiratory care license through the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care. The board requires proof of your NBRC credentials and a completed application before you can practice in the state.
How much do registered respiratory therapists make in Kentucky?
Registered respiratory therapists in Kentucky earn a median of about $72,750 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $58,330 for the lowest 10% to over $92,540 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire registered respiratory therapists in Kentucky?
Companies currently hiring registered respiratory therapists in Kentucky include Vibra Travels, Baptist Health System KY & IN, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Kentucky's large integrated health systems and regional hospital networks drive the bulk of consistent openings, particularly for full-time staff and travel positions.
Which Kentucky cities have the most registered respiratory therapist jobs?
Louisville, Paducah, and Madisonville have the most registered respiratory therapist openings in Kentucky. Louisville anchors the market as home to major systems like Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health, while Lexington's concentration around UK HealthCare and regional medical centers drives strong volume, and Bowling Green reflects growing demand from the south-central corridor's expanding hospital infrastructure.
Are there remote registered respiratory therapist jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. Registered respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role requiring direct patient contact, so the vast majority of positions are fully on-site. About 0% of registered respiratory therapist openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those tend to be in telehealth monitoring, sleep study interpretation, or clinical education rather than bedside care.
How can I get hired as a registered respiratory therapist in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or residency programs at Kentucky's larger health systems, where Norton Healthcare and UK HealthCare have historically onboarded new RRTs into structured orientation tracks. Targeting general medical-surgical or step-down units before moving into ICU or neonatal roles is a common progression. Holding your Kentucky respiratory care license and NBRC RRT credential on or before your start date is the single strongest advantage for candidates with limited clinical hours beyond program externships.
Where can I find and apply to registered respiratory therapist jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to registered respiratory therapist jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings across hospital systems, long-term acute care facilities, and outpatient respiratory programs. Find the roles that fit your credentials and experience, then apply directly.
See All 71 Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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