Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Missouri
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Missouri are concentrated in hospital systems, long-term acute care, and pediatric and neonatal units, with steady demand across every experience level from new graduates to supervisory clinicians. The largest hiring activity is in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield, where employers such as BJC HealthCare, Saint Luke's Health System, and Mercy Health maintain ongoing respiratory therapy staffing needs. Critical care, neonatal intensive care, and pulmonary rehabilitation are among the most consistently sought specialties in the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Benefits:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage – Medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
- Future Security: 401(k) with matching
- Student Loan Support – Up to $10,000 repayment assistance, because we invest in your future.
- Educational Tuition Assistance
- Competitive Pay & Full Benefits – A salary and package designed to reward your expertise and dedication.
- Paid Time Off
- Life Insurance
Job Summary
The Respiratory Therapist - RRT is responsible for the administration of pharmacological, diagnostic, and therapeutic agents related to respiratory care procedures, following physician orders. This includes performing assessments, monitoring patient responses, and implementing treatment plans to promote effective respiratory care, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. The Respiratory Therapist ensures accurate documentation, maintains patient safety, and collaborates with healthcare teams to deliver high-quality patient care. The Respiratory Therapist works under the direction of ordering physician/clinician as well as established organizational policies and procedures.
Essential Functions
- Administers advanced respiratory treatments, performs assessments, and monitors patient responses to ensure effective care.
- Orients patient to treatment modality prior to procedure in order to facilitate patient’s cooperation and successful completion of the treatment process.
- Performs and documents Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) punctures accurately, reporting results promptly.
- Assists physicians with bedside procedures as assigned.
- Performs testing procedures, such as pulmonary testing procedures, as assigned.
- Follows respiratory protocols, ensuring adherence to safety guidelines and regulatory standards during all procedures.
- Communicates effectively with peers, healthcare staff, physicians, and leadership, ensuring timely information flow and follow-up on patient care concerns.
- Evaluates and maintains respiratory therapy equipment, ensuring proper functioning, cleanliness, and adherence to safety standards.
- Accurately implements written or verbal physician orders, ensuring compliance with established respiratory care procedures.
- Provides clear, legible, and thorough documentation of all respiratory treatments, assessments, and patient responses, maintaining compliance with policies.
- Ensures proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and patient identification techniques to maintain safety and compliance with infection control standards.
- Manages ventilator settings and airway maintenance, ensuring optimal patient comfort and safety during respiratory support.
- Demonstrates skill and judgment in emergency situations, initiating appropriate interventions and collaborating with healthcare teams to stabilize patients.
- Implements age-specific care considerations for oxygen therapy, tailoring treatment to meet patient needs across all populations.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
Qualifications
- 1-3 years of respiratory experience in an acute care setting preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Proficient in administering pharmacological, diagnostic, and therapeutic respiratory procedures.
- Strong communication skills for effective interaction with healthcare teams, patients, and families.
- Skilled in patient assessment, ventilator management, and airway maintenance.
- Competent in using electronic medical record (EMR) systems for documentation and reporting.
- Knowledge of regulatory standards, safety protocols, and infection control measures.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and adherence to regulatory standards.
Licenses and Certifications
- RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist required
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support required and
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support required and
- NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation if working in the NICU Department required and
- STABLE - Neonatal Certification if working in the NICU Department required
State Specific Requirements
- Georgia: Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certifications required. Successful completion of assigned SAMA course within 30 days of hire required.
See All 74 Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Missouri
Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Respiratory Therapist JobsRespiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Missouri
Where Missouri roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Missouri
A snapshot from current Missouri openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Missouri Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in respiratory therapist jobs across Missouri.
- Active Missouri respiratory care license issued by the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts
- Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program
- Basic Life Support certification required at time of hire
- Experience with mechanical ventilation and critical care monitoring in a clinical setting
- Strong working knowledge of pulmonary function testing and patient education protocols
Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a respiratory therapist in Missouri?
You must hold an active license issued by the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts before practicing in the state. To qualify, you need to complete an accredited respiratory therapy program at the associate or bachelor's level and pass the National Board for Respiratory Care examinations to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. Missouri does not offer reciprocity by endorsement alone, so out-of-state applicants must meet the same examination and educational standards.
How much do respiratory therapists make in Missouri?
Respiratory therapists in Missouri earn a median of about $78,390 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $60,950 for the lowest 10% to over $95,730 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire respiratory therapists in Missouri?
Missouri respiratory therapist roles are posted by Mercy, BJC HealthCare, and Lincare and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Missouri's large integrated health systems drive the bulk of consistent openings, particularly in urban and suburban hospital campuses across St. Louis and Kansas City.
Which Missouri cities have the most respiratory therapist jobs?
St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield lead Missouri for respiratory therapist openings. St. Louis anchors demand through its dense concentration of academic medical centers and specialty hospitals, Kansas City draws volume from its major regional health systems and Level I trauma centers, and Springfield serves as the primary hub for southwestern Missouri with Mercy and CoxHealth operating large campuses there.
Are there remote respiratory therapist jobs in Missouri?
Yes, but they are rare. Respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role that requires direct patient contact for most functions, so the vast majority of positions are on-site. About 0% of respiratory therapist openings tied to Missouri are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in telehealth monitoring, utilization review, or clinical education and training roles.
How can I get hired as a respiratory therapist in Missouri with little or no experience?
Applying for new-graduate positions within Missouri's large health systems is the most realistic entry path. BJC HealthCare and Mercy Health both run structured new-graduate orientation programs that provide supervised clinical hours for candidates coming directly from accredited programs. Roles such as respiratory therapy technician or pulmonary function technician can also serve as a stepping stone. Holding your Registered Respiratory Therapist credential and a current Missouri license before applying gives you a clear advantage over candidates still awaiting results.
Where can I find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Missouri?
You can find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Missouri on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 74 Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Missouri
Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Respiratory Therapist Jobs