Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee
Respiratory Therapist jobs in Tennessee draw consistent demand from a market anchored in hospital-based acute care, long-term acute care facilities, and home health services, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville generate the highest volume of listings, where large systems such as HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Covenant Health maintain ongoing hiring pipelines. The most in-demand specialties across Tennessee are neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, mechanical ventilation management in ICU settings, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 105+ Respiratory Therapist jobs
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Facility: Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown
- Department: Respiratory Services
- Schedule: Day Shift | PRN
- Retirement: 403(b) plan
- Well-being support: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Assess, develop, and implement individualized respiratory care plans for adult patients with acute and chronic respiratory insufficiencies, including oxygen therapy, aerosol treatments, and ventilator support.
- Monitor, document, and communicate patient respiratory status, response to therapy, and changes in condition while collaborating with the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
- Perform advanced respiratory care procedures including mechanical ventilation management, arterial blood gas analysis, airway management, and emergency respiratory interventions.
- Educate patients and families on respiratory conditions, treatment plans, equipment use, and available community resources while responding as an active member of emergency resuscitation/code teams.
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- One or more of the following required:
- Respiratory Therapist specializing in Registered credentialed from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date.
- Respiratory Therapist credentialed from the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date.
- High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Facility: Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown
- Department: Respiratory Services
- Schedule: Day Shift | PRN
- Retirement: 403(b) plan
- Well-being support: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Assess, develop, and implement individualized respiratory care plans for adult patients with acute and chronic respiratory insufficiencies, including oxygen therapy, aerosol treatments, and ventilator support.
- Monitor, document, and communicate patient respiratory status, response to therapy, and changes in condition while collaborating with the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
- Perform advanced respiratory care procedures including mechanical ventilation management, arterial blood gas analysis, airway management, and emergency respiratory interventions.
- Educate patients and families on respiratory conditions, treatment plans, equipment use, and available community resources while responding as an active member of emergency resuscitation/code teams.
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
- One or more of the following required:
- Respiratory Therapist specializing in Registered credentialed from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date.
- Respiratory Therapist credentialed from the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care obtained within 6 Months (180 days) of hire date or job transfer date.
- High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
See All 105+ Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Respiratory Therapist JobsRespiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- TriStar Health10
- Lincare7
- Ascension7
- Select Specialty Hospital7
- HealthTrust Workforce Solutions7
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Automotive
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in respiratory therapist jobs across Tennessee.
- Active Tennessee Respiratory Care license issued by the Tennessee 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
- Basic Life Support certification current and maintained throughout employment
- Experience with mechanical ventilation and critical care patient monitoring
- Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays
Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a respiratory therapist in Tennessee?
You must hold an active license issued by the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care to practice in the state. The path starts with completing an accredited respiratory care program, earning at least an associate degree, then passing the Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist exam through the National Board for Respiratory Care. You then apply for licensure directly through the Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care before practicing.
How much do respiratory therapists make in Tennessee?
Respiratory therapists in Tennessee earn a median of about $72,140 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $57,860 for the lowest 10% to over $88,060 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire respiratory therapists in Tennessee?
Employers hiring respiratory therapists in Tennessee right now include TriStar Health, Lincare, and Ascension, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Tennessee's concentration of large regional hospital systems and long-term acute care facilities means employer demand stays steady throughout the year rather than spiking seasonally.
Which Tennessee cities have the most respiratory therapist jobs?
Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville have the most respiratory therapist openings in Tennessee. Nashville's dominance reflects its role as the headquarters hub for several major hospital corporations and its large academic medical center presence, while Memphis and Knoxville anchor significant regional health systems that draw patients from across their surrounding multi-county areas.
Are there remote respiratory therapist jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role that requires direct patient contact for assessment, ventilator management, and treatment delivery, so most positions are fully on-site. About 0% of respiratory therapist openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those tend to be telehealth triage, pulmonary education coordination, or clinical management roles rather than bedside positions.
How can I get hired as a respiratory therapist in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for new graduate positions at large Tennessee health systems, which hire candidates immediately upon passing their credentialing exams. HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center run structured orientation programs designed for new graduates in Tennessee. Completing a clinical rotation at a Tennessee facility during your program gives you an advantage, and holding your Certified Respiratory Therapist credential before applying signals readiness even without paid experience.
Where can I find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your credentials and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 105+ Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Respiratory Therapist Jobs