Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Certified respiratory therapists qualify for H-1B visa, EB-2, and EB-3 visa sponsorship with strong approval rates due to the specialized healthcare nature of the role. Most positions require state licensure and an associate's or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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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 25-75 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.
Weekend Requirements: As Needed
Work Hours: 7a-7p / 7p-7a
Status: Per Diem/PRN - 0.0 FTE (less than 40 hours per pay period)
Entity: Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center
Department: Respiratory Therapy
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Certified Respiratory Therapist Jobs
Target hospitals with existing visa programs
Large hospital systems like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Kaiser Permanente regularly sponsor healthcare workers. Search their career pages specifically for visa sponsorship statements.
Emphasize your specialized certifications
Highlight CRT, RRT credentials and specialized certifications like neonatal/pediatric respiratory care or sleep disorders. These demonstrate the specialty occupation requirement for H-1B visas.
Consider rural and underserved areas
Critical access hospitals in rural areas often struggle to fill respiratory therapy positions and may be more willing to sponsor international candidates for hard-to-fill roles.
Apply during respiratory therapy shortage periods
Seasonal flu periods and post-pandemic staffing shortages create urgent hiring needs. Hospitals may fast-track visa sponsorship when facing critical respiratory therapy staffing gaps.
Network through respiratory therapy associations
Join the American Association for Respiratory Care and attend conferences. Many hospitals recruit internationally through professional associations and specialized healthcare recruiting firms.
Prepare for state licensure requirements
Most states require CRT/RRT credentials plus passing the NBRC exams. Research state-specific requirements early since licensure is typically required before visa petition filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need for respiratory therapist visa sponsorship?
Most employers require an associate's or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program, plus CRT or RRT certification. Some employers may accept foreign degrees if evaluated as equivalent by a credential evaluation service like WES or ECE, though U.S.-accredited programs generally have higher approval rates.
Do respiratory therapists get approved for H-1B visas?
Yes, respiratory therapists regularly receive H-1B visa approval since the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring specialized knowledge in respiratory care, ventilator management, and patient assessment. The healthcare shortage strengthens the case for specialty occupation requirements.
Can I get green card sponsorship as a respiratory therapist?
Yes, respiratory therapists can pursue EB-2 or EB-3 green cards. EB-2 requires a bachelor's degree plus five years of experience, while EB-3 works for associate's degrees. Healthcare workers often qualify for faster processing due to ongoing shortages in the field.
Do I need state licensure before my employer files my visa petition?
Requirements vary by state and employer. Some employers file the visa petition first, then help with licensure during the process. Others require licensure upfront. California and Texas typically require licensure before employment, while other states may allow provisional practice pending full licensure.
Which visa is better for respiratory therapists - H-1B or EB-3?
H-1B provides faster entry to the U.S. but requires lottery selection and employer dependency. EB-3 leads directly to permanent residence but has longer processing times. Many respiratory therapists start with H-1B then transition to EB-3 for green card sponsorship with the same employer.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Certified Respiratory Therapist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
How to find Certified Respiratory Therapist jobs with visa sponsorship?
Use Migrate Mate to find Certified Respiratory Therapist positions with H-1B or TN visa sponsorship. Focus your search on hospitals, medical centers, rehabilitation facilities, and healthcare systems that actively sponsor international candidates. These employers often have established immigration processes and understand the value of skilled respiratory therapists in critical care, pulmonary rehabilitation, and emergency medicine departments.