Respiratory Therapist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Respiratory therapists qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as a specialty occupation requiring specialized medical knowledge. Most positions require a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy or related field, though some employers accept associate degrees with extensive experience. Hospitals and healthcare systems regularly sponsor international respiratory therapists. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Summary
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) administers respiratory care under the direction of a physician, as assigned within scope of practice.
Responsibilities
- Administers respiratory patient care under the direction of a physician. Identifies and pursues expected patient outcomes in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team.
- Educates patients, especially those with complex care issues, within hospital setting and for post-discharge care. Topics include but are not limited to:
- Bronchodilator usage
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment usage, care and maintenance
- Ramifications of smoking / tobacco usage and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma symptom management and medication usage
- Administers aerosol medications, oxygen therapy and other components of standard respiratory care. Provides for all aspects of airway management including aspiration of established airways.
- Intubates critical care patients as directed by a physician. Selects specialized ventilator modes such as pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC) in order to manage specific disease processes. Monitors intubated patients on an ongoing, round the clock basis. Weans intubated patients from ventilation through evaluative measures including spontaneous breathing trials.
- Evaluates blood-gas levels through the use of arterial punctures for all intubated patients and as ordered by a physician. Adjusts care as needed, including parameters of respiratory equipment.
- Implements the use of a range of respiratory equipment for breathing assistance and secretion management. Tests equipment, patient response and leads patient through breathing exercises.
QUALIFICATIONS
Hired candidates will be required to obtain Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification within 90 days of hire date. Training and assessment will be offered by the organization.
Required
- Must have active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) status as administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
- Must hold a current North Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license as issued by the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board (NCRCB).
- Must hold active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Preferred
- One year of work experience in an adult critical care setting.
- Experience working in a pediatric / neonatal care setting.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
Job Details
Legal Employer: Pardee - HCHC
Entity: Pardee UNC Health Care
Organization Unit: Respiratory Therapy
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 36.00
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Night Job
Location of Job: PARDEEHOSP
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
Description
Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Summary
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) administers respiratory care under the direction of a physician, as assigned within scope of practice.
Responsibilities
- Administers respiratory patient care under the direction of a physician. Identifies and pursues expected patient outcomes in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team.
- Educates patients, especially those with complex care issues, within hospital setting and for post-discharge care. Topics include but are not limited to:
- Bronchodilator usage
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment usage, care and maintenance
- Ramifications of smoking / tobacco usage and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma symptom management and medication usage
- Administers aerosol medications, oxygen therapy and other components of standard respiratory care. Provides for all aspects of airway management including aspiration of established airways.
- Intubates critical care patients as directed by a physician. Selects specialized ventilator modes such as pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC) in order to manage specific disease processes. Monitors intubated patients on an ongoing, round the clock basis. Weans intubated patients from ventilation through evaluative measures including spontaneous breathing trials.
- Evaluates blood-gas levels through the use of arterial punctures for all intubated patients and as ordered by a physician. Adjusts care as needed, including parameters of respiratory equipment.
- Implements the use of a range of respiratory equipment for breathing assistance and secretion management. Tests equipment, patient response and leads patient through breathing exercises.
QUALIFICATIONS
Hired candidates will be required to obtain Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification within 90 days of hire date. Training and assessment will be offered by the organization.
Required
- Must have active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) status as administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
- Must hold a current North Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license as issued by the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board (NCRCB).
- Must hold active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Preferred
- One year of work experience in an adult critical care setting.
- Experience working in a pediatric / neonatal care setting.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
Job Details
Legal Employer: Pardee - HCHC
Entity: Pardee UNC Health Care
Organization Unit: Respiratory Therapy
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 36.00
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Night Job
Location of Job: PARDEEHOSP
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Respiratory Therapist Jobs
Target hospitals with respiratory departments
Large hospital systems like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Kaiser Permanente frequently sponsor respiratory therapists. These employers understand the specialty occupation requirements and have established visa processes.
Emphasize your specialized training
Highlight mechanical ventilation expertise, critical care experience, and specialized certifications like CRT or RRT. These demonstrate the specialized knowledge required for H-1B approval in respiratory therapy roles.
Consider travel therapy agencies
Companies like Aya Healthcare and Cross Country Healthcare sponsor respiratory therapists for temporary assignments. This can provide H-1B experience while building your U.S. healthcare network for permanent opportunities.
Document your degree equivalency early
If you have a non-U.S. degree, get a credential evaluation from organizations like WES or ECE. Many respiratory therapy programs outside the U.S. may need formal evaluation for H-1B petitions.
Research state licensing requirements
Most states require respiratory therapist licensing before employment. Start the licensing process early since employers typically won't sponsor visas without confirmed eligibility to practice in their state.
Apply during peak hiring seasons
Healthcare hiring often peaks in spring and fall. Time your applications accordingly, as respiratory therapy positions in critical care units experience higher turnover during these periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do respiratory therapists qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, respiratory therapists qualify for H-1B visas as a specialty occupation requiring specialized medical knowledge. USCIS typically approves these petitions when the position requires a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy, cardiopulmonary sciences, or related field. Employers must demonstrate the role requires theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge in respiratory care.
What degree do I need for H-1B sponsorship as a respiratory therapist?
Most H-1B petitions require a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy or related healthcare field. Some employers may accept associate degrees in respiratory therapy combined with extensive clinical experience, but bachelor's degree holders have stronger petition success rates. Your degree must relate directly to respiratory care, cardiopulmonary sciences, or similar medical specialization.
Which employers sponsor respiratory therapists for visas?
Large hospital systems, academic medical centers, and specialized respiratory care facilities most commonly sponsor H-1B visas for respiratory therapists. Major employers include Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and Kaiser Permanente. Travel healthcare agencies like Aya Healthcare also sponsor therapists for temporary assignments that can lead to permanent opportunities.
Can I get sponsored with just an associate degree in respiratory therapy?
It's challenging but possible with extensive experience. USCIS allows three years of progressive work experience to substitute for one year of education. With an associate degree, you'd typically need 6+ years of specialized respiratory therapy experience to meet H-1B requirements. Bachelor's degree holders have significantly higher approval rates.
Do I need U.S. licensing before H-1B sponsorship?
Most employers require state respiratory therapist licensing before sponsoring H-1B petitions. Each state has different requirements, but most recognize NBRC credentials (CRT/RRT). Start the licensing process early since it can take several months and employers typically won't commit to sponsorship without confirmed practice eligibility in their state.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored 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 Respiratory Therapist jobs with visa sponsorship?
Use Migrate Mate to find Respiratory Therapist positions with visa sponsorship. Focus your search on hospitals, healthcare systems, and rehabilitation centers that commonly sponsor H-1B and EB-3 visas for healthcare professionals. These employers often have dedicated immigration support teams and regularly hire international Respiratory Therapists to fill critical staffing needs in intensive care, emergency departments, and specialized pulmonary units.