Respiratory practitioner jobs continue to grow across hospitals, home health agencies, and community care sites due to rising demand for respiratory care. Many facilities in New York need trained respiratory therapists who can assess, treat, and support patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Labor statistics show steady growth in respiratory therapy jobs, which creates strong opportunities for applicants who want stable employment or flexible contract work.
Respiratory care practitioners help patients breathe, perform diagnostic tests that evaluate lung function, and work with physicians and nursing personnel to deliver safe patient care. These responsibilities are important across high-acuity medicine units, including respiratory therapy inpatient departments and neonatal intensive care units. Flagstar Rehab supports applicants who want access to contract, travel, and direct respiratory therapy roles, offering guidance through hiring steps, licensure requirements, certifications, and career placement across New York and nearby regions.
Respiratory care practitioners perform clinical tasks that help patients with acute or chronic illness. They work with respiratory equipment, evaluate patient response to treatment, and participate in the daily workflow of the health care team. Their work supports patients and families who need education and guidance about treatment plans, equipment use, and outpatient follow-up. Because respiratory care overlaps with critical care, emergency care, and home health, respiratory practitioners must maintain strong skills in evaluation, communication, and safe use of medical devices.
Before listing the job duties, it is helpful to describe how these responsibilities impact patient outcomes. Respiratory therapists play a central role in monitoring lung function, identifying changes in respiratory conditions, and supporting physicians with accurate assessment data. They also provide support to family members who need clear explanations about equipment or treatment steps. Workers in these settings must be confident in performing procedures and reporting changes to nurses or physicians.
Common duties include:
Respiratory therapy jobs vary across settings and schedules. Some roles offer predictable full-time employment in hospitals, while others allow flexibility through contract or per diem work. Employers rely on respiratory care practitioners to fill gaps when they need to replace workers who retire or move into different occupations. These options give applicants the ability to select work environments based on personal goals, availability, and skills.
Contract and travel roles allow respiratory therapists to work in high-needs facilities across New York and nearby states. Hospitals often use contract workers during illness surges or seasonal increases in patient volume. These jobs offer flexibility and higher weekly pay in many cases, making them popular among experienced certified respiratory therapists and registered respiratory therapists.
If you want access to current respiratory care contract roles, Flagstar Rehab provides updated listings on the respiratory therapist staffing page.
Permanent roles offer stable employment, predictable schedules, and long-term assignments within a department. Employers often hire for respiratory therapy in inpatient departments, NICU units, and home health programs. Direct hire positions allow employees to develop long-term relationships with coworkers, patients, and families while expanding clinical skills through ongoing training programs.
PRN and per diem positions help hospitals cover weekend or night shifts when staffing is limited. These jobs allow respiratory therapists to maintain clinical practice while balancing outside commitments. Many facilities in Los Angeles County use per diem workers during respiratory illness seasons or when they need additional support for inpatient medicine units.
Respiratory care practitioners work in many types of clinical environments. Each setting has different needs depending on patient age, medical conditions, and equipment requirements. This variety creates opportunities for applicants at different stages of their careers, including new graduates and experienced respiratory therapists who want specialized roles.
Hospital roles include support in ICUs, emergency departments, general medicine floors, and respiratory therapy inpatient units. Workers in these areas monitor patients with respiratory conditions, administer medications, and work with physicians and nursing personnel to adjust treatment plans. Inpatient roles require strong evaluation skills and the ability to manage equipment used to support lung function.
Neonatal intensive care unit roles require specialized training because infants need careful monitoring, safe ventilation support, and frequent evaluation. Respiratory care practitioners in NICU settings communicate with families, explain treatment steps, and support caregivers who may be anxious about illness or medical equipment. These positions are common in larger hospitals across New York.
Home health respiratory therapy supports patients outside the hospital. Workers assist patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and long-term oxygen needs. They teach families to use equipment correctly and provide education that helps patients remain safe at home. These roles often require strong communication skills and the ability to support patients in community settings.
If you are exploring home health respiratory practitioner jobs, Flagstar Rehab connects applicants with agencies seeking skilled employees in New York and surrounding states.
Respiratory therapy requires formal education and clinical training. Applicants must complete a program through a university or an accredited respiratory care school. These programs teach students how to perform diagnostic tests, identify respiratory conditions, and deliver respiratory care procedures. Clinical rotations prepare students for hospital, home health, and community assignments.
Applicants typically need:
Licensure requirements depend on the state. Respiratory practitioners working in New York and Los Angeles County must meet state standards and hold active certification. Many employers prefer candidates with certifications such as:
Applicants must complete background steps before a conditional offer is finalized. Federal law protects workers from discrimination based on disability, national origin, veteran status, and other protected categories during hiring.
Employers look for:
Respiratory therapy jobs continue to grow across the United States. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows ongoing demand due to higher rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and respiratory illness in older adults. Hospitals and home health agencies must hire new employees to replace workers who retire or move into different occupations. This trend supports long-term growth for respiratory therapist roles in New York and nearby regions.
Pay varies based on experience, certifications, and job type. Contract roles often offer higher weekly compensation, while permanent roles include long-term benefits. Respiratory therapists with advanced certifications or NICU experience earn higher wages. Workers who pursue additional training through university programs often achieve senior roles, including respiratory care practitioner II or educator positions.
Below is a sample pay table that reflects common ranges across New York:
| Role | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Certified Respiratory Therapist | Competitive hourly pay based on experience |
| Registered Respiratory Therapist | Higher range due to advanced certification |
| NICU or Critical Care RT | Highest range within hospital departments |
| Contract Travel Respiratory Therapist | Often higher weekly packages |
Employers often provide:
Workers can progress into:
A therapy-focused staffing agency gives applicants access to respiratory practitioner jobs across hospitals, home health, and community programs. Flagstar Rehab supports applicants by reviewing licensure, certifications, education, and additional information needed for employment. Employers benefit by gaining access to qualified respiratory therapists who can support department needs quickly.
Applicants can apply online and connect with a recruiter who will review education, certifications, and preferred job settings. Flagstar Rehab offers access to roles across New York. Applicants complete an evaluation, interview with employers, and receive a conditional offer with placement details.
Documents needed include:
Respiratory practitioner jobs support patients, families, and the health care team across hospitals, home health programs, and inpatient units. These roles offer flexibility through contract and travel assignments or stability through permanent placements, giving workers clear options based on their goals and schedules. Flagstar Rehab connects applicants to respiratory therapy jobs in multiple settings and locations, offering guidance from application to placement so candidates can move into roles that match their skills and experience.
If you want access to reliable contract or permanent respiratory therapy roles, Flagstar Rehab provides updated openings across hospitals, home health programs, and respiratory therapy departments. You can apply online, speak with a recruiter, and receive support throughout the hiring process. Visit the respiratory therapist staffing page to review active job listings and start your application.
A respiratory therapy degree allows you to work as a respiratory care practitioner in hospitals, home health, and outpatient clinics. You can specialize in areas such as NICU, critical care, or pulmonary diagnostics. The degree also supports career growth into leadership, education, or advanced clinical roles.
The highest-paid respiratory therapists typically work in critical care, NICU, travel assignments, or high-cost states. RRTs with advanced certifications and specialty skills earn the strongest salaries. Contract and travel roles often offer the highest weekly pay.
Yes, RTs are in high demand based on national labor statistics showing strong job growth over the next decade. Many hospitals and home health programs need more staff due to rising respiratory conditions and workforce shortages. New graduates and experienced RTs both have strong job opportunities.
Respiratory therapists in New York typically earn higher-than-average salaries due to the cost of living and hospital demand. Pay often ranges from the upper $80,000s to over $100,000 per year, depending on experience and certifications. Travel and specialty roles in New York can pay even more.