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Respiratory Therapist
Career Insights for Respiratory Therapist
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Scorecard
Based on New Mexico data
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What they do
A Respiratory Therapist assists patients who have trouble breathing because of a chronic respiratory illness, trauma, or other conditions. Administers tests to diagnose breathing problems, performs treatments to help patients breathe easier, or sets up breathing equipment such as ventilators. Works closely with physicians and other healthcare workers, and may also assist in providing emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning, or shock. Works in hospitals; may also provide care and counseling to patients in their homes.
$71,651 / year median in New Mexico
+14% projected growth
Job Description
- Provide respiratory therapy services across Medical/Surgical, ICU, Emergency/Trauma, Pediatrics, Newborn Nursery, Women's Health/Labor and Delivery, and Outpatient departments.
- Assess, treat, and monitor patients requiring respiratory intervention, including ventilator management, airway care, and therapeutic treatments.
- Respond to emergent and critical respiratory situations, collaborating with multidisciplinary clinical teams to ensure patient safety.
- Document clinical assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately and in accordance with facility protocols and regulatory standards.
- Deliver age-appropriate respiratory care to patients across the lifespan, including neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations.
- Maintain compliance with Joint Commission (TJC) standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, HIPAA, and all applicable IHS and GIMC policies.
- Support continuity of care by covering scheduled shifts including days, nights, weekends, and federal holidays as part of an 8
- 10• or 12-hour tour rotation.
- Current, active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Valid state respiratory therapy license or eligibility to practice in New Mexico.
- Clinical competency across diverse care settings, including critical care (ICU), emergency, pediatric, neonatal, and general medical/surgical environments.
- Familiarity with Joint Commission standards and CMS Conditions of Participation as they apply to hospital-based respiratory care.
- Ability to comply with HIPAA regulations and federal Privacy Act requirements in all aspects of patient care and documentation.
- Ability to work variable shifts including nights, weekends, and federal holidays as required by operational need.
What sets candidates apart:
- Prior experience working in a federally operated or tribal health facility, particularly within IHS or a Navajo Area program.
- Demonstrated experience in neonatal or Labor and Delivery respiratory support.
- Background in high-acuity or multi-specialty hospital environments with broad patient population exposure.
- Familiarity with federal health IT systems and electronic health record documentation requirements.
- Cultural awareness or lived experience relevant to serving Native American or Indigenous patient communities.
- $156,000 a year