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Links Healthcare
La Mesa, California

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory TherapistPer Diem

Listed compensation

$42-$45/hr

The week · per this posting

Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Join Community Care Center as a Respiratory Therapist and create a positive impact in a nurturing environment!

WHY CHOOSE Community Care Center?

We offer a wide range of tailored services, including short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and comprehensive therapy options such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

At Community Care Center, we prioritize teamwork and leadership, ensuring that all department heads are accessible and supportive. We offer a variety of educational and hands-on training opportunities to promote your career growth in a collaborative environment that values your contributions. You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals committed to enhancing patient care, with plenty of chances for advancement and a great boss who truly cares about your success.

Position Overview

The Respiratory Therapist role evaluates, treats, and cares for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of the Respiratory Department Head. Respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy Technicians.

Specific Responsibilities, Not Limited To

  • Assesses patients and recommends respiratory therapy treatments.
  • The doctor recommends respiratory therapy treatments.
  • Plans, prepares and administers respiratory therapy treatments including IPPB, aerosol, chest physical therapy, incentive spirometry, and sputum inductions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  • Performs diagnostic pulmonary and cardiac tests.
  • Inspects, tests, maintains and operates respiratory therapy equipment.
  • Responds to “code blue” calls and assists by maintaining the patient’s airway and performs CPR.
  • Instructs respiratory technicians.
  • Patient care documentation is timely, legible, and efficient.
  • Notes are concise, pertinent and meet departmental documentation standards.
  • Oral reporting is clear, concise, relevant, and timely.
  • Utilize resources and materials in an efficient and safe manner.
  • Performs all duties promptly in a competent and caring manner.
  • Present a neat appearance and dress in compliance with the client facilities’ policies.
  • While on assignment, the Respiratory Therapist is responsible and accountable to their assigned patients and to the client institution. The Respiratory Therapist is under the direct supervision of the Department Head or other assigned personnel and must have the ability to follow directions/instruction from his/her supervisor.

Qualifications/Specific Requirements

1. Education: Associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program.

2. Experience: A minimum of 6 months of experience in a skilled nursing facility setting is preferred.

3. License: Current license as a Respiratory Therapist as required by the state of California.

4. Certifications: National Provider BLS or CPR - American Heart Association upon hire

Benefits

  • Paid sick leave
  • PTO
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401(k)
  • Healthcare insurance
  • Life insurance

Schedule: Per diem

Salary: $42-$45/hr (Depending on Experience)

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related condition), age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), genetic predisposition or carrier status, military or veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status protected by law.

Key Responsibilities

The Respiratory Therapist evaluates and treats patients with cardiopulmonary disorders through diagnostic procedures and therapeutic treatments. They are also responsible for supervising respiratory technicians and responding to emergency 'code blue' calls.

Requirements

Candidates must have an associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program and a current California state license. BLS or CPR certification from the American Heart Association is required, and experience in a skilled nursing facility is preferred.

Key Skills

Patient AssessmentCardiopulmonary CareAerosol TherapyPulmonary TestingCardiac TestingPatient DocumentationAirway ManagementEquipment MaintenanceClinical Supervision

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 40 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 53% have no call, 53% require no weekends.

Respiratory Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top contract/1099 Respiratory Therapist Jobs

31 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution24 jobs · 23 employers

6
<$100k
11
$100k-115k
4
$115k-130k
3
$130k-145k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks21 jobs

401k / retirement match
81% this job
Sign-on bonus
33%
Relocation assistance
19%
PSLF eligible
10%
CME allowance
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Respiratory Therapist - per diem, day shiftPer Diem

Beth Israel Lahey Health · Danvers, Minnesota

$39.59-$58.83/hr
#2

Respiratory Therapist II PRNPer Diem

Sentara Health · South Boston, Virginia

$37.61-$55.27/hr
#3

Registered Respiratory Therapist MRMC - 32 hours Days

$29.71-$53.49/hr
#4

Registered Respiratory Therapist MRMC - 32 hrs Eve

$29.71-$53.49/hr
+ 29 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 4.8
Better work-life than 70% of Respiratory Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,803 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in La Mesa

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$891k
Typical market rent
$2,645/mo
Residents’ average commute
24 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Links Healthcare

Hospitals and Health Care
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid sick leave
PTO
Dental
Vision
401(k)
Healthcare insurance
Life insurance