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Duke Health
Durham, North Carolina

Respiratory Therapist - Adult

Respiratory TherapistFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not disclosed

Listing transparency1 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting and call expectations.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

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$20,000 Commitment Bonus eligible if qualified

**** Up to $8,000 Relocation Assistance eligible if qualified

Job Description

Perform diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures as defined in the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice. Work performed in accordance with physician orders. Defined duties are performed in neonatal and pediatric patient populations.

Duties and responsibilities

Administer oxygen, aerosolized medication via Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing ( IPPB), Intermittent Aerosol Therapy (IAT) and Metered Dose Inhaler ( MDI) and incentive breathing devices.

Perform nasotracheal and artificial airway suctioning, CPR and bag- mask ventilation, pulse oximetry monitoring, arterial blood gas punctures and bedside pulmonary mechanics.

Diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures, pulmonary function studies, EKGs and cardiac monitoring.

Assure correct set-up, safety and function of all equipment/ supplies necessary in the provision of patient care.

  • Assure adherence to all infectious disease standards in the delivery of all patient care procedures.
  • Understands pharmacological indications, dosages and response to adverse drug reactions.
  • Provides education to patients, families, physicians, nursing and other members of the health care team.
  • Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
  • Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

  • RCP
  • Completion of AMA 2 approved year Associates Degree, or the equivalent program.
  • RCP Advanced
  • Completion of a 2 year AMA approved respiratory care program (Associates Degree or the equivalent).
  • Must maintain annual skill maintenance requirements Must maintain annual safety/compliance requirements
  • Must maintain North Carolina annual license requirements for CEUs

Experience

  • RCP
  • None required
  • RCP Advanced
  • Six months to one year of clinical experience following graduation from a respiratory care program.
  • Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
  • RCP

North Carolina State Licensure or North Carolina State Provisional License, Certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

If CRT, must obtain RRT within 6 months of employment

Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), and any other applicable certifications applicable to the institution.

  • RCP Advanced
  • North Carolina State Licensure
  • Registry ( RRT) by the National Association for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
  • Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Certification in Neonatal Resuscitation (NRPS) if applicable to institution
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge necessary to make appropriate clinical decisions and interactions relative to the specific age of a patient.

  • Skills validation/certifications of competencies for the duties and responsibilities of this level.
  • Must maintain annual skill and safety/compliance requirements
  • Must maintain North Carolina annual license requirements for CEU's
  • Customer service and communication expertise.

Work involves contact with patients of all ages, family members, physicians, nursing, and all other members of the health care team.

  • Work is performed in all areas of the hospital.
  • Required to carry emergency airway bag weighing approximately 20 pounds.
  • Work requires walking, running, climbing and bending.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Key Responsibilities

Perform diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory procedures, including oxygen administration, airway management, and cardiopulmonary monitoring. Provide patient and family education while ensuring safety and adherence to infectious disease standards.

Requirements

Requires an Associate degree in Respiratory Care and North Carolina state licensure. Must hold NBRC certification and maintain current BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRPS certifications as applicable.

Key Skills

Respiratory therapyEKGPatient educationClinical decision making

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 50 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 78% have no call, 44% require no weekends.

Respiratory Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 3.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Respiratory Therapist Jobs

20 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution16 jobs

4
<$90k
5
$90k-105k
4
$105k-120k
1
$131k
2
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks13 jobs

401k / retirement match
62%
Sign-on bonus
23% this job
CME allowance
15% this job
Loan repayment
8%
Relocation assistance
8% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Respiratory Therapist

Sutter Health · Sacramento, California

$47.68-$66.75/hr
#2

Respiratory Therapist

Northwell · Terryville, New York

$80k-$136k
#3

RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist

$58-$63/hr
#4

Respiratory Therapist 1

$34.2-$55.75/hr
+ 18 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score

Living in Durham

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$363k
Typical market rent
$1,659/mo
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
97.6
State income tax
Up to 4.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Duke Health logo

About Duke Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Durham, North Carolina
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

$20,000 Commitment Bonus
Up to $8,000 Relocation Assistance
BLS Certification
ACLS Certification
PALS Certification
NRPS Certification