Student Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory TherapistPer Diem

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting

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

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Shifts Available: Variable (Flexible for student schedule)
  • Employment Type: Per Diem (PD / PRN)
  • Location: Riverview Regional Medical Center – Gadsden, AL

We are seeking a Student Respiratory Therapist, sometimes referred to as our Respiratory Therapy Clinical Student. The Student Respiratory Therapist (Student RT) works under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Therapist.

This role focuses on learning and assisting with a range of respiratory care procedures and treatments, providing hands-on experience while maintaining patient safety.

Typically, the Student RT is enrolled in a respiratory therapy program and participates in clinical rotations within the hospital as part of their education. This position is on a per diem basis, meaning PD/PRN as needed.

Responsibilities

  • Essential Duties and Responsibilities (includes, but not limited to):
  • Administer respiratory treatments such as oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, chest physiotherapy or other related respiratory tasks
  • Oxygen Therapy: administer oxygen to patients with respiratory distress or low oxygen levels
  • Aerosol Medications: deliver medications via nebulizers or inhalers to help treat conditions like asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • Chest Physiotherapy: assist in techniques to help patients clear mucus from their lungs
  • Monitor patients' respiratory rates, oxygen levels (using pulse oximeters), and breathing patterns

Assist in the drawing and analyzing of blood samples to assess levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in the blood - Arterial Blood Gases (ABG)

Observe and adjust mechanical ventilators for patients who are unable to breathe independently, ensuring settings are appropriate based on the patient's condition

Enhance your skills on initial assessments of patients with breathing problems, which includes listening to lung sounds and assessing symptoms; report findings to supervising RTs or doctors to adjust treatment plans as needed

Assist with Some Respiratory Procedures, for Example

Intubation and Extubation: assist in the placement or removal of endotracheal tubes, which help patients breathe in critical situations

Suctioning: Help to remove secretions from a patient's airway to maintain a clear passage for breathing

Qualifications

  • Before we go any further, we do have some deal-breakers. You must have:
  • Must be approved with State Respiratory Therapy board to work as a Student Respiratory Therapist
  • Current BLS (AHA) certificate upon hire and maintain current
  • At the minimum, the student must be enrolled in an accredited respiratory program and completed first semester of clinical rotations

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Will not be able to work as a Student Respiratory Therapist if for any reason may become not eligible for an accredited respiratory therapy program

Additional Qualifications That Are a Plus

  • Preferred, is a student who has completed more than one semester and/or other medical experience
  • Full benefits at Prime Healthcare: primehealthcare.com

Employment Status: Per Diem

Shift: Variable

Equal Employment Opportunity

Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Company prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (subject to applicable law), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Know Your Rights: eeoc.gov

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Aerosol Medication AdministrationRespiratory MonitoringPulse OximetryArterial Blood Gas AnalysisMechanical VentilationRespiratory AssessmentLung Sound AssessmentIntubation AssistanceExtubation AssistanceAirway Suctioning

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 50 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 56% have no call, 48% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Alabama is 88.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.3% of Alabama clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top contract/1099 Respiratory Therapist Jobs

33 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution22 jobs · 19 employers

8
<$90k
5
$90k-105k
6
$105k-120k
2
$120k-135k
1
$139k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks25 jobs · 19 employers

401k / retirement match
84%
Sign-on bonus
36%
Loan repayment
12%
PSLF eligible
8%
Relocation assistance
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Respiratory Therapist

Sutter Health · Sacramento, California

$47.68-$66.75/hr
#2

Respiratory Therapist – CRT/RRT

Garnet Health · Middletown, New York

$45.05 - $63.70/hr
#3

Respiratory Therapist II

$41.41-$62.92/hr
#4

Respiratory Therapist - Providence Kodiak Island

$37.08-$55.62/hr
+ 31 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 2.8
Better work-life than 40% of Respiratory Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,866 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Gadsden

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$169k
Typical market rent
$859/mo
Residents’ average commute
21 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
85.7
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Gadsden, AL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Riverview Regional Medical Center logo

About Riverview Regional Medical Center

Hospitals and Health Care
Gadsden, Alabama
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Full benefits at Prime Healthcare