Respiratory Therapist II
Listed compensation
$49.3-$60.7/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Where You’ll Work
Founded in 1923, Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center is a 389-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Long Beach, California. Serving over 80,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II Trauma Center, Level III NICU, heart care, and orthopedics.
Additionally, St. Mary Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center and received a Healthgrades 5-Star Award for Heart Failure in 2026. One Community. One Mission. One California
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As our Respiratory Therapist, you will be a vital member of our healthcare team, providing life-sustaining and life-enhancing respiratory care to patients with acute and chronic cardiopulmonary conditions across various clinical settings.
Every day you will assess patient respiratory function, administer therapeutic treatments such as oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, and mechanical ventilation, and educate patients and families on respiratory health.
You will be expected to rapidly respond to emergencies, collaborate with physicians and nurses, perform diagnostic procedures, and ensure optimal respiratory outcomes for our diverse patient population.
To be successful in this role, you must possess advanced clinical competency in respiratory care, critical thinking skills for dynamic patient needs, and an unwavering commitment to patient safety and evidence-based practice.
Demonstrates ability to assess/interpret age-specific data as it pertains to the treatments administered.
Delivers age appropriate care with regards to: - Fluid and electrolytes. Assesses fluid balance in relation to providing respiratory care - Pain identification and recognizing need for pain control and intervention in order to provide treatments as ordered. - Psychosocial: Recognized age appropriate behavior for pain, separation, change in environment in relation to providing respiratory care - Growth and development: Identifies age related developmental characteristics cardiac and respiratory systems as they relate to providing respiratory care - Family/significant other involvement: Recognizes the patient's needs for family/significant other for involvement as they relate to providing respiratory care.
Encourages involvement of patient/family/significant other in decision making related to the delivery of respiratory care
Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve removal of broncho-pulmonary secretions and administers prescribed pharmacological agents in accordance with respiratory policies and procedures and physician orders. -
Performs postural drainage and percussion as set by policy and procedure. - Performs all bronchodilator therapy via HHN, IPPB as per policy and procedure.
Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve adequate artificial and spontaneous ventilation consistent with respiratory policies and procedures and physician orders.
- Job Requirements
- Required
- High School Graduate and/or GED
- One (1) year of current critical care experience
- Respiratory Care Practitioner: CA
- Basic Life Support - CPR
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Certified Respiratory Therapist
- Preferred
- Two (2) years current critical careexperience
- Registered Respiratory Therapist
Key Responsibilities
The Respiratory Therapist provides life-sustaining respiratory care, including mechanical ventilation and therapeutic treatments, to patients with cardiopulmonary conditions. They also collaborate with the healthcare team to perform diagnostic procedures and ensure optimal patient outcomes through evidence-based practice.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a high school diploma or GED and possess at least one year of current critical care experience. Required certifications include Respiratory Care Practitioner, BLS, ACLS, PALS, and Certified Respiratory Therapist credentials.
Key Skills
Respiratory Therapy Career Context
Of the 40 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% have no call, 50% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$114k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $103k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $103k–$126k | Respiratory Therapy median $94k (middle half $79k–$109k)68 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$103k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Respiratory Therapy listings in California | 196 active | 3,923 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 50% no call · 50% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
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