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Rochester Regional Health
Rochester, New York

Respiratory Therapist - Lead

Respiratory TherapistIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$79K–$103K /yr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting and time off.

Posted 4mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job Title: Respiratory Therapist - Lead Status: Full Time Department: Respiratory Care Services Location: Rochester General Hospital Hours Per Week: 36 hours Schedule: 12-hour, Rotating shifts, Days & Nights, 4-weekend shifts per 4-week block SUMMARY: Provides daily guidance and assistance to staff assigned to clinical areas, including assigning tasks and providing training, monitoring and adjusting staffing levels, ensuring adequate equipment and supplies for assigned areas, and problem-solving as necessary.

May provide leadership for a given shift for the entire hospital regularly; or may provide ongoing leadership for a specific unit with multiple team members for a shift; or may provide ongoing leadership to a specific defined clinical area, including but not limited to critical care, cardiothoracic care, emergency care, pulmonary care, emergency care, long term care, pulmonary lab, home care; or may provide leadership in clinical education including but not limited to oversight of orientation and competency completion, on unit education, and education to medical and nursing staff.

Evaluates respiratory care practices, develops methodologies and implements standards of care, and assesses and addresses patient and staff needs. May provide formal or informal education in the area(s) of specialty, for respiratory care providers and nursing staff.

Will utilize comprehensive knowledge of clinical theory, practice, and new concepts to serve as a resource to others. May participate in research, development, coordination, and facilitation of new concepts, principles, and respiratory care methodologies in the area of specialty or in general patient care. Assists with outcomes assessment and clinical research as appropriate and requested.

Responsibilities

Shift Leadership: Performs charge therapist duties, including leading huddles, managing staffing levels, ensuring equipment availability, supporting team members, and documenting departmental activities.

Clinical Problem-Solving: Identifies and resolves complex patient care issues through analysis, consultation, and collaboration with healthcare professionals. Care Process Improvement: Evaluates and modifies patient care systems and procedures to enhance care delivery and implement best practices.

Staff Guidance & Support: Provides expert consultation and direction to respiratory and nursing staff on patient care, documentation, and treatment planning. Research & Evidence-Based Practice: Engages in clinical research, evaluates findings, and integrates evidence-based practices into patient care.

Required Qualifications

Associate’s degree in Respiratory Care or equivalent certificate 3-5 years of clinical experience in Respiratory Care New York State Respiratory Therapist license with current registration Current NBRC RRT credential is required for all Respiratory Therapists entering the field after 9/1993 ACLS certification (current) required within one year of hire Respiratory therapists employed in non-acute (pulmonary or long-term care) areas are excluded from the ACLS requirement PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy or science related field For lead therapists in a specific clinical area, Specialty Credential, including but not limited to RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, FCCS, AE-C, CPFT, RPFT EDUCATION: LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS: RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist - The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), RT - Respiratory Therapist - New York State Education Department (NYSED)New York State Education Department (NYSED) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: M - Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; Requires frequent walking, standing or squatting.

For disease specific care programs refer to the program specific requirements of the department for further specifications on experience and educational expectations, including continuing education requirements.

Any physical requirements reported by a prospective employee and/or employee’s physician or delegate will be considered for accommodations.

Pay Range

$38.11 - $49.44 CITY: Rochester POSTAL CODE: 14621 The listed base pay range is a good faith representation of current potential base pay for a successful full time applicant. It may be modified in the future and eligible for additional pay components.

Pay is determined by factors including experience, relevant qualifications, specialty, internal equity, location, and contracts. Rochester Regional Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Rochester Regional Health is an integrated health services organization serving the people of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, St. Lawrence County, and beyond.

The system includes nine hospitals; primary and specialty practices, rehabilitation centers, ambulatory campuses and immediate care facilities; innovative senior services, facilities and independent housing; a wide range of behavioral health services; and Rochester Regional Health Laboratories and ACM Global Laboratories, a global leader in patient and clinical trials.

It’s vision is to lead the evolution of healthcare to enable every member of the communities it serves to enjoy a better, healthier life.

Key Responsibilities

Provides daily guidance and leadership to respiratory staff, including task assignment, staffing adjustments, and clinical problem-solving. Evaluates care practices and implements standards to enhance patient outcomes and staff competency.

Requirements

Requires an Associate's degree in Respiratory Care, 3-5 years of clinical experience, and a New York State Respiratory Therapist license. Must hold an NBRC RRT credential and obtain ACLS certification within one year of hire.

Qualifications

Education
Associate degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

ACLS (preferred)

Key Skills

Patient Care PlanningStaff TrainingResource Management

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 40 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 53% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

Respiratory Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.8% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$91k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $84k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Respiratory Therapist Jobs

8 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution8 jobs

2
<$115k
4
$115k-125k
1
$132k
1
$139k

Annual compensation range

#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 (RT), Cardiopulmonary Rehab - Full Time (36hrs/week), Egg Harbor Township

$36.14-$56.23/hr
#4

Respiratory Therapist - Providence Kodiak Island

$37.08-$55.62/hr
+ 6 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 50% of Respiratory Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,768 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Rochester

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$247k
Typical market rent
$1,476/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
97.0
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Rochester, NY metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Rochester Regional Health logo

About Rochester Regional Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Rochester, New York
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Retirement plan