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VCU Health
Richmond, Virginia

Respiratory Therapist 3 - NICU/PICU - Nights

Respiratory TherapistIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

Up to $20,000 signing bonus for offers accepted by August 31, 2026. Terms and Conditions apply.

The Respiratory Therapist 3 provides safe and effective respiratory care as an advanced Respiratory Therapist for neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and/or geriatric populations in accordance with discipline training, Clinical Practice Guidelines, and hospital standards and protocols.

This job provides either (1) respiratory therapy during Labor and Delivery assistance and external critical care transport or (2) ECMO management to patients /=10kg according to discipline training. This job also serves as a respiratory care resource and educator for patients, caregivers, hospital staff and students. This role functions as a shift team leader in the absence of the supervisor.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire: Licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Respiratory Therapist required Current certification or registry from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)* or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) required Current registry from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) if responsibilities include ECMO management required Current CPR certification as required by practice setting Current related credentials from the NBRC or National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) preferred Current ACLS and/or PALS preferred *On or after 1/1/2015, new hires must be current RRT.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment: Current license as a Respiratory Therapist by the Commonwealth of Virginia required Current CRT* or RRT required Current RRT if job responsibilities include ECMO management required Current CPR certification as required by practice setting Current NRP certification as required by practice setting *On or after 1/1/2015, new hires must be current RRT.

Experience REQUIRED: Two (2) years of work experience as a Respiratory Therapist

Experience PREFERRED: Three (3) years of work experience as a Respiratory Therapist. Previous affiliation or work experience in a similar practice setting

Education/training REQUIRED: Education, training and/or experience that has satisfied the eligibility requirements for the National Board for Respiratory Care (or its predecessor organizations)

Education/training PREFERRED: Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program

Independent action(s) required: Cardiopulmonary assessment and monitoring, including during emergency response; airway care; selecting appropriate ventilators and non-ordered ventilator parameters; consulting with physicians and interdisciplinary team members regarding the appropriateness of the patient care plan; and maintaining work areas in a clean and well stocked manner.

May include external critical care transports. May include ECMO management. Perform shift team leader role in the supervisor’s absence.

Supervisory responsibilities (if applicable): N/A

Additional position requirements: Depending on work assignment, may be required to rotate shifts, work on weekends and holidays and take call.

Age Specific groups served: As appropriate based on unit assignment.

Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):

Physical: Lifting 20-50 lbs.

Activities: Prolonged standing, Frequent bending, Walking (distance), Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive)

Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking

Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Able to adapt to frequent change

Nights

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran

Key Responsibilities

The Respiratory Therapist provides advanced respiratory care for neonate, pediatric, and adult populations, including ECMO management and critical care transport. They also serve as a shift team leader and educator for staff and students in the absence of a supervisor.

Requirements

Candidates must be licensed as a Respiratory Therapist in Virginia and hold current RRT certification from the NBRC. A minimum of two years of work experience in respiratory therapy is required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

ACLS (preferred)

Key Skills

NICU carePICU careVentilator managementPatient educationShift leadership

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 50 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% have no call, 52% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Respiratory Therapist Jobs

35 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution26 jobs · 22 employers

8
<$90k
8
$90k-105k
7
$105k-120k
2
$120k-135k
1
$139k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks27 jobs · 22 employers

401k / retirement match
85%
Sign-on bonus
44% this job
Relocation assistance
15%
Loan repayment
11%
PSLF eligible
7%

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
+ 33 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 3,866 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Richmond

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$342k
Typical market rent
$1,648/mo
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
97.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Richmond, VA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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