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Kindred Healthcare
Westminster, California

Respiratory Therapist Per Diem Nights

Respiratory TherapistPer Diem

Listed compensation

$29.13-$38.05/hr

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.

Employment & setting
Per Diem
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 6m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Kindred Hospital Westminster is a 109-bed long-term acute care hospital offering the same in-depth care you would receive in a traditional hospital, but for an extended recovery period. We partner with your physician and offer 24-hour clinical care seven days a week so you can start your journey to wellness. For those who need special care, we offer a 16-bed ICU and four negative pressure rooms. Located just outside of downtown Westminster, we are surrounded by restaurants and shops within a short drive.

Job Summary

Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.

Essential Functions

Competent delivery of Respiratory Care procedures in all areas of the hospital as outlined in the Respiratory Care policies, procedures and protocols.

Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture of all Respiratory Care procedures. Develop, document and maintain respiratory care elements of the patient plan of care.

Verify and initiate all physician orders for Respiratory Care.

Demonstrate competency and working knowledge of all Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting, problem resolution and proper disinfection/sterilization.

Initiate, monitor and maintain oxygen/aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.

Perform effective airway management including oral/nasal airway placement, bag/mask ventilation, intubation and/or intubation assistance, emergent and scheduled tracheostomy tube changes. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways. Initiate and perform "CPR".

  • Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube and oral care.
  • Implement one way speaking valve trials per physician order.
  • Assist physician with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
  • Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments with appropriate interventions and documentation.

Perform and document timely Spontaneous Breathing Trial assessments for weaning readiness. Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning per protocol.

  • Actively participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program
  • Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
  • Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis.
  • Perform and document ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance as required.
  • Perform and document patient and family teaching/education.
  • Provide and receive accurate and complete patient handoff reports.
  • Participate in department/hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
  • Notify immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.

Provide timely and accurate updates to healthcare team members and make recommendations for modification to patient therapy as clinically indicated.

  • Assist in orientation and training of new employees/ students, and precept new employees during orientation.
  • Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations
  • Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.

Utilize appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting with all healthcare team members, patients, and their families.

Understands principles of lifespan growth and development with the ability to provide care appropriate for the adult and geriatric patient population.

  • Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
  • Must have good and regular attendance.
  • Must read, write and speak fluent English.
  • Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%25
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
  • Pay Rate: $29.13-$38.05/hr.

ScionHealth has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit-eligible employees that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness.

Education

  • Postsecondary (Cert/Diploma/Program Grad) from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required) Or
  • Associate’s Degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required)
  • Licenses/Certifications

RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or comparable certification in the state of practice Upon Hire (Required) And

CRT - Certified Radiologic Technologist or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential Upon Hire (Preferred) And

  • BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required) And
  • ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required)

Experience

1+ years related experience (Preferred)

Key Responsibilities

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for administering safe respiratory care, monitoring mechanical ventilation, and performing patient assessments. They also manage artificial airways, assist with bronchoscopy procedures, and provide patient and family education.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a postsecondary certificate or associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program. Required certifications include RCP licensure, BCLS, and ACLS, with at least one year of related experience preferred.

Certifications

BLS

Key Skills

Arterial blood gas samplingTracheostomy carePatient education

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 40 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 57% have no call, 53% require no weekends.

Respiratory Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 3.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$70k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Respiratory Therapist Jobs

33 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution26 jobs

5
<$90k
11
$90k-105k
7
$105k-120k
1
$131k
2
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks23 jobs

401k / retirement match
61% this job
CME allowance
26%
Relocation assistance
17%
Sign-on bonus
13%
Loan repayment
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Respiratory Therapist - per diem, day shiftPer Diem

Beth Israel Lahey Health · Danvers, Minnesota

$39.59-$58.83/hr
#2

Respiratory Therapist II PRNPer Diem

Sentara Health · South Boston, Virginia

$37.61-$55.27/hr
#3

Respiratory Therapist - 24 to 36 hours a week

$36.11-$46.39/hr
#4

Respiratory Therapist

$38-$44/hr
+ 31 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score

Living in Westminster

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1,027k
Typical market rent
$2,787/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

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About Kindred Healthcare

Hospitals and Health Care
Louisville, KY
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical
Dental
Vision
401(k)
FSA/HSA
Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
Wellness