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UPMC
Erie, Pennsylvania

Respiratory Therapist CRT & RRT (Multiple Opportunities)

Respiratory TherapistNo weekendsFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Breathe Life into Your Career at UPMC – Hiring Respiratory Therapists!

Various Opportunities | Flexible Shifts | Enhanced Bonus Opportunities

Are you a passionate respiratory therapist ready to make a real impact? Whether you're just starting out or bringing experience to the table, UPMC has a place for you!

Why UPMC?

Because your work matters. And so do you. At UPMC, you’ll join a team that values your skills, supports your growth, and offers a range of shifts and settings to match your lifestyle and goals. We’re committed to your success — from your first day through every step of your career ladder.

What We Offer

  • Multiple shift options – including a Night Shift Program and Weekend Program with premium differentials
  • Career ladder opportunities aligned to your education, certifications, and experience
  • Support to grow from CRT to RRT, with tuition assistance, paid study time, and exam reimbursement
  • We’re excited to offer sign-on bonuses for qualified Respiratory Therapists who join our team:
  • $15,000 for therapists with 0–1 year of experience with a 2-year full-time commitment
  • $20,000 for therapists with 1+ years of experience with a 2-year full-time commitment
  • Sign-on bonuses are also available for part-time positions and will be prorated based on commitment.

Who We're Looking For

  • We welcome Respiratory Therapists at all career stages, including:
  • Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRT)
  • Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT)
  • Senior Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT)
  • Final title and compensation are determined based on your education, experience, and certifications.

Responsibilities

Evaluate Medical Orders: Assess the appropriateness of medical orders and interpret clinical data to optimize patient outcomes.

Operate Respiratory Equipment: Set up and manage devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators. Ensure equipment operates within specified parameters and administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs.

Monitor and Adjust Treatments: Observe equipment function, adjust settings for optimal therapy results, and inspect/test equipment for safety and efficiency.

Patient Transport and Emergency Response: Assist in transporting mechanically ventilated patients and respond to all code situations.

Maintain Patient Records: Keep detailed patient charts with pertinent identification and therapy information. Order repairs when needed.

Training and Supervision: Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees and other healthcare personnel, and supervise students during their training.

Assess and Plan Treatments: Read prescriptions, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to determine treatment requirements. Decide on the best methods for administering inhalants and necessary precautions.

Monitor Patient Responses: Track physiological responses to therapy, perform bronchopulmonary drainage, assist with breathing exercises, and conduct pulmonary function tests. Consult with physicians in case of adverse reactions.

Respiratory Therapist, RRT Requirements

  • Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required
  • Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania required
  • Basic Life Support or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation required

Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRTT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required prior to expiration of temporary practice permit

Respiratory therapists who receive their CRT credential from the NBRC after July 1, 2002 are required to maintain certification under the NBRC requirements

Sr Respiratory Therapy, RRT Requirements

  • Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program
  • In lieu of an Associates degree, must have 5 to 7 years of experience or have an NBRC Certification
  • Two (2) years of total respiratory care experience with a minimum of one (1) year in critical care

Must successfully complete one (1) approved project from the department's project list during each annual performance review period. Project approved within 3 months of hire

Respiratory Therapist, CRT Requirements

Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required OR students who have received a temporary license are permitted to begin employment with approval from the Human Resources department along with their official transcripts.

Basic Life Support or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation required Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRTT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required prior to expiration of temporary practice permit.

Respiratory therapists who receive their CRT credential from the NBRC after July 1, 2002 are required to maintain certification under the NBRC requirements

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT)
  • Osteopathic Respiratory Care OR Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)
  • Act 33 with renewal
  • Act 34 with renewal
  • Act 73 FBI Clearance
  • UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

If you have any questions about the position or would like to discuss the role in more detail, our recruiter is available to assist you and provide more information to help you determine if this opportunity is the right fit for you. To connect, send an email to ogdenj2@upmc.edu and we’ll be happy to schedule a time to speak with you or address any inquiries you may have.

Requirements

Candidates must be graduates of a CoARC-approved respiratory program and hold a valid Respiratory Care Practitioner license in Pennsylvania. Certification as a CRT or RRT from the NBRC and current BLS or CPR certification are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Mechanical ventilationPatient assessmentArterial blood gas analysisAerosol therapyPulmonary function testingPatient chartingClinical data interpretationMedical equipment management

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Respiratory Therapist CRT & RRT (Multiple Opportunities) at UPMC a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Respiratory Therapy — ranked against 3,991 active Respiratory Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 50 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 52% have no call, 56% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Pennsylvania is 97.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.7% of Pennsylvania clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Respiratory Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.0 / 10 · top 25% in respiratory therapyranked against 3,991 Respiratory Therapy listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed paynot listedRespiratory Therapy median $78k (middle half $72k–$83k)12 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost of livingPennsylvania index 97.6US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Respiratory Therapy listings in Pennsylvania191 active4,034 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 2% remote · 52% no call · 56% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repayment$20k sign-onPennsylvania healthcare professional listings: 28% state a sign-on bonus (median $15k) · 2% offer loan repayment198 active listings, Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (3,991 Respiratory Therapy listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Respiratory Therapist Jobs

32 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

22 jobs · 19 employers
10
<$85k
4
$85k-100k
5
$100k-115k
1
$116k
2
$130k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

22 jobs · 19 employers
401k / retirement match
86%
Sign-on bonus
45% this job
Loan repayment
27%
PSLF eligible
14%
Relocation assistance
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Respiratory Therapist – CRT/RRT

Garnet Health · Middletown, New York

$45.05 - $63.70/hr
#2

Respiratory Therapist II

Olympic Medical Center · Port Angeles, Washington

$41.41-$62.92/hr
#3

Respiratory Therapist - Providence Kodiak Island

$37.08-$55.62/hr
#4

Respiratory Therapist

$37.61-$55.27/hr
+ 30 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 6.0
Better work-life than 80% of Respiratory Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,991 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
UPMC logo

About UPMC

Hospitals and Health Care
Pittsburgh, PA
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Sign-on bonus: $15,000 for 0-1 year experience; $20,000 for 1+ years experience (2-year commitment)
Multiple shift options including Night Shift Program and Weekend Program with premium differentials
Career ladder opportunities
Tuition assistance, paid study time, and exam reimbursement for CRT to RRT growth

Living in Erie

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$202k
Typical market rent
$1,098/mo
Residents’ average commute
18 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
91.0
State income tax
Up to 3.1%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Erie, PA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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