Respiratory Therapist I
Listed compensation
$49.17-$60.55/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 1946, Dignity Health - French Hospital Medical Center is a 112-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. Serving over 150,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a family birthing center.
Additionally, French Hospital Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has achieved an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for every reporting period since 2012.
One Community. One Mission. One California
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As a Respiratory Therapist, you will join an established team of RTs who share your passion for delivering highly specialized cardiopulmonary care to patients experiencing breathing issues.
You'll be instrumental in providing a range of treatments from breathing techniques and nebulizer treatments to ventilator management, oxygen therapies, and external ventilation support.
Every day you will apply your keen assessment skills and critical thinking to manage diverse patient needs, develop and execute effective care plans, and ensure calm, focused intervention in both routine and emergent situations.
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate a strong sense of urgency, unwavering calm under pressure, and the ability to anticipate outcomes. Your dedication to patient well-being and exceptional problem-solving abilities will drive success in this vital role.
In keeping with French Hospital Medical Center's health care philosophy, the Respiratory Care Practitioner provides care, treatment and rehabilitation to patients with pulmonary disorders by means of respiratory therapy.
Respiratory Care Practitioners have knowledge of pharmacy, anatomy, and physiology and make judgments in consultation with a physician and other members of the health care team with regard to the respiratory care that patients receive.
Provides respiratory care to patients of all ages.
Demonstrates proficient technical skills in the performance of respiratory therapies.
Demonstrates a working knowledge of current trends in respiratory therapies; specialty technical standards, equipment supplies; safety principles and practices. Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
- Establishes effective working relationships with other departments, medical staff, and co-workers
- Job Requirements
- Required
- Experience managing trauma and emergency situations
- Individuals with lessthan one-year experience will beconsidered on an individual basis
- Associates Degree
- California Respiratory Care Practitioner, upon hire and
- American Heart Association certifications within 6 months
- BLS-CPR
- ACLS
- PALS
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program, within 6 - months
- Preferred
- One-year experience in an acute care hospital
Key Responsibilities
The Respiratory Therapist provides specialized cardiopulmonary care, including ventilator management, oxygen therapy, and nebulizer treatments for patients of all ages. They are responsible for assessing patient needs, developing care plans, and providing effective interventions in both routine and emergent clinical situations.
Requirements
Candidates must hold an Associate Degree and a California Respiratory Care Practitioner license. The role requires certifications in BLS-CPR, ACLS, PALS, and Neonatal Resuscitation, with experience in trauma and emergency situations preferred.
Certifications
Key Skills
Respiratory Therapy Career Context
Of the 40 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% have no call, 57% 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 | $102k–$126k | Respiratory Therapy median $94k (middle half $79k–$109k)67 comparable listings, Nov 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 | 195 active | 3,977 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 40% no call · 57% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California healthcare professional listings: 6% state a sign-on bonus (median $1k) · 7% offer loan repayment202 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Respiratory Therapy listings | 1,298 in the last 30 days | 715 the 30 days before (+82%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
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