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Kindred Healthcare
Santa Ana, California

Respiratory Therapist - Per Diem Nights

Respiratory TherapistPer Diem

Listed compensation

$28.56-$36.22/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 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Kindred Hospital Santa Ana is a 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. We are conveniently located between the Santa Ana Freeway I-5 and Santiago Creek and the close to many shops and restaurants.

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.

Education

Respiratory Therapy education as required for attainment of credentialling by the National Board for Respiratory Care

  • Licenses/Certifications
  • Current Respiratory Therapy license from the appropriate state licensing body.

Current Certified, Registered Respiratory Therapist (CRT or RRT) credential or Respiratory Care Practitioner Certification in compliance with the National Board for Respiratory Care Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).

Current BLS and ACLS certifications.

Experience

  • 1 year experience preferred.
  • Pay Range: $28.56 - $36.22/Hour

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.

Key Responsibilities

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

Requirements

Candidates must hold a current Respiratory Therapy license and possess either a CRT or RRT credential. Additionally, current BLS and ACLS certifications are required, with one year of experience preferred.

Key Skills

Tracheostomy careArterial blood gas samplingPatient educationEmergency response

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 40 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 63% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

Respiratory Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 3.3% 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 ~$67k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $61k 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

29 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution23 jobs

5
<$90k
10
$90k-105k
5
$105k-120k
1
$131k
2
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks19 jobs

401k / retirement match
58% this job
CME allowance
26%
Sign-on bonus
16%
Relocation assistance
16%
Loan repayment
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Respiratory Therapist - per diem, day shiftPer Diem

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$39.59-$58.83/hr
#2

Respiratory Therapist II PRNPer Diem

Sentara Health · South Boston, Virginia

$37.61-$55.27/hr
#3

Respiratory Therapist

$38-$44/hr
#4

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$35-$42/hr
+ 27 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score

Living in Santa Ana

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$882k
Typical market rent
$2,812/mo
Residents’ average commute
25 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 Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k)
FSA/HSA
Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
Wellness Program