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UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Experienced Respiratory Therapist, RRT - UPMC Children's Hospital

Respiratory TherapistIncludes callFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

Bring your respiratory expertise to a place where advanced practice, innovation, and compassion come together every day — UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

As an experienced Respiratory Therapist, you’ll join a highly skilled pediatric team known for its commitment to excellence, collaboration, and life‑changing care.

Here, Respiratory Therapists play a central role in critical decision‑making and high‑acuity interventions, working side‑by‑side with physicians and nurses to support some of the most complex and inspiring patient journeys.

At UPMC Children’s, your professional voice matters and your clinical experience is valued. You’ll have access to advanced equipment, opportunities to mentor the next generation of therapists, and a strong, supportive culture that celebrates the expertise and compassion you bring to the bedside.

Our team is recognized not only for their technical skill, but for the meaningful connections they build with patients and families — a spirit reflected in the way they support one another every day.

Join a department where your experience elevates care, your growth is supported, and every breath you help deliver creates a lasting impact.

  • 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
  • Plus, a limited-time incentive to earn an additional $10,000 upon completion of your third year of employment.
  • Sign-on bonuses are also available for part-time positions and will be prorated based on commitment.

Applicants will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their individual experience, certification and education.

Assists to transport mechanically ventilated patients. Responds to all code situations.

Evaluates the appropriateness of medical orders. Interprets clinical data to optimize patient clinical objectives.

Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information. * Orders repairs when needed. * Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel. * Supervises students during training.

Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes. Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises. Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case. Consults with physician in the event of adverse reactions.

Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication dosages. Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders

Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.

Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients. Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.

Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment functions safely and efficiently.

Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required Respiratory therapists who receive their RRT credential from the NBRC after July 1, 2002 are required to maintain certification under the NBRC requirements

Licensure, Certifications and Clearances

  • BLS or CPR required
  • Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT)
  • Osteopathic Respiratory Care OR Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)

Clearances with Renewal

  • Act 31, 33, 34, & 73
  • UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Key Responsibilities

The Respiratory Therapist provides high-acuity care to pediatric patients, including managing mechanical ventilators and responding to emergency code situations. They also interpret clinical data, perform diagnostic tests, and collaborate with the medical team to optimize patient treatment plans.

Requirements

Candidates must be graduates of a CoARC-approved respiratory program and hold a valid Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license. A Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the NBRC and BLS/CPR certification are also required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mechanical ventilationCritical carePediatric careArterial blood gas analysisPulmonary function testingPatient monitoringEmergency responseClinical documentationEquipment maintenanceMentoringPatient assessmentAerosol therapy

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 50 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 60% have no call, 44% require no weekends.

Respiratory Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 3.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

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).

Top Respiratory Therapist Jobs

26 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution19 jobs

3
<$90k
5
$90k-105k
8
$105k-120k
2
$120k-135k
1
$139k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks16 jobs

401k / retirement match
75%
Sign-on bonus
44% this job
Relocation assistance
13%
CME allowance
6%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Respiratory Therapist

Sutter Health · Sacramento, California

$47.68-$66.75/hr
#2

Respiratory Therapist II

Marian Regional Medical Center · Santa Maria, California

$52.03-$64.05/hr
#3

Respiratory Therapist – CRT/RRT

$45.05 - $63.70/hr
#4

Respiratory Therapist - Providence Kodiak Island

$37.08-$55.62/hr
+ 24 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 3,803 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call

Living in Pittsburgh

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$234k
Typical market rent
$1,545/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
94.7
State income tax
Up to 3.1%
Sources & methodology

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

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

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

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About UPMC

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

Benefits & Perks

Sign-on bonus up to $20,000
Additional $10,000 after third year