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Palomar Health
Escondido, California

Respiratory Therapist-Pulmonology

Respiratory TherapistNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$37.96-$53.15/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 28m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Department: Pulmonary-EPSS CIT 2125

Union

Shift: 8-hour Shift - Day (United States of America)

Hours Per Pay Period

80

Salary Range

$37.96 - $53.15

Job Description

Pay Range: $37.96-$53.15

Job Summary

As a respiratory therapist you will provide a wide range of treatments to people who have cardiopulmonary, or breathing, problems. The therapist may consult with other health practitioners to develop patient care plans, provide complex therapies, evaluate and examine patients.

Job Duties

Meets patient's goals and needs and provides quality care by conducting pulmonary function tests; assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining respiratory therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians and by prescription.

Evaluates effects of respiratory therapy treatment plan by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending adjustments and modifications.

Encourages patients to self-manage health, e. g. promote healthy behavior changes, motivational interviewing, etc. Assures continuation of therapeutic plan by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.

Has proactive role in patient population management. Ensures coordination of care, e. g. referral tracking, communication with hospitals about a patients stay, etc. Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records.

Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.

Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.

Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

Complies with federal, state, and local legal and certification requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Actively participates in quality improvement activities. The above is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of essential functions for the job described, but rather a general description of some of the responsibilities necessary to carry out the duties of this position.

Excellent verbal, analytical, written and interpersonal communication skills. Skilled in exercising independent judgment. Skilled in establishing and maintaining working relationships with staff and physicians.

Devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment. Emergency care, including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.

Must possess the personal characteristics of professionalism, credibility, commitment to high standards, innovation, discriminating judgment, and accountability.

Job Requirements

Minimum Education

  • Completion of Two (2) year advance practice RT Education Program/AS Degree
  • Preferred Education: Not Applicable
  • Minimum Experience: 0-6 months related experience
  • Preferred Experience: Not Applicable
  • Required License: Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) issued by the state of California
  • Preferred License: Not Applicable

Required Certification

  • American Heart Association recognized BLS – Heartsaver, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
  • Preferred Certification: Not Applicable

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, gender, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Key Responsibilities

The respiratory therapist provides cardiopulmonary treatments, evaluates patient progress, and develops comprehensive respiratory care plans in consultation with physicians. They also manage equipment maintenance, document patient services, and educate patients on self-management and home exercise programs.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an Associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program and possess a valid Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license in California. Additionally, the role requires American Heart Association BLS certification and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials.

Key Skills

Pulmonary function testingPatient care planningMechanical ventilationAerosol therapyPatient assessmentDocumentationCritical thinking

Pulmonology Career Context

Of the 40 active Respiratory Therapist listings this role was benchmarked against, 43% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$95k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $86k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Respiratory Therapist by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score5.1 / 10 · top 25% in respiratory therapyranked against 4,098 Respiratory Therapy listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$79k–$111kRespiratory Therapist median $94k (middle half $79k–$114k)73 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$86k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Respiratory Therapist listings in California201 active4,075 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 43% no call · 60% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (4,098 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

22 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

22 jobs · 15 employers
5
<$85k
3
$85k-95k
5
$95k-105k
4
$105k-115k
5
$115k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

18 jobs · 15 employers
401k / retirement match
94%
Sign-on bonus
44%
Loan repayment
22%
PSLF eligible
17%
Relocation assistance
11%

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 (RT), Cardiopulmonary Rehab - Full Time (36hrs/week), Egg Harbor Township

$36.14-$56.23/hr
#4

Respiratory Therapist - Providence Kodiak Island

$37.08-$55.62/hr
+ 20 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 5.1
Better work-life than 80% of Respiratory Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,098 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
Palomar Health logo

About Palomar Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Poway, CA
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Continuing Education
Professional Development

Living in Escondido

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$800k
Typical market rent
$2,590/mo
Residents’ average commute
28 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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