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Links Healthcare
El Cajon, California

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory TherapistNo callPer Diem

Listed compensation

$38-$44/hr

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Join Stillwater Post-Acute as a Respiratory Therapist and create a positive impact in a nurturing environment!

Why Choose Stillwater POST-Acute?

Stillwater Post-Acute, located in El Cajon, is a premier post-acute care facility with 256 beds, dedicated to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care that promotes recovery and enhances residents' quality of life. Our mission is to empower individuals on their journey to independence while helping them achieve their health goals.

We offer a wide range of tailored services, including short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and comprehensive therapy options such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

At Stillwater Post-Acute, we prioritize teamwork and leadership, ensuring that all department heads are accessible and supportive. We offer a variety of educational and hands-on training opportunities to promote your career growth in a collaborative environment that values your contributions. You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals committed to enhancing patient care, with plenty of chances for advancement and a great boss who truly cares about your success.

Position Overview

The Respiratory Therapist role evaluates, treats, and cares for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of the Respiratory Department Head. Respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy Technicians.

Specific Responsibilities, Not Limited To

  • Assesses patients and recommends respiratory therapy treatments.
  • The doctor recommends respiratory therapy treatments.
  • Plans, prepares and administers respiratory therapy treatments including IPPB, aerosol, chest physical therapy, incentive spirometry, and sputum inductions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  • Performs diagnostic pulmonary and cardiac tests.
  • Inspects, tests, maintains and operates respiratory therapy equipment.
  • Responds to “code blue” calls and assists by maintaining the patient’s airway and performs CPR.
  • Instructs respiratory technicians.
  • Patient care documentation is timely, legible, and efficient.
  • Notes are concise, pertinent and meet departmental documentation standards.
  • Oral reporting is clear, concise, relevant, and timely.
  • Utilize resources and materials in an efficient and safe manner.
  • Performs all duties promptly in a competent and caring manner.
  • Present a neat appearance and dress in compliance with the client facilities’ policies.
  • While on assignment, the Respiratory Therapist is responsible and accountable to their assigned patients and to the client institution. The Respiratory Therapist is under the direct supervision of the Department Head or other assigned personnel and must have the ability to follow directions/instruction from his/her supervisor.

Qualifications/Specific Requirements

1. Education: Associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program.

2. Experience: A minimum of 6 months of experience in a skilled nursing facility setting is preferred.

3. License: Current license as a Respiratory Therapist as required by the state of California.

4. Certifications: National Provider BLS or CPR - American Heart Association upon hire

Pay: $38 - $44 (Depending on Experience)

Schedule: PRN

AM Shift: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM

NOC Shift: 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related condition), age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), genetic predisposition or carrier status, military or veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status protected by law.

Key Responsibilities

The Respiratory Therapist evaluates and treats patients with cardiopulmonary disorders by administering therapeutic treatments and performing diagnostic tests. They are also responsible for maintaining respiratory equipment, responding to emergency code blue calls, and supervising respiratory technicians.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program and a current California state license. A minimum of 6 months of experience in a skilled nursing facility is preferred, along with American Heart Association BLS or CPR certification.

Key Skills

Patient assessmentCardiopulmonary careDiagnostic pulmonary testingCardiac testingAerosol therapySputum inductionAirway managementEquipment maintenancePatient documentation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Respiratory Therapist at Links Healthcare a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Respiratory Therapy — ranked against 4,013 active Respiratory Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.

Respiratory Therapy Career Context

Of the 40 active Respiratory Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 45% have no call, 63% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$85k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $77k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Respiratory Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.4 / 10 · top 25% in respiratory therapyranked against 4,013 Respiratory Therapy listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$79k–$92kRespiratory Therapy median $68k (middle half $68k–$68k)23 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$77k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Respiratory Therapy listings in California197 active4,020 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 3% remote · 45% no call · 63% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedCalifornia healthcare professional listings: 6% state a sign-on bonus (median $1k) · 6% offer loan repayment206 active listings, Nov 2026
New Respiratory Therapy listings1,265 in the last 30 days790 the 30 days before (+60%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (4,013 Respiratory Therapy listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top contract/1099 Respiratory Therapist Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

28 jobs · 17 employers
13
<$80k
3
$80k-90k
2
$90k-100k
8
$100k-110k
2
$110k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

22 jobs · 17 employers
401k / retirement match
77%
Sign-on bonus
55%
Loan repayment
23%
PSLF eligible
14%
Relocation assistance
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Respiratory Therapist System Float

MultiCare Health System · Auburn, Washington

$41.44-$68.5/hr
#2

Allied Health: Respiratory Therapist Clinical Content Reviewer (Part-time, Remote, PRN Position)Per Diem

Elsevier · Remote - Nationwide

$55/hr
#3

Respiratory Therapist

$37.61-$55.27/hr
#4

Respiratory Therapist

$35.5-$53.25/hr
+ 36 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 6.4
Better work-life than 90% of Respiratory Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,013 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No call

Living in El Cajon

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$783k
Typical market rent
$2,259/mo
Residents’ average commute
25 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.