5 free templates for small clinics. Download as DOCX or copy-paste.
The respiratory therapist job description looks simple until you notice how much the role changes by setting. A therapist running overnight sleep studies, one visiting patients at home to set up oxygen, and one leading daytime pulmonary rehab sessions all share the title but do very different work. Most templates online are written for large hospitals, where most respiratory therapists work, which leaves a small clinic, home health agency, or sleep center with a posting that does not fit.
At FirstHR, we build for small businesses that hire without an HR department, and small healthcare practices are squarely in that group: an owner or clinical manager writes the posting and runs the whole hire. The five templates below are built for small practices, not enterprise hospitals: a general version, a registered (RRT) version, and three setting-specific versions for home health, outpatient rehab, and sleep clinics. Fill in the brackets and post. For the principles behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description covers the fundamentals.
TL;DR
Five free respiratory therapist job description templates: General, Registered (RRT), Home Health / DME, Outpatient Pulmonary Rehab, and Sleep Clinic. Built for small practices, not hospitals. Respiratory therapists had a median wage of $80,450 (BLS, May 2024), need an NBRC credential and a state license in nearly every state, and an associate degree minimum, with 12% projected job growth through 2034.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
A respiratory therapist assesses, treats, and cares for patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders, examining patients, running diagnostic tests, delivering treatments, operating respiratory equipment, educating patients, and documenting care under physician direction. The federal data maps the role to respiratory therapists (SOC 29-1126), a licensed healthcare occupation.
For the employer writing the posting, the key point is that the daily work depends on the setting. A home health therapist drives to patients and sets up home oxygen; an outpatient rehab therapist runs pulmonary function tests and rehab sessions; a sleep clinic therapist runs overnight studies and PAP titration. The five templates on this page split by setting and credential so the summary and duties match the actual job rather than a generic hospital role.
Respiratory Therapist Duties and Responsibilities
Respiratory therapist duties center on assessment and diagnostics, treatment, patient education, and documentation and compliance. The setting shifts the emphasis, home visits for one role, overnight studies for another, but these four categories hold across nearly every respiratory care role. These are the duties grouped the way the templates use them.
Assessment and diagnostics
Examine patients with breathing disorders
Perform pulmonary function tests
Monitor patient response to treatment
Treatment
Deliver respiratory treatments and oxygen
Set up and operate respiratory equipment
Adjust care plans under physician direction
Patient education
Teach patients and families on therapy
Train on home or PAP equipment
Support condition self-management
Documentation and compliance
Document assessments and treatments
Follow HIPAA and infection control
Maintain accurate patient records
A strong posting grounds these in your specifics: the setting, the schedule, the equipment, and who the therapist reports to. For a structured way to scope any role before posting, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by your care setting and the credential level you need. All five share the same skeleton, but each emphasizes the duties, schedule, and requirements that fit a specific kind of respiratory care role. Use this guide to choose.
General RT
Any small practice
The universal version for any clinic or practice hiring a licensed respiratory therapist. Assess patients, deliver treatments, operate equipment, and document care. Start here and adapt.
Registered (RRT)
Advanced credential
For an advanced hire holding the RRT credential. Adds complex case management, advanced diagnostics, and mentoring. Use when you need a senior respiratory therapist.
Home Health / DME
In-home visits
For home health agencies and equipment providers. Adds in-home visits, home oxygen and ventilator setup, a driving requirement, and equipment lifting. Field-based work.
Outpatient Rehab
Daytime clinic
For outpatient pulmonary rehab clinics. Adds pulmonary function testing, rehab sessions, and COPD and asthma education. Often a daytime, no-nights schedule, a recruiting selling point.
Sleep Clinic
Overnight studies
For sleep disorder clinics and labs. Adds overnight sleep studies, CPAP and BiPAP titration, study scoring, and PAP therapy setup. Requires night-shift availability.
Start With Your Setting
Two questions pick the template. First, what setting? Home Health for in-home visits, Outpatient Rehab for daytime pulmonary rehab, Sleep Clinic for overnight studies, or General for any small practice. Second, what credential level? Use the General template when a CRT is enough, or the Registered (RRT) template when you need the advanced credential. Then state the exact NBRC credential, state license, and certifications your role requires.
Download all five as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: job summary, key responsibilities, required and preferred qualifications, and compensation and how to apply, with an EEO statement included. Fill in the brackets before you post.
Download All 5 Job Description Templates
General, registered (RRT), home health, outpatient rehab, and sleep clinic. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: General Respiratory Therapist
The universal version for any clinic or practice hiring a licensed respiratory therapist. Assess patients, deliver treatments, operate equipment, and document care. Start here and adapt to your setting.
Respiratory Therapist Job Description (General)
RESPIRATORY THERAPIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Department: Respiratory Care
Reports to: [Medical Director / RT Supervisor / Clinic Manager]
Employment type: Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly) or Exempt (salaried)
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences: the kind of care your practice provides, the patients
this role serves, and the team this person will join.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a licensed Respiratory Therapist to assess, treat, and
care for patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders. You will
evaluate patients, deliver respiratory treatments, operate and monitor
equipment, and document care, working closely with physicians and the care team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Assess and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary conditions
•Perform diagnostic tests such as pulmonary function testing
•Develop and deliver respiratory treatment plans
•Administer oxygen, aerosol medications, and breathing treatments
•Set up, operate, and monitor respiratory equipment
•Educate patients and families on therapy and equipment use
•Document assessments, treatments, and patient progress
•Follow infection-control, HIPAA, and safety procedures
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program
•NBRC credential (CRT or RRT)
•Active state respiratory care license [where required]
For an advanced hire holding the RRT credential. Adds complex case management, advanced diagnostics, and mentoring. Use when you need a senior respiratory therapist.
Template 3: Home Health / DME Respiratory Therapist
For home health agencies and equipment providers. Adds in-home visits, home oxygen and ventilator setup, a driving requirement, and equipment lifting. Field-based work.
Respiratory Therapist Job Description (Home Health / DME)
RESPIRATORY THERAPIST JOB DESCRIPTION (HOME HEALTH / DME)
Company: __ ([City, State])
Department: Home Respiratory Care
Reports to: [Clinical Manager / Owner]
Employment type: Full-time
Driving required: Yes (reliable vehicle and valid driver's license)
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Respiratory Therapist to deliver in-home respiratory
care and equipment support to our patients. You will visit patients in their
homes, set up and train them on home oxygen and respiratory equipment, monitor
their progress, and document each visit, helping patients manage their
conditions safely at home.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Conduct in-home patient assessments and visits
•Set up home oxygen, ventilators, and CPAP or BiPAP equipment
•Train patients and caregivers on equipment use and safety
•Monitor patient progress and adjust care as directed
•Troubleshoot and maintain home respiratory equipment
•Document visits per agency policy and payer requirements
•Coordinate with physicians and the care team
•Follow HIPAA, infection-control, and safety procedures
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•NBRC credential (CRT or RRT)
•Active state respiratory care license [where required]
•Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle
•Current BLS certification
•Ability to lift and transport equipment (up to 50 lbs)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•RRT credential
•Prior home health or DME experience
•Familiarity with home oxygen and ventilator setup
•Comfort working independently in the field
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $____ to $____ [per hour / per year] [+ mileage + benefits]
To apply, email __ with your resume and credentials.
For outpatient pulmonary rehab clinics. Adds pulmonary function testing, rehab sessions, and COPD and asthma education. Often a daytime, no-nights schedule.
Schedule: Typically Monday-Friday, daytime (no nights or weekends)
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Respiratory Therapist for our outpatient pulmonary
rehabilitation clinic. You will run pulmonary function tests, lead rehab and
exercise sessions, educate patients on managing conditions like COPD and asthma,
and track their progress, helping patients improve their breathing and quality
of life in a daytime outpatient setting.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Perform pulmonary function testing (PFT)
•Lead and monitor pulmonary rehab exercise sessions
•Assess exercise tolerance (such as 6-minute walk tests)
•Educate patients on COPD, asthma, and condition management
•Provide smoking-cessation counseling and support
•Develop and track individualized rehab plans
•Document assessments, sessions, and patient progress
•Coordinate with physicians and the care team
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•NBRC credential (CRT or RRT)
•Active state respiratory care license [where required]
•Current BLS certification
•Strong patient-education and communication skills
•Interest in chronic disease management and rehab
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•RRT credential
•Pulmonary function testing experience
•Prior outpatient or rehab experience
•Patient-education or health-coaching background
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $____ to $____ [per hour / per year] [+ benefits]
To apply, email __ with your resume and credentials.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 5: Sleep Clinic Respiratory Therapist
For sleep disorder clinics and labs. Adds overnight sleep studies, CPAP and BiPAP titration, study scoring, and PAP therapy setup. Requires night-shift availability.
Every strong respiratory therapist job description shares the same core sections, with concrete duties rather than generic ones. The templates above are built around them, but it helps to see the difference between vague and specific wording.
Weak bullet
Strong bullet
Treat patients
Deliver oxygen, aerosol medications, and breathing treatments
Run tests
Perform pulmonary function testing and interpret results
Use equipment
Set up and monitor home oxygen and PAP equipment
Have a license
Hold an NBRC credential and active state license
Teach patients
Educate patients and families on therapy and equipment
Specific, concrete duties attract candidates who understand the work and signal a serious employer. Keep the language neutral and inclusive too, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on protected characteristics. For a fuller framework, the SHRM guide to writing a job description covers the standard sections.
The entry-level NBRC credential, earned after an accredited respiratory therapy program. Qualifies a therapist for many respiratory care roles in outpatient, home health, and clinic settings.
RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist)
The advanced NBRC credential, reflecting a higher level of competency. Many clinical roles prefer or require the RRT. List it as preferred unless your role truly needs it.
State license
Respiratory therapists must be licensed in nearly every state, with requirements set state by state. Confirm your state's rule and list an active license as required where it applies.
BLS, ACLS, and specialty creds
Basic Life Support (BLS) is standard. ACLS, PALS, or NBRC specialty credentials (such as sleep, SDS) depend on the setting. List only what the role genuinely needs.
Decide whether your role needs the RRT or whether the CRT is enough, and list the state license as required where it applies. The NBRC has been transitioning toward a single, updated credentialing examination, so confirm current requirements when you write the posting. Keep the required list to what the role genuinely needs, and put the rest under preferred.
How to Write a Respiratory Therapist Job Description
A strong RT posting takes about fifteen minutes once you settle the setting, the responsibilities, the credentials, and the pay. Here is the process the templates are built around. If you are building out your team, the small business hiring guide covers the steps around the posting itself.
1
Pick the setting and level
General, registered (RRT), home health, outpatient rehab, or sleep clinic, matched to your practice and the credential you need.
2
Write the real responsibilities
List the actual clinical work for your setting, from home visits to overnight sleep studies, not generic hospital duties.
3
State the credentials precisely
Name the NBRC credential (CRT or RRT), the state license where required, BLS, and any setting-specific certification.
4
Set the pay and compliance language
Add an honest pay range for the role and market, and include an equal opportunity statement.
5
Plan credential-heavy onboarding
Set up verification, document tracking, and HIPAA and equipment training so you can move fast once you find the right therapist.
Respiratory Therapist Salary and Outlook
Respiratory therapist pay varies by setting, experience, and location, but the federal data gives a solid anchor for setting a range. Hospitals pay around the median; physician offices and nursing facilities tend to run somewhat lower.
Respiratory Therapist Pay Anchor (BLS)
Respiratory therapists had a median annual wage of $80,450 in May 2024 (10th percentile $61,900; 90th percentile $108,820). Employment is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, with about 8,800 openings projected each year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
The role requires an associate degree minimum, with many therapists holding a bachelor's. These are the most recent confirmed federal estimates for the occupation.
Setting
Pay context
Schedule note
Home health / DME
Around or below median
Daytime visits, driving
Outpatient rehab
Around median
Often daytime, no nights
Sleep clinic
Median plus shift differential
Overnight shifts
Physician office
Somewhat below median
Daytime clinic hours
For setting pay, anchor on the median, adjust for your local market and setting, set an honest range, and state it in the posting, since a growing number of states require it and clinical candidates compare offers closely.
Hiring a Respiratory Therapist for a Small Practice
A hospital hires respiratory therapists through a recruiting team, a credentialing office, and a pay grid. A small clinic, home health agency, or sleep center makes the same hire directly, usually the owner or a clinical manager, and has to handle the licensing and credential verification itself. Here is how to do it well.
Match the template to your setting, not a hospital
Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, so most templates online are written for large acute-care employers with night rotations, ICU coverage, and enterprise HR behind them. A small home health agency, outpatient pulmonary rehab clinic, or sleep center needs something different: the home-visit and equipment work, the daytime rehab schedule, or the overnight sleep-study work that actually defines the job. Starting from a setting-specific version means the summary, duties, and schedule match what the role really involves, which attracts therapists who want that kind of work. The templates here include a general version plus home health, outpatient rehab, and sleep clinic variations built for small practices rather than enterprise hospitals.
State the credentials precisely, since this is a licensed role
Respiratory therapy is a licensed healthcare profession, and the posting should name the credentials exactly. Therapists hold an NBRC credential, either the entry-level CRT or the advanced RRT, and must be licensed in nearly every state, with Alaska the historical exception and requirements set state by state. Decide whether your role needs the RRT or whether the CRT is enough, and list the state license as required where it applies, along with BLS and any setting-specific certification. Naming the credentials precisely screens for therapists who can legally practice in your state and avoids a posting that either over-asks and shrinks your candidate pool or under-asks and draws applicants who cannot do the job. The NBRC has also been moving toward a single, updated credentialing exam, so confirm current requirements as you write.
Plan credential-heavy onboarding before you post
Hiring a respiratory therapist at a small practice means onboarding that is heavier on verification and training than a typical hire. Before you post, plan the steps after the offer: verifying the NBRC credential and state license and tracking their expiration dates, collecting the I-9 and tax forms and state new-hire reporting, and running the training a clinical role requires, including HIPAA, bloodborne pathogens, and hands-on training on your specific equipment, whether that is home oxygen, ventilators, or PAP devices. A small clinic without an HR department needs a simple, repeatable way to move from an accepted offer to a credentialed, trained therapist who can safely see patients, rather than assembling the process from scratch each time.
After You Hire: Onboarding a Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapist onboarding at a small practice is heavier on verification and training than a typical hire, because it is a licensed clinical role. The basics come first: the offer with pay stated, the I-9, tax forms, and state new-hire reporting, plus verifying the NBRC credential and state license and recording their expiration dates. Then comes the clinical training: HIPAA, bloodborne pathogens, general orientation, and hands-on training on your specific equipment, whether home oxygen, ventilators, or PAP devices, before the therapist sees patients independently. For the broader flow, the new hire paperwork guide covers the documents and the training new employees guide covers running orientation with sign-offs.
FirstHR fits this directly: e-signature for the offer, HIPAA acknowledgment, and other forms, document management for the NBRC credential, state license, and BLS or ACLS cards with expiration reminders, training assignments with completion records for HIPAA and equipment onboarding, and an HRIS with an org chart placing the therapist under your medical director or supervisor, all built for small practices without an HR department. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR; today the platform handles onboarding and credential tracking once the candidate signs.
Key Takeaways
The respiratory therapist role changes sharply by setting, so a home health, outpatient rehab, and sleep clinic posting each need different duties and schedules.
Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, so write your posting for your small practice rather than copying a generic enterprise hospital template.
State the credentials precisely: the NBRC credential (CRT or RRT), a state license in nearly every state, BLS, and any setting-specific certification.
Respiratory therapists had a median wage of $80,450 in May 2024, with pay varying by setting, schedule, and location.
The role requires an associate degree minimum and is licensed in nearly every state, with requirements set state by state.
Onboarding is credential-heavy, so plan verification, document tracking, and HIPAA and equipment training before you post.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a respiratory therapist do?
A respiratory therapist assesses, treats, and cares for patients who have trouble breathing or have cardiopulmonary disorders such as asthma, COPD, or sleep apnea. The core work is examining patients, performing diagnostic tests like pulmonary function testing, delivering treatments such as oxygen and aerosol medications, setting up and monitoring respiratory equipment, educating patients on their therapy, and documenting care, all under physician direction. The specifics vary by setting. In a home health role, the therapist visits patients at home and sets up oxygen and equipment; in an outpatient pulmonary rehab clinic, they run rehab sessions and patient education; in a sleep clinic, they run overnight studies and set up PAP therapy. It is a licensed clinical role, so the exact duties depend heavily on where the therapist works.
What is the difference between a CRT and an RRT?
Both are credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), and they reflect different levels. The CRT, or Certified Respiratory Therapist, is the entry-level credential earned after completing an accredited respiratory therapy program. The RRT, or Registered Respiratory Therapist, is the advanced credential, reflecting a higher level of competency, and many clinical roles prefer or require it. For a job description, decide honestly whether your role needs the RRT or whether the CRT is sufficient, since requiring the RRT when it is not necessary will shrink your candidate pool. It is also worth noting that the NBRC has been transitioning toward a single, updated credentialing examination, so confirm current requirements when you write the posting. Listing the RRT as preferred rather than required is often the right call for small practices.
Do respiratory therapists need a license in every state?
Respiratory therapists must be licensed in nearly every state, and requirements are set state by state. Historically Alaska has been the one state without a respiratory care licensure requirement, though that has been the subject of pending legislation and may change, so confirm your own state's current rule when you hire. In states that require it, an active state respiratory care license should be listed as a required qualification in the job description, alongside the NBRC credential. Because licensing is state-specific, it is worth verifying the exact requirement with your state's licensing board before posting, especially if you operate in more than one state. For onboarding, you will want to verify and track both the NBRC credential and the state license, including their expiration dates.
What should a respiratory therapist job description include?
A strong respiratory therapist job description includes a job summary, key responsibilities, required and preferred qualifications, the credentials and license needed, the pay range, and how to apply, all written for your specific care setting. Because the role varies so much by setting, the most important things are to describe the actual work (home visits, outpatient rehab, or overnight sleep studies) and to state the credentials precisely: the NBRC credential (CRT or RRT), the state license where required, BLS, and any setting-specific certification. Include an honest pay range, an equal opportunity statement, and a clear way to apply with credentials. The templates on this page are each built for a specific small-practice setting so the summary, duties, schedule, and requirements all match the real role rather than a generic hospital posting.
How much does a respiratory therapist make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $80,450 in May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent earning under about $61,900 and the highest 10 percent over $108,820. Pay varies by setting, experience, and location. Hospitals, where most respiratory therapists work, pay around the median, while pay in physician offices and nursing facilities tends to run somewhat lower. Location matters too, with states like California and Washington generally paying above the national median. For a small clinic, home health agency, or sleep center, anchor on the median, adjust for your local market and setting, set an honest range, and state it in the posting, since a growing number of states require a pay range and clinical candidates compare offers closely. These are the most recent confirmed federal estimates for the occupation.
What happens after I hire a respiratory therapist?
Once the candidate accepts, the hire moves into onboarding, which for a licensed clinical role is heavier on credential verification and training than a typical hire. The first steps are the offer and paperwork: the offer letter with pay stated, the I-9, tax forms, and state new-hire reporting, plus verifying the NBRC credential and state license and recording their expiration dates. Then comes the training a clinical role requires: HIPAA, bloodborne pathogens, general orientation, and hands-on training on your specific equipment, whether that is home oxygen, ventilators, or PAP devices, before the therapist sees patients independently. FirstHR fits this directly: e-signature for the offer, HIPAA acknowledgment, and other forms, document management for the NBRC credential, state license, and BLS or ACLS cards with expiration reminders, training assignments with completion records for HIPAA and equipment onboarding, and an HRIS with an org chart placing the therapist under your medical director or supervisor. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR; today the platform handles onboarding and credential tracking once the candidate signs.
