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VCU Health

Respiratory Therapist 3 - NICU/PICU - Nights at VCU Health

VCU Health No longer available

Job Description

**Sign On Bonus up to $40,000 available for offers accepted by February 28, 2026. Bonus amount varies based on position and experience level. Terms and Conditions apply.**

The Respiratory Therapist 3 provides safe and effective respiratory care as an advanced Respiratory Therapist for neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and/or geriatric populations in accordance with discipline training, Clinical Practice Guidelines, and hospital standards and protocols. This job provides either (1) respiratory therapy during Labor and Delivery assistance and external critical care transport or (2) ECMO management to patients /=10kg according to discipline training. This job also serves as a respiratory care resource and educator for patients, caregivers, hospital staff and students. This role functions as a shift team leader in the absence of the supervisor.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire: Licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Respiratory Therapist required Current certification or registry from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)* or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) required Current registry from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) if responsibilities include ECMO management required Current CPR certification as required by practice setting Current related credentials from the NBRC or National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) preferred Current ACLS and/or PALS preferred *On or after 1/1/2015, new hires must be current RRT.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment: Current license as a Respiratory Therapist by the Commonwealth of Virginia required Current CRT* or RRT required Current RRT if job responsibilities include ECMO management required Current CPR certification as required by practice setting Current NRP certification as required by practice setting *On or after 1/1/2015, new hires must be current RRT.

Experience REQUIRED: Two (2) years of work experience as a Respiratory Therapist

Experience PREFERRED: Three (3) years of work experience as a Respiratory Therapist. Previous affiliation or work experience in a similar practice setting

Education/training REQUIRED: Education, training and/or experience that has satisfied the eligibility requirements for the National Board for Respiratory Care (or its predecessor organizations)

Education/training PREFERRED: Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program

Independent action(s) required: Cardiopulmonary assessment and monitoring, including during emergency response; airway care; selecting appropriate ventilators and non-ordered ventilator parameters; consulting with physicians and interdisciplinary team members regarding the appropriateness of the patient care plan; and maintaining work areas in a clean and well stocked manner. May include external critical care transports. May include ECMO management. Perform shift team leader role in the supervisor’s absence.

Supervisory responsibilities (if applicable): N/A

Additional position requirements: Depending on work assignment, may be required to rotate shifts, work on weekends and holidays and take call.

Age Specific groups served: As appropriate based on unit assignment.

Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
Physical: Lifting 20-50 lbs.
Activities: Prolonged standing, Frequent bending, Walking (distance), Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive)
Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Able to adapt to frequent change

Nights

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.

Typical mid-level pay: $80k for Respiratory Therapists nationally

National salary averages
Expected mid-level
$80k
Entry
Mid
Senior
Expected
$62k Market range (10th-90th percentile) $109k

Pay increases slowly with experience in this field.

Raises may be modest; negotiate well upfront.

Hot hiring, constrained wages

Employers are hiring actively, but pay hasn't caught up with demand. Focus on competing offers and non-salary benefits.

Hiring leverage
Lean candidate
Wage leverage
Limited
Mobility
Moderate
Durability
Somewhat fragile

Who this leverage applies to

Stronger for: Senior candidates with options
Weaker for: Entry-level candidates, Career switchers

Where to negotiate

Base salary
Sign-on bonus
Title / level
Remote flexibility
Scope & responsibility
Start date / PTO

Likely Possible Unlikely

Does this path compound?

Job Growth →
High churn
Growth, flat pay
🚀 Compound
Growth + pay upside
⚠️ Plateau
Limited growth
Specialize
Experts earn more
Pay Upside →
High turnover market

Many openings, but pay doesn't scale as much with experience.

+12%
10yr growth
Typical: Associate's degree

Good time to build expertise—demand will chase supply.

Labor data: BLS 2024