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NICU Respiratory Care Practitioner
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Northridge, CA, 91328
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 49.3-60.04 HOUR
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
Join the dedicated team at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and provide specialized respiratory care to our most vulnerable patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Respiratory Therapist to function as the primary NICU therapist. Responsibilities include:
- Conducting thorough respiratory assessments of neonates in the NICU to determine their individual needs.
- Developing and implementing comprehensive respiratory care plans in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
- Administering a wide range of respiratory therapies, including mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, aerosolized medications, and airway management.
- Maintaining accurate and detailed documentation of patient assessments, treatments, and progress.
- Performing routine maintenance and troubleshooting of respiratory equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Obtaining and verifying physician orders for respiratory care, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Organizing and prioritizing daily workload, communicating effectively with the shift charge therapist, and other team members.
- Staying current on best practices in neonatal respiratory care through continuing education and professional development.
- Adhering to all department and Medical Center policies, procedures, and Respiratory Care Standards of Practice.
- High School graduate or equivalent required.
- Must have minimum of 1 year critical care respiratory experience in respiratory therapy or minimum 2 years’ experience in a level 2 or greater NICU with competency in neonatal and newborn delivery intubation.
- Current State of California Respiratory Care Practitioner license required.
- Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) required.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification (AHA PALS) required.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) required.
- Fire Safety card required within 90 days of start date.
This position is represented by SEIU-UHW and is covered by the terms and conditions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Where You'll WorkFounded in 1955, Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a 394-bed, acute care, nonprofit community hospital located in Northridge, California. The hospital offers a full complement of award winning services, including the Leavey Cancer Center, a cardiovascular center, stroke center, the Center for Assault Treatment Services, a pediatric medical center, and the only pediatric trauma center in the San Fernando Valley. As a leading provider of compassionate, high-quality and affordable patient-centered care, we share a rich legacy with Dignity Health, one of the nation’s five largest health care systems. We are part of a 21-state network of nearly 9,000 physicians, 62,000 employees and more than 400 care centers. Visit here dignityhealth.org/northridgehospital for more information.
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Frequently asked questions
Working as a NICU Respiratory Care Practitioner at Catholic Health Initiatives involves specialized neonatal respiratory support, requiring expertise in newborn intubation and ventilator management. This role demands close collaboration with NICU teams, focusing on fragile infants, distinguishing it from general respiratory therapist roles.
In Northridge, CA, holding certifications like California's Respiratory Care Practitioner license, AHA BLS, PALS, and Neonatal Resuscitation Program are essential. These credentials align with regional healthcare regulations and reflect a candidate’s readiness to handle critical neonatal respiratory care in local hospitals.
Day-to-day challenges include adapting respiratory interventions for highly vulnerable neonates, managing complex ventilator settings, and rapid response to emergencies. Prioritizing workload while maintaining clear communication with multidisciplinary teams is crucial to delivering effective neonatal respiratory care.
NICU Respiratory Care Practitioners in Northridge typically earn between $65,000 to $90,000 annually, slightly above California's average due to the area's demand and cost of living. Specialized skills in neonatal care and certifications can also influence compensation levels locally.
Catholic Health Initiatives offers a collaborative environment focused on compassionate, patient-centered neonatal care with access to advanced respiratory technology. Their commitment to ongoing education and a large network provides respiratory care practitioners with robust professional growth opportunities.
The organization emphasizes continuous professional development through education programs, access to cutting-edge respiratory equipment, and adherence to evidence-based practices. This support helps NICU Respiratory Care Practitioners stay current with neonatal respiratory advancements.
Northridge's growing regional population and specialized pediatric services have increased the need for skilled NICU Respiratory Care Practitioners. This trend reflects heightened awareness of neonatal respiratory health and expansion of critical care facilities in the San Fernando Valley.
While foundational respiratory therapy skills are vital, experience with neonatal and newborn delivery intubation is typically required or gained through targeted training programs. Candidates often pursue certifications and supervised clinical exposure to meet this competency.
The hospital's location in Northridge offers multiple public transit options and freeway access. However, traffic congestion during peak hours can extend commute times, making proximity or flexible scheduling important factors for respiratory practitioners considering the role.
Many assume the role is limited to basic oxygen delivery, but it actually involves intricate management of ventilators, medication administration, and critical assessments. The position demands advanced clinical judgment tailored to vulnerable neonatal patients’ unique respiratory needs.