Registered Respiratory Therapist
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Houston, TX, 77030
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 29.44-43.79 HOUR
Date Posted : 8 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As a Registered Respiratory Therapist, you will provide care to those suffering from acute and chronic respiratory problems. This care includes treatment, management, control, and diagnostic evaluation of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system.
- Administering therapy modalities which include, but are not limited to, Hand held Nebulizer (HHN), HHN via metered dose inhaler (HHN/MDI), Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV), Chest Physical Therapy (CPT), Pentamidine therapy. Medication administration may be included during these therapy modalities
- Administering medical gas therapy including oxygen and Helium-Oxygen Therapy (HeO2
- Performing ventilation therapies, including maintenance and management of life support systems. These therapies are comprised of non-invasive and invasive ventilation therapies, as well as transport of ventilator patients to diagnostic procedures
- Performs physiological monitoring and diagnostic testing including, ABG puncture, bronchoscopy assistance, pulmonary function testing, bedside PFT's, metabolic monitoring, apnea monitoring, transcutaneous monitoring, capnography, and pulse oximetry and sleep apnea assessment.
- Performs specialized procedures which including but are not limited to, CPR, bronchial lavage, transport, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, artificial and tracheostomy airway care, and body mechanics/ambulation. Permanent or temporary assignment may be made to the Pulmonary Function Lab to perform diagnostic procedures to identify and quantify dysfunction by spirometry, gas diffusion, and body plethysmography
- Documenting all patient care Accurately and completely in the required departmental documentation system
- Serve as resource to certified respiratory therapists, preceptor for new employees, and respiratory care students
- May serve as charge therapist in running the shift in absence of the supervisor
Minimum Requirements:
- Completion of respiratory care degree program
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by NBRC and Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner by the State of Texas Medical Board (RCP)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification issued by the American Heart Association
- ACLS Certification issued by the American Heart Association required within 6 months of hire date
POSITION ELIGIBLE FOR $10K SIGN-ON BONUS.*
*Terms and conditions apply
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is an 881-bed quaternary care academic medical center that is a joint venture between Baylor College of Medicine and St. Luke’s Health. Located in the Texas Medical Center, the hospital is the home of the Texas Heart® Institute, a cardiovascular research and education institution founded in 1962 by Denton A. Cooley, MD. The hospital was the first facility in Texas and the Southwest designated a Magnet® hospital for Nursing Excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, receiving the award five consecutive times. Baylor St. Luke’s also has three community emergency centers offering adult and pediatric care for the Greater Houston area.
St. Luke’s Health, now part of CommonSpirit Health formed by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health, has been serving our community since 1954. Operating 137 hospitals and more than 1,000 care sites across 21 states, making our services accessible to nearly 1 in 4 U.S. residents. We proudly provide a vast array of services that help us keep our community safe and healthy.
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Frequently asked questions
Houston’s large medical sector, including facilities like Baylor St. Luke’s, drives steady demand for respiratory therapists. This means job security for Registered Respiratory Therapists is strong, supported by ongoing needs in acute and chronic respiratory care across the city's numerous hospitals and clinics.
Besides the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, Texas employers like Catholic Health Initiatives value licensure through the Texas Medical Board and certifications such as BLS and ACLS from the American Heart Association, ensuring compliance with state-specific healthcare standards.
Managing ventilated patients in Houston’s busy hospitals often requires expertise in both invasive and non-invasive ventilation therapies. Therapists must navigate complex cases, high patient turnover, and coordinate transport to diagnostics, demanding advanced clinical and logistical skills.
Experienced Registered Respiratory Therapists can transition into roles such as respiratory therapy director, clinical educator, or specialized consultant positions, leveraging clinical expertise and leadership skills to influence care protocols and departmental management.
At Catholic Health Initiatives, Registered Respiratory Therapists collaborate closely with nurses, physicians, and rehab specialists. They often lead respiratory care during shifts, mentor junior staff, and support interdisciplinary efforts to optimize patient cardiopulmonary outcomes.
Yes, the Registered Respiratory Therapist position at Catholic Health Initiatives in Houston includes eligibility for a $10,000 sign-on bonus, reflecting the organization's commitment to attracting qualified respiratory care professionals in a competitive market.
Registered Respiratory Therapists in Houston generally earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on experience and certifications. This aligns with the competitive healthcare market in Texas’s medical centers, including academic and community hospitals.
Mastery of arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, and capnography are crucial for respiratory therapists specializing in cardiopulmonary diagnostics. These skills allow precise evaluation and management of respiratory deficiencies and abnormalities.
Therapists tailor interventions by emphasizing immediate life-support and ventilation management for acute cases, while chronic conditions require ongoing therapy modalities like chest physical therapy, rehabilitation, and patient education to maintain respiratory function.
Houston’s traffic congestion and limited public transit options near the Texas Medical Center make commuting a significant factor. Respiratory therapists often plan shifts around peak hours or utilize carpooling and nearby housing to reduce travel stress.