Respiratory Care Practitioner
Company : Centinela Hospital Medical Center
Location : Inglewood, CA, 90301
Job Type : Contractor
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Overview
At Centinela Hospital Medical Center, our dedicated team of professionals are committed to our core values of quality, compassion, and community. As a member of Prime Healthcare, a Top-15 hospital system in the United States, Centinela Hospital Medical Center is actively seeking new members to join its award-winning team!
Centinela Hospital Medical Center has been serving the communities of Inglewood and the wider Los Angeles area for 100 years. An award-winning facility, ranking in the top 5% nationally for quality and patient safety, Centinela Hospital is a 362-bed acute-care hospital with a 24-hour STEMI certified emergency department and primary stroke center, orthopedic care, advanced cardiac services, critical care services, inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, and more. Centinela has earned hundreds of national awards and recognitions, including "100 Top Hospital" recognition from Fortune/Merative and straight 'A's (2018-2024) for hospital safety from The Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit www.centinelamed.com.
Responsibilities
Promotes healing of acutely ill patients whose cardiac or pulmonary systems have been compromised through illness or injury through the provision of respiratory care, diagnostic testing, providing for the psycho-social needs of the patient, and patient education. Encourages and enhances the progression and efficient operation of the Cardiopulmonary Services Department. Treats patients from newborn, pediatrics, adolescents, young, middle, and older adults. When requested, assists day-to-day operations of the Cardiopulmonary Department, referring out-of-the –ordinary issues to the Manager and/or Medical Director, as appropriate. Provides diagnostic testing to the patient to help optimize the total care given. Performs arterial punctures for blood gas analysis; knowledge in the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and quality control of ABG analyzers. Abilities to use mechanical ventilators, bi-level ventilation equipment, peak flow meters, ability to perform respiratory assessment.
Qualifications
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING
Pay Transparency
Centinela Hospital Medical Center offers competitive compensation and the current compensation range for this role is $40.00 to $40.00. Benefits may vary based on collective bargaining agreement requirements and/or the employment status. The exact starting compensation to be offered will be determined at the time of selecting an applicant for hire, in which a wide range of factors will be considered, including but not limited to, skillset, years of applicable experience, education, credentials and licensure.
Employment Status
Per DiemShift
VariableEqual Employment Opportunity
Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Company prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (subject to applicable law), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Know Your Rights: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf
Privacy Notice
Privacy Notice for California Applicants: https://www.primehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Notice-at-Collection-and-Privacy-Policy-for-California-Job-Applicants.pdf
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in addition to the valid California respiratory care practitioner license, certifications such as BCLS and PALS within three months of hire are essential. ACLS is recommended, and NICU practitioners should hold current NRP certification, reflecting the specialized demands of respiratory care in the Inglewood healthcare environment.
Given Centinela Hospital Medical Center’s reputation and the broader LA healthcare demand, respiratory care practitioner roles are moderately competitive. Candidates with advanced certifications and hands-on experience with mechanical ventilators and arterial blood gas analysis tend to stand out in this dynamic regional job market.
Respiratory care practitioners perform comprehensive tasks including diagnostic testing and mechanical ventilation management, which typically exceed the scope of assistants. Unlike respiratory specialists who may focus on consultation, practitioners deliver direct, hands-on patient respiratory therapy across all age groups, from newborns to geriatrics.
In an acute-care hospital such as Centinela, practitioners tackle critical care cases involving life-support technologies and emergency respiratory interventions. Outpatient settings usually emphasize routine assessments and rehabilitation, making the hospital environment more fast-paced and requiring advanced technical expertise and quick decision-making.
Starting as a respiratory care practitioner in Inglewood opens pathways to supervisory or managerial roles, such as respiratory therapy manager or clinical specialist positions. Opportunities also include specializing in neonatal or pediatric care, or progressing into consultant roles, especially within large hospital systems like Prime Healthcare.
Centinela Hospital Medical Center offers a high-quality, award-winning environment emphasizing patient safety and professional development. Their commitment to comprehensive cardiopulmonary services and continuous quality improvement provides respiratory practitioners with exposure to advanced technologies and varied patient populations in a respected hospital system.
The posted salary for this role is a flat $40.00 per hour, reflecting competitive pay aligned with local market standards. However, actual starting pay considers experience, credentials, and licensure. Benefits and compensation packages may also vary according to collective bargaining agreements or employment status.
Inglewood's location within the LA metro area means traffic congestion can impact commute times. Practitioners often plan travel outside peak rush hours or utilize public transit options. The hospital's accessibility from various neighborhoods makes it a viable workplace for professionals residing throughout Los Angeles County.
Centinela's respiratory care practitioners address a broad spectrum of pulmonary and cardiac challenges prevalent in the local population. Their work includes acute interventions and patient education tailored to community-specific health profiles, reinforcing the hospital’s mission of compassionate, quality care in Inglewood.
While both roles require licensure, a respiratory care practitioner in California often embodies a broader, licensed scope involving diagnostic testing and mechanical ventilation, whereas registered respiratory therapists may focus more narrowly on therapy delivery. Terminology can overlap, but practitioners typically have wider clinical responsibilities.