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NICU Respiratory Care Practitioner
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Los Angeles, CA, 90015
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Salary : 49.2-60.59 HOUR
Date Posted : 1 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
The role of the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is to provide appropriate respiratory care in an efficient and effective and timely manner. NICU RCPs will have focused responsibility in providing care primarily for neonatal patients. The individual within this position will have age specific training and will be documented within the employee's personnel file.
Job Requirements
- A minimum of two years acute care experience in NICU.
- AS in Respiratory Therapy preferred; BS in Respiratory Care desirable.
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred; strong patient assessment skills, strong communication and interaction skills.
- Current RCP license issued by the state of California required.
- CRTT, RRT or advanced credential preferred.
- ACLS, BLS, NRP* and PALS are required.
*Please be advised that this location requires quarterly American Heart Association (AHA) Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) competency certification post-hire. This ongoing competency is required through resources internal to the facility; outside RQI competency resources are not acceptable for CommonSpirit Health compliance requirements.
This position is represented by SEIU.
Where You'll WorkFounded in 1887, Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center is a 318-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in downtown Los Angeles. The hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II trauma center, the Los Angeles Center for Womens Health, obstetrics and pediatric services, and comprehensive cardiac and surgical services. The hospital shares a legacy of humankindness with Dignity Health, one of the nations five largest health care systems. Visit here https://www.dignityhealth.org/socal/locations/californiahospital for more information.
One Community. One Mission. One California
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Frequently asked questions
NICU Respiratory Care Practitioners specialize in neonatal respiratory support, requiring knowledge of infant-specific respiratory conditions and interventions. Unlike general respiratory therapists, they handle delicate neonatal patients, using specialized techniques and equipment tailored for newborns, making their expertise highly focused within pediatric respiratory care.
Beyond the mandatory California RCP license, credentials like RRT, CRTT, or advanced respiratory therapy certifications boost employability. Additionally, ACLS, BLS, NRP, and PALS certifications are critical for neonatal emergency preparedness, especially in California hospitals emphasizing ongoing resuscitation quality improvement training.
With NICU experience, practitioners can progress to respiratory care coordinators, clinical specialists, or management roles like respiratory therapy director. Opportunities also exist in pediatric home care or consulting, leveraging their neonatal expertise within broader respiratory care domains in California’s healthcare market.
Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes continuous training, including quarterly AHA resuscitation competency. This environment fosters skill enhancement in neonatal respiratory care, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and exposure to diverse cases, which collectively advance clinical expertise and leadership potential.
The position requires bilingual communication skills, preferably English and Spanish, reflecting LA’s diverse population. Practitioners must also adhere to stringent internal certification upkeep, ensuring care quality aligns with CommonSpirit Health’s compliance standards, highlighting a culture focused on excellence and community responsiveness.
NICU Respiratory Care Practitioners in Los Angeles typically earn between $75,000 and $95,000 annually, influenced by experience, certifications, and employer. The competitive healthcare market and cost of living in LA contribute to salaries on the higher end compared to national averages.
Los Angeles shows consistent demand for neonatal respiratory specialists due to its large population and advanced healthcare facilities. This demand translates into stable employment opportunities and potential for career growth within reputable hospitals and specialized pediatric centers.
Candidates should plan for variable commute times given LA’s notorious traffic congestion. Proximity to downtown and flexible scheduling may alleviate stress, but familiarity with public transit options or carpooling can enhance punctuality and work-life balance.
Critical skills include precise patient assessment, neonatal ventilator management, and swift response to respiratory emergencies. Effective communication with families and interdisciplinary teams is vital, alongside bilingual abilities to navigate diverse patient populations.
Local programs integrate neonatal respiratory care modules, clinical rotations in NICUs, and certifications like NRP and PALS. This equips graduates with hands-on experience and knowledge tailored for the complex needs of neonatal patients in California’s healthcare settings.