Respiratory Therapist Resume Examples by Level (2026)

Respiratory Therapist Resume Examples That Beat ATS Filters in 2026

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12% growth for respiratory therapists from 2024 to 2034—adding roughly 16,800 new positions to a workforce of 139,600—making it one of the fastest-growing allied health occupations in the country. With approximately 8,800 openings anticipated each year and a median salary of $80,450 annually, competition for top respiratory therapy positions at leading health systems is intensifying. Yet most RT resumes still read like generic clinical summaries rather than the outcome-driven documents that hospital recruiters and applicant tracking systems demand. This guide provides three complete, ATS-optimized resume examples for respiratory therapists at every career stage—entry-level, mid-career, and senior—along with the specific keywords, certifications, and quantified achievements that separate candidates who land interviews from those who disappear into the digital void.

Key Takeaways

• **Lead every bullet with a number**: Hiring managers at high-volume health systems like HCA Healthcare and Ascension scan resumes for 6–8 seconds. Quantified outcomes (ventilator weaning success rates, ABG turnaround times, patient volumes) survive that scan.
• **List your NBRC credentials prominently**: The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care is the industry gold standard. Specialty credentials like RRT-ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist), RRT-NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty), and RRT-SDS (Sleep Disorders Specialty) immediately signal advanced competency.
• **Name your equipment**: Generic phrases like "ventilator management" tell a recruiter nothing. Specify the platforms you operate—Dräger Evita V500, Hamilton G5, Puritan Bennett 840/980, Philips V60/Trilogy, Servo-u—because ATS systems scan for exact equipment names.
• **Match your resume to the unit**: ICU, NICU, ED, pulmonary rehab, sleep lab, and home health each require different skill emphases. A resume targeting a Level I trauma center ICU should read differently from one targeting outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation.
• **Include state licensure and BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP**: Every state requires licensure for practice. Omitting your license number or expiration date is the single fastest way to get screened out by an ATS compliance filter.

What Hiring Managers Look For in a Respiratory Therapist Resume

Clinical Competency with Measurable Outcomes

Respiratory therapy directors want to see that you can manage complex airways, interpret arterial blood gases independently, and contribute to evidence-based protocols that improve patient outcomes. The strongest RT resumes include specific metrics: "Managed mechanical ventilation for a 22-bed medical ICU with a 78% first-attempt extubation success rate" carries more weight than "Provided respiratory care to critically ill patients." Quantify your ventilator weaning protocols, spontaneous breathing trial success rates, and average time-to-extubation. If you implemented or participated in a ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention bundle, state the reduction—"Contributed to VAP bundle compliance increasing from 72% to 96%, correlating with a 34% decrease in VAP incidence over 12 months."

Breadth of Equipment Proficiency

Modern respiratory departments run a fleet of ventilators, diagnostic equipment, and delivery devices. Recruiters at major systems like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins need to know you can operate without a lengthy orientation period. Name the ventilator platforms (Dräger Evita V500, Hamilton G5/C6, Puritan Bennett 840/980, Servo-u/Servo-i, Philips V60/Trilogy 100), diagnostic tools (Radiometer ABL90 FLEX and ABL800 FLEX blood gas analyzers, Vyaire Vyntus and CareFusion SensorMedics PFT systems, Masimo and Nellcor pulse oximetry), and therapeutic devices (Fisher & Paykel Optiflow AIRVO 2 high-flow nasal cannula systems, Philips Respironics DreamStation/System One CPAP/BiPAP, ResMed AirSense/AirCurve). This specificity signals readiness.

Certifications That Demonstrate Specialization

Beyond the foundational CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) and RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credentials issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), specialty certifications dramatically increase your competitiveness. The RRT-ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) credential validates ICU-level expertise. The RRT-NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist) is essential for NICU and pediatric ICU roles. The RPFT (Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist) and CPFT (Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist) credentials, also from NBRC, demonstrate diagnostic testing expertise. The RRT-SDS (Sleep Disorders Specialist) opens doors in the growing sleep medicine market. Additionally, ACLS (American Heart Association), PALS (American Heart Association), NRP (American Academy of Pediatrics), and BLS certifications are table stakes—list them, but don't rely on them as differentiators.

Professional Development and Protocol Involvement

Senior-level hiring managers at academic medical centers and large health systems want evidence that you contribute beyond bedside care. Participation in respiratory care protocol development, ventilator management committees, student clinical education, quality improvement initiatives, and department-level process optimization all strengthen your candidacy. If you've precepted new graduates, presented at an AARC congress, or co-authored a protocol that reduced ICU length of stay, that belongs on your resume.

Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist Resume Example (0–2 Years)

**Sarah M. Chen, RRT** Phoenix, AZ 85004 | (602) 555-0147 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/sarahchen-rrt

Professional Summary

Registered Respiratory Therapist with RRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care and 18 months of clinical experience across medical/surgical ICU and emergency department settings at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. Proficient in mechanical ventilation management on Dräger Evita V500 and Puritan Bennett 840 platforms, arterial blood gas analysis using Radiometer ABL90 FLEX systems, and emergency airway management. Achieved a 91% spontaneous breathing trial pass rate across 340+ ventilator patients in first year of practice.

Credentials & Certifications

• **RRT** — Registered Respiratory Therapist, National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 2024
• **Arizona State License** — RT License #RT-12847, Arizona Board of Respiratory Care Examiners, Exp. 2026
• **ACLS** — Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2026
• **BLS** — Basic Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2026
• **PALS** — Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2026
• **NRP** — Neonatal Resuscitation Program, American Academy of Pediatrics, Exp. 2026

Clinical Experience

**Respiratory Therapist** Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ | June 2024 – Present - Manage mechanical ventilation for 18-bed medical/surgical ICU averaging 12–15 ventilated patients per shift on Dräger Evita V500 and Puritan Bennett 840 ventilator platforms - Perform and interpret 8–12 arterial blood gas samples per shift using Radiometer ABL90 FLEX analyzer, reporting critical values to attending physicians within an average of 4 minutes - Conduct spontaneous breathing trial assessments using the RSBI (Rapid Shallow Breathing Index) protocol, achieving a 91% first-attempt SBT pass rate across 340+ patients - Administer aerosolized medications (albuterol, ipratropium, budesonide, acetylcysteine) via SVN and MDI to an average of 25 patients per 12-hour shift - Respond to 3–5 Code Blue and rapid response events per week, providing emergency airway management including bag-valve-mask ventilation and assisting with endotracheal intubation - Set up and manage high-flow nasal cannula therapy using Fisher & Paykel AIRVO 2 systems for 6–10 patients daily, reducing intubation rates by 18% for moderate hypoxemic respiratory failure cases - Document all respiratory assessments, interventions, and patient education in Epic electronic health record system within 30 minutes of each encounter **Clinical Rotations — Respiratory Therapy Student** HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center | Scottsdale, AZ | Aug 2023 – May 2024 - Completed 1,200+ clinical hours across ICU, NICU, emergency department, pulmonary function lab, and pulmonary rehabilitation settings - Performed 200+ pulmonary function tests (spirometry, DLCO, lung volumes) on CareFusion SensorMedics Vmax Encore system under direct supervision - Assisted with 45+ bronchoscopy procedures, managing airway suctioning, specimen collection, and patient monitoring - Provided respiratory treatments to 15–20 patients per shift across medical/surgical floors, documenting all interventions in Cerner Millennium EHR

Education

**Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy** Midwestern University | Glendale, AZ | Graduated May 2024 - GPA: 3.72/4.0 - Dean's List: 5 of 8 semesters - CoARC-accredited program (#200592)

Technical Skills

Mechanical Ventilation (Dräger Evita V500, Puritan Bennett 840) | Arterial Blood Gas Analysis (Radiometer ABL90 FLEX) | High-Flow Nasal Cannula (Fisher & Paykel AIRVO 2) | Pulmonary Function Testing (CareFusion SensorMedics Vmax Encore) | Non-Invasive Ventilation (Philips V60 BiPAP) | Pulse Oximetry (Masimo, Nellcor) | Capnography | Chest Physiotherapy | Airway Management | Oxygen Therapy | Nebulizer Administration | Epic EHR | Cerner Millennium

Mid-Career Respiratory Therapist Resume Example (3–7 Years)

**Marcus D. Williams, RRT, RRT-ACCS** Houston, TX 77030 | (713) 555-0293 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/marcuswilliams-rrt

Professional Summary

Registered Respiratory Therapist with Adult Critical Care Specialist (RRT-ACCS) credential and 6 years of progressive experience in Level I trauma center ICU, cardiovascular ICU, and emergency department settings at Houston Methodist Hospital and Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center. Specialize in advanced ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and ventilator-associated event prevention. Led implementation of a ventilator liberation protocol that reduced average mechanical ventilation duration by 1.4 days and decreased ICU length of stay by 1.8 days across a 36-bed unit. Managed respiratory care for 4,200+ critically ill patients with a 94% extubation success rate.

Credentials & Certifications

• **RRT-ACCS** — Adult Critical Care Specialist, National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 2025
• **RRT** — Registered Respiratory Therapist, National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 2020
• **Texas State License** — RT License #RCP-38291, Texas Department of State Health Services, Exp. 2026
• **ACLS** — Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2027
• **BLS** — Basic Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2027
• **PALS** — Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2027
• **FCCS** — Fundamental Critical Care Support, Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2024

Clinical Experience

**Senior Respiratory Therapist — Cardiovascular ICU / Trauma ICU** Houston Methodist Hospital | Houston, TX | March 2023 – Present - Provide advanced respiratory care for a combined 48-bed cardiovascular and trauma ICU serving 2,800+ critically ill patients annually, including post-cardiac surgery (CABG, valve replacement) and polytrauma populations - Manage mechanical ventilation on Hamilton G5, Dräger Evita V500, and Servo-u platforms using lung-protective strategies (6 mL/kg IBW tidal volumes, plateau pressure monitoring, driving pressure optimization) - Led implementation of an AARC Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline–aligned ventilator liberation protocol, reducing mean mechanical ventilation duration from 5.2 days to 3.8 days (27% reduction) and ICU LOS from 8.1 to 6.3 days - Perform and interpret 15–20 arterial blood gas analyses per shift on Radiometer ABL800 FLEX system, maintaining a critical value notification turnaround of under 3 minutes in 97% of cases - Manage prone positioning therapy for ARDS patients (average PaO2/FiO2 improvement of 68 mmHg within 4 hours of initiation), coordinating 4-person turn teams for patients weighing up to 180 kg - Administer inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and inhaled epoprostenol therapy for pulmonary hypertension in post-cardiac surgery patients, titrating to target SpO2 >92% and mean PAP reduction of 8–12 mmHg - Set up and manage ECMO circuit respiratory parameters in collaboration with perfusion and ECMO specialist teams for 35+ patients annually - Precept 6–8 new graduate respiratory therapists per year through 12-week ICU orientation program, with 100% retention rate at 1-year mark **Respiratory Therapist — Medical ICU / Emergency Department** Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center | Houston, TX | July 2020 – February 2023 - Managed respiratory care across a 24-bed medical ICU and 72-bay Level I trauma emergency department processing 105,000+ annual ED visits - Performed 500+ endotracheal intubation assists and 120+ difficult airway management interventions using video laryngoscopy (GlideScope, C-MAC) and fiber-optic bronchoscopy - Conducted spontaneous breathing trials on an average of 8 patients per shift with a 94% extubation success rate, using RSBI, NIF, and cuff leak assessments - Initiated and managed high-flow nasal cannula therapy (Fisher & Paykel AIRVO 2) for 1,200+ patients, contributing to a 22% reduction in intubation rates for hypoxemic respiratory failure - Titrated non-invasive ventilation (Philips V60 BiPAP, Philips Trilogy 100) for 800+ patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and post-extubation support - Participated in rapid response team covering 400-bed facility, responding to an average of 12 calls per week with respiratory-specific interventions (bronchodilator therapy, airway suctioning, BiPAP initiation) - Documented all assessments and interventions in Epic Respiratory Care module, maintaining 99.2% documentation compliance rate across quarterly audits

Education

**Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care** University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | Graduated May 2020 - GPA: 3.58/4.0 - CoARC-accredited program (#200451)

Professional Development

• **Ventilator Management Committee Member**, Houston Methodist Hospital, 2023–Present
• **VAP Prevention Bundle Champion**, Houston Methodist CVICU, 2024 (reduced VAP rate from 2.1 to 0.8 per 1,000 ventilator days)
• **Poster Presentation**: "Impact of Protocolized Ventilator Liberation on ICU Outcomes" — AARC Congress 2025, Las Vegas, NV
• **Continuing Education**: 48 CRCE credits completed in 2024–2025 cycle (NBRC requirement: 30)

Technical Skills

Advanced Mechanical Ventilation (Hamilton G5, Dräger Evita V500, Servo-u, PB840/980) | ABG Analysis (Radiometer ABL800 FLEX) | ECMO Respiratory Management | Prone Positioning | Inhaled Nitric Oxide (INOmax) | Inhaled Epoprostenol | High-Flow Nasal Cannula (Fisher & Paykel AIRVO 2) | Non-Invasive Ventilation (Philips V60, Trilogy 100) | Video Laryngoscopy (GlideScope, C-MAC) | Bronchoscopy Assist | Hemodynamic Monitoring | Capnography (Microstream) | Pulmonary Artery Catheter Interpretation | Lung-Protective Ventilation | ARDSNet Protocol | Epic Respiratory Care Module

Senior Respiratory Therapist Resume Example (8+ Years)

**Jennifer L. Okafor, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, RPFT** Nashville, TN 37232 | (615) 555-0482 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/jenniferokafor-rrt

Professional Summary

Board-certified Respiratory Therapy Clinical Specialist with 14 years of progressive experience spanning adult critical care, neonatal/pediatric intensive care, and pulmonary diagnostics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Hold RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, and RPFT credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care. Currently serve as Lead Respiratory Therapist overseeing a team of 42 RTs across ICU, NICU, and pulmonary function laboratory services. Designed and implemented a system-wide ventilator management protocol that reduced unplanned extubations by 62% and decreased ventilator-associated events by 41% across 4 ICUs totaling 96 beds. Published 3 peer-reviewed articles on respiratory care outcomes and serve as adjunct clinical faculty at Belmont University.

Credentials & Certifications

• **RRT-ACCS** — Adult Critical Care Specialist, National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 2019
• **RRT-NPS** — Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist, National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 2016
• **RPFT** — Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist, National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 2018
• **RRT** — Registered Respiratory Therapist, National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 2012
• **Tennessee State License** — RT License #RRT-7291, Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care, Exp. 2026
• **ACLS** — Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2027
• **BLS** — Basic Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2027
• **PALS** — Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2027
• **NRP** — Neonatal Resuscitation Program, American Academy of Pediatrics, Exp. 2027
• **S.T.A.B.L.E.** — Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood Pressure, Lab Work, Emotional Support Program, 2023

Professional Experience

**Lead Respiratory Therapist — Critical Care & Pulmonary Diagnostics** Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, TN | January 2021 – Present - Direct respiratory therapy operations across 4 ICUs (medical, surgical/trauma, cardiovascular, neuro), 62-bed NICU, and outpatient pulmonary function laboratory, supervising 42 respiratory therapists and 8 pulmonary function technologists - Designed and implemented a system-wide ventilator liberation protocol incorporating daily sedation vacation coordination, spontaneous awakening trials, and spontaneous breathing trials—reducing average mechanical ventilation duration from 6.1 to 4.2 days (31% reduction) across 2,400+ ventilated patients annually - Reduced unplanned extubation rate from 3.4 to 1.3 per 100 ventilator days (62% reduction) through implementation of standardized sedation-agitation scoring (RASS) and endotracheal tube securement protocols - Decreased ventilator-associated events from 7.2 to 4.2 per 1,000 ventilator days (41% reduction) through oral care bundles, HOB elevation audits, and subglottic suctioning standardization - Manage a $2.8M annual respiratory therapy supply and equipment budget, negotiating vendor contracts that saved $340,000 (12%) through standardization of nebulizer and circuit suppliers - Established competency-based orientation program for new hires (12-week didactic + clinical curriculum), improving 90-day retention from 78% to 94% and reducing agency staffing costs by $420,000 annually - Coordinate quality improvement data collection and reporting for CMS Core Measures related to pneumonia care (PN-3b: Blood cultures performed in ED) and sepsis (SEP-1: Severe sepsis/septic shock early management), maintaining 97% compliance - Present quarterly respiratory care outcomes data to hospital Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and department directors, including ventilator utilization ratios, extubation failure rates, and cost per ventilator day **Senior Respiratory Therapist — NICU / Pediatric ICU** Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, TN | August 2016 – December 2020 - Provided specialized respiratory care for 62-bed Level IV NICU and 24-bed Pediatric ICU, managing high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (Dräger Babylog VN500, SensorMedics 3100A/B), conventional ventilation (Dräger Evita V500, Servo-n), and non-invasive support (RAM cannula, bubble CPAP) for neonates ranging from 22 weeks gestational age to term - Managed surfactant administration via INSURE (Intubate, Surfactant, Extubate) and LISA (Less Invasive Surfactant Administration) techniques for 180+ premature infants annually, achieving a 92% first-dose success rate - Performed and interpreted 2,400+ neonatal/pediatric blood gas analyses annually on Radiometer ABL90 FLEX, with a critical value turnaround time averaging 2.8 minutes - Coordinated nitric oxide therapy (INOmax) for 65+ neonates annually with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), titrating to target pre-ductal SpO2 >95% and oxygenation index <15 - Developed a neonatal ventilator weaning protocol that decreased time-to-extubation for infants <32 weeks GA by an average of 18 hours, reducing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) incidence from 38% to 29% in VLBW infants - Precepted 12 respiratory therapy students per year through NICU clinical rotations, receiving a 4.8/5.0 average student evaluation rating - Co-authored department protocol for neonatal high-flow nasal cannula use, standardizing flow rates by weight category and reducing practice variation across 3 shift teams **Staff Respiratory Therapist** Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West | Nashville, TN | June 2012 – July 2016 - Provided respiratory care across 14-bed ICU, 8-bed step-down unit, emergency department, and medical/surgical floors at a 395-bed community hospital - Managed mechanical ventilation for an average of 8–10 ventilated patients per shift on Puritan Bennett 840 and Hamilton G5 ventilator platforms - Performed 3,500+ arterial blood gas analyses over 4 years with 99.7% specimen integrity rate - Conducted 1,800+ pulmonary function tests (spirometry, DLCO, lung volumes, methacholine challenge) on Vyaire Vyntus CPX system, contributing to 95% physician satisfaction score for PFT lab services - Responded to 800+ Code Blue and rapid response events over tenure, providing airway management and post-resuscitation respiratory stabilization - Served on hospital Rapid Response Team steering committee, helping redesign early warning criteria that reduced Code Blue calls outside ICU by 23% - Trained 15+ nursing staff members on proper tracheostomy care, suctioning technique, and speaking valve placement, reducing tracheostomy-related complications by 30%

Education

**Master of Science in Respiratory Care Leadership** Rush University | Chicago, IL | Completed December 2019 - Thesis: "Impact of Protocolized Liberation Strategies on Ventilator Duration in Academic Medical Centers" - GPA: 3.89/4.0 **Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy** Belmont University | Nashville, TN | Graduated May 2012 - Summa Cum Laude (GPA: 3.91/4.0) - CoARC-accredited program (#200387)

Publications & Presentations

1. Okafor, J.L., et al. "Standardized Ventilator Liberation Protocol Reduces Mechanical Ventilation Duration in a Mixed Medical-Surgical ICU." *Respiratory Care*, 2024; 69(3): 278–287.
2. Okafor, J.L., & Rodriguez, M.A. "Less Invasive Surfactant Administration: Outcomes in a Level IV NICU." *Journal of Perinatology*, 2022; 42(8): 1045–1051.
3. Okafor, J.L., et al. "Neonatal High-Flow Nasal Cannula Weaning Protocol: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis." *Neonatal Network*, 2021; 40(2): 89–96.
4. **Oral Presentation**: "Building a Culture of Ventilator Liberation" — AARC Congress 2024, New Orleans, LA
5. **Poster Presentation**: "NICU BPD Reduction Through Protocolized Ventilator Weaning" — AARC Congress 2021, Indianapolis, IN

Professional Affiliations & Leadership

• **American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)** — Member since 2012; Section Chair, Adult Acute Care, Tennessee Society for Respiratory Care (2023–Present)
• **Adjunct Clinical Faculty**, Belmont University School of Health Sciences — Respiratory Therapy Program (2022–Present): Supervise 8–10 students per semester in clinical rotations
• **Ventilator Management Committee Chair**, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2021–Present)
• **IRB-Approved Research Investigator**, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2020–Present)

Technical Skills

Advanced Mechanical Ventilation (Dräger Evita V500, Babylog VN500, Hamilton G5/C6, Servo-u/Servo-n/Servo-i, PB840/980) | High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (SensorMedics 3100A/B) | ABG Analysis (Radiometer ABL90 FLEX, ABL800 FLEX) | Pulmonary Function Testing (Vyaire Vyntus CPX, CareFusion SensorMedics) | ECMO Respiratory Management | Inhaled Nitric Oxide (INOmax) | Surfactant Administration (INSURE, LISA) | High-Flow Nasal Cannula (Fisher & Paykel AIRVO 2, Vapotherm Precision Flow) | Non-Invasive Ventilation (Philips V60, Trilogy 100, Respironics BiPAP Vision) | Prone Positioning | Bronchoscopy Assist | Video Laryngoscopy (GlideScope, C-MAC) | Hemodynamic Monitoring | Capnography | Epic Respiratory Care Module | Cerner Millennium

Common Respiratory Therapist Resume Mistakes

1. Writing Generic Job Descriptions Instead of Quantified Outcomes

**Wrong:** "Provided respiratory care to patients in the ICU setting." **Right:** "Managed mechanical ventilation for 12–16 patients per shift in a 24-bed medical ICU on Hamilton G5 and Dräger Evita V500 platforms, achieving a 93% first-attempt extubation success rate across 1,800+ ventilated patients." The wrong version could describe any RT at any hospital. The right version tells the recruiter exactly what you did, on what equipment, at what volume, with what results.

2. Listing Certifications Without Issuing Organizations

**Wrong:** "Certifications: RRT, ACLS, BLS, PALS" **Right:** - "RRT — Registered Respiratory Therapist, National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 2022" - "ACLS — Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2027" - "PALS — Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association, Exp. 2027" ATS systems parse for both the credential abbreviation and the issuing organization. Listing just abbreviations leaves matching points on the table and can trigger incomplete-credential flags in compliance-driven health system ATS platforms like Workday, Oracle Health, or iCIMS.

3. Omitting State Licensure Information

**Wrong:** Not mentioning your state respiratory therapy license at all. **Right:** "Texas State License — RT License #RCP-38291, Texas Department of State Health Services, Exp. 2026" Every U.S. state requires respiratory therapists to hold an active state license. Hospital credentialing departments and their ATS systems screen for active licensure. If your license information is missing, your resume may be automatically disqualified before a human ever sees it.

4. Using "Respiratory Equipment" Instead of Specific Platform Names

**Wrong:** "Experienced with various ventilators, oxygen delivery systems, and diagnostic equipment." **Right:** "Proficient in Dräger Evita V500, Hamilton G5, Servo-u, and Puritan Bennett 840/980 mechanical ventilators; Fisher & Paykel AIRVO 2 and Vapotherm Precision Flow high-flow nasal cannula systems; Philips V60 and Trilogy 100 non-invasive ventilation platforms; and Radiometer ABL90 FLEX blood gas analyzers." Hospital departments run specific equipment. When a respiratory director posts a position requiring Hamilton G5 experience, the ATS searches for "Hamilton G5." If your resume says "various ventilators," you will not match.

5. Burying ABG and Ventilator Metrics in Paragraph Form

**Wrong:** A dense paragraph reading: "I was responsible for blood gas analysis, ventilator management, oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, chest physiotherapy, patient education, and documentation in the electronic health record." **Right:** Separate bullets with one accomplishment each: - "Performed and interpreted 12–18 arterial blood gas samples per shift on Radiometer ABL90 FLEX, reporting critical values within an average of 3 minutes" - "Managed mechanical ventilation for 10–14 patients per shift using lung-protective strategies (6 mL/kg IBW tidal volumes, driving pressure <15 cmH2O)" - "Administered aerosolized medication therapy to 20–30 patients per shift via SVN, MDI, and DPI delivery methods" Paragraph formatting is the enemy of both ATS parsing and human scanning. Bullets with discrete metrics are scannable, parseable, and memorable.

6. Ignoring Specialty Unit Experience

**Wrong:** "Worked in various hospital departments providing respiratory therapy." **Right:** "Provided specialized neonatal respiratory care in a 62-bed Level IV NICU, managing high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (SensorMedics 3100A), conventional ventilation (Dräger Babylog VN500), and surfactant administration via LISA technique for premature infants from 22 weeks gestational age." Unit specificity matters enormously in respiratory therapy. An RT with NICU experience is a fundamentally different candidate from one with adult ICU or ED experience. Naming the unit level (Level I–IV trauma center, Level III–IV NICU), bed count, and patient population tells the recruiter exactly what kind of RT you are.

7. Leaving Out Protocol Development and Quality Improvement Work

**Wrong:** "Followed hospital respiratory care protocols." **Right:** "Co-developed a ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundle that increased compliance from 72% to 96%, correlating with a 34% decrease in VAP incidence (from 4.7 to 3.1 per 1,000 ventilator days) over 12 months." Following protocols is expected. Developing, implementing, and measuring the impact of protocols is what separates a staff RT from a candidate ready for advancement. Quality improvement involvement signals to hiring managers that you think systemically, not just task-by-task.

ATS Keywords for Respiratory Therapist Resumes

Clinical Skills

Mechanical ventilation, ventilator management, ventilator weaning, spontaneous breathing trial, extubation, arterial blood gas analysis, ABG interpretation, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, bronchodilator administration, chest physiotherapy, airway management, endotracheal intubation assist, tracheostomy care, suctioning, prone positioning, lung-protective ventilation, ARDS management, pulmonary rehabilitation, patient assessment, respiratory assessment

Equipment & Technology

Dräger Evita V500, Hamilton G5, Hamilton C6, Servo-u, Servo-i, Servo-n, Puritan Bennett 840, Puritan Bennett 980, Philips V60, Philips Trilogy 100, SensorMedics 3100A, Dräger Babylog VN500, Fisher & Paykel AIRVO 2, Vapotherm Precision Flow, Radiometer ABL90 FLEX, Radiometer ABL800 FLEX, Vyaire Vyntus, CareFusion SensorMedics, Masimo pulse oximetry, Nellcor pulse oximetry, GlideScope, C-MAC, INOmax delivery system

Certifications & Credentials

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Adult Critical Care Specialist (RRT-ACCS), Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (RRT-NPS), Sleep Disorders Specialist (RRT-SDS), Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT), Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT), NBRC, ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP

Specializations

Adult critical care, neonatal intensive care, pediatric intensive care, pulmonary function testing, sleep disorders, pulmonary rehabilitation, home health respiratory care, transport respiratory care, ECMO, inhaled nitric oxide therapy, high-flow nasal cannula, non-invasive ventilation

Documentation & Compliance

Epic, Cerner Millennium, Meditech, respiratory care documentation, ventilator flow sheet, HIPAA compliance, Joint Commission standards, CMS Core Measures, quality improvement, evidence-based practice, clinical protocol development, VAP prevention, ventilator-associated event surveillance

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put my RRT credential after my name on my resume?

Yes—always. The convention in respiratory therapy is to list your highest NBRC credential directly after your name in your resume header. The standard format is "Name, RRT" for the base credential or "Name, RRT, RRT-ACCS" if you hold specialty certifications. This immediately signals your credential level to both human reviewers and ATS systems that parse the header/name field. If you hold multiple specialty credentials, list them in order of relevance to the position: for an ICU role, lead with RRT-ACCS; for a NICU role, lead with RRT-NPS.

How important are specialty NBRC credentials like RRT-ACCS or RRT-NPS for getting hired?

They are increasingly important for competitive positions at academic medical centers and large health systems. While the base RRT credential qualifies you for most staff positions, the RRT-ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) has become a preferred or required qualification for ICU positions at institutions like Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and Vanderbilt. The RRT-NPS is similarly valued for NICU and pediatric ICU roles. According to the NBRC, specialty credentials validate advanced knowledge that the base RRT exam does not cover. From a practical standpoint, holding an RRT-ACCS can increase your hourly rate by $2–$4 at many health systems and places you ahead of candidates with only the base RRT in competitive markets.

What is the best resume format for a respiratory therapist?

Use a reverse-chronological format with clearly defined sections: Professional Summary (3–4 lines), Credentials & Certifications (listed with issuing organizations and expiration dates), Clinical Experience (reverse chronological with quantified bullets), Education, and Technical Skills. Avoid functional or skills-based formats—hospital recruiters and their ATS systems expect chronological work history. Keep it to one page for fewer than 5 years of experience and two pages for 5+ years. Use a clean, single-column layout with standard fonts (Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman at 10.5–11pt) and avoid headers, footers, text boxes, tables, and graphics, all of which can confuse ATS parsers.

Should I include clinical rotation experience on my resume?

If you have fewer than 2 years of post-graduation experience, absolutely. Clinical rotations demonstrate your exposure to different care settings (ICU, NICU, ER, PFT lab, pulmonary rehab) and provide opportunities to include quantified achievements even as a new graduate. Format rotation experience the same way you would format a job: facility name, location, dates, and quantified bullets. As you accumulate 3+ years of professional experience, you can condense or remove clinical rotations to make room for professional accomplishments.

How do I tailor my respiratory therapist resume for different positions (ICU vs. NICU vs. PFT lab)?

Reorganize your bullet points so the most relevant experience appears first within each position. For an ICU role, lead with ventilator management metrics, ABG volumes, extubation success rates, and protocol involvement. For a NICU role, lead with neonatal-specific experience: gestational age ranges, HFOV management, surfactant administration, and NRP certification. For a PFT lab position, lead with test volumes (spirometry, DLCO, lung volumes, methacholine challenge, cardiopulmonary exercise testing), RPFT or CPFT credential, and quality assurance metrics. Mirror the exact language from the job posting—if the posting says "ventilator liberation," use "ventilator liberation" rather than "ventilator weaning" on your resume.

Sources

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Respiratory Therapists." U.S. Department of Labor, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 29-1126 Respiratory Therapists." U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291126.htm
3. National Board for Respiratory Care. "Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credential." NBRC, 2025. https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt/
4. National Board for Respiratory Care. "Specialty Credentials: RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, RRT-SDS, RPFT, CPFT." NBRC, 2025. https://www.nbrc.org/specialty/
5. American Association for Respiratory Care. "Quick Facts — Respiratory Therapists." AARC, 2025. https://www.aarc.org/your-rt-career/why-be-an-rt/quick-facts-respiratory-therapists/
6. O*NET OnLine. "29-1126.00 — Respiratory Therapists." U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration, 2025. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1126.00
7. Nurse.org. "Respiratory Therapist Salary | 2026." https://nurse.org/healthcare/respiratory-therapist-salary/
8. Respiratory Therapy Magazine. "Respiratory Therapist a 2026 'Best Job.'" RT Magazine, 2026. https://respiratory-therapy.com/products-treatment/industry-regulatory-news/business-news/respiratory-therapist-2026-best-job/
9. Supplemental Health Care. "Career Outlook for Respiratory Therapists in 2025." SHC, 2025. https://shccares.com/blog/allied-health/career-outlook-for-respiratory-therapists-in-2025/
10. Dräger. "Medical Ventilators — State-of-the-Art Respiratory Management." Drägerwerk AG, 2025. https://www.draeger.com/en-us_us/Productfinder/ventilators