The Vital Role of a Respiratory Therapist at UofL Health

Respiratory therapists help patients breathe better.

Respiratory therapists assess, diagnose and treat respiratory health conditions to help patients have the best possible outcomes. To evaluate lung function and identify abnormalities, respiratory therapists perform diagnostic tests, including pulmonary function tests. Working collaboratively with physicians and additional health care providers, respiratory therapists create detailed treatment plans that meet the needs of each patient.

During the second year of respiratory therapy school, you can apply for a Respiratory Care Practitioner-Student mandatory certification to work PRN at UofL Health – UofL Hospital or UofL Health – Jewish Hospital to gain valuable experience.

The American Association for Respiratory Care has resources and videos to help you learn more about the role of a respiratory therapist.  The Kentucky Board of Respiratory Therapy has information about how to apply for, verify or reinstate a respiratory therapy license.

Who Should Become a Respiratory Therapist?

You should become a respiratory therapist if you have:

  • Compassion: the ability to act with sensitivity and empathy in every encounter we have with our patients, their families and each other
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Dexterity: skill in performing tasks, especially with your hands
  • Adaptability: the ability to handle different situations and unexpected challenges
  • The ability to handle high-stress situations
  • Customer service skills: calming anxious patients and family members

Why Become a Respiratory Therapist?

  • Great outlook and job security
    • The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the field of respiratory therapy is growing very fast and is among the quickest-growing jobs in the country. The BLS predicted that there will be 13% more job opportunities for respiratory therapists by 2032.
    • Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
    • About 8,200 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
  • Stable income
  • Flexible hours
  • Job satisfaction
  • Respiratory therapists provide crucial services for patients in multiple health care settings
  • Workplace variety
  • Exciting career advancement
  • Interact with patients
Respiratory Therapist/Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapists work in all areas of the hospitals, including the emergency department (ED), intensive care unit (ICU), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and general medical/surgical floors. Respiratory Therapists manage mechanical ventilation as well as asses, diagnose and treat respiratory health conditions to help patients have the best possible outcomes. To evaluate lung function and identify abnormalities, respiratory therapists perform diagnostic tests, including pulmonary function tests. Working collaboratively with physicians and additional health care providers, respiratory therapists create detailed treatment plans that meet the needs of each patient.

As a first-year respiratory therapy student, you can apply to be a respiratory therapy apprentice. As an apprentice, you will learn to clean, disinfect, set-up and troubleshoot respiratory therapy equipment and assist with stock. In addition to that, you have the unique opportunity to shadow respiratory therapists throughout the day and experience the different aspects of respiratory therapy at UofL Health. This experience is intended to enhance your education by giving you a more in-depth understanding of being a respiratory therapist in our community.

During the second year of respiratory therapy school, you can apply for a Respiratory Care Practitioner-Student mandatory certification to work PRN at UofL Health – UofL Hospital or UofL Health – Jewish Hospital to gain valuable experience.

To learn more about becoming a respiratory therapy apprentice, contact us here.

Respiratory Therapists

Join the UofL Health and enjoy free tuition to University of Louisville for you and your family.

Now Hiring Respiratory Therapists

  • Competitive pay and benefits
  • Paid vacation, sick days and holidays
  • Medical benefits starting at $150 per month
  • 401K with employer match
ULH Respiratory Therapy

Now, joining the UofL Health family is more rewarding than ever. Along with our other incredible benefits, including robust health care plans for families as low as $150 per month, we are providing every employee and their immediate family members free tuition to University of Louisville.

We believe in investing in even brighter futures. So, while other families are saving for college tuition, your UofL Health family has it covered.

How No Cost Tuition Works

  • Full and part-time exempt and non-exempt employees are eligible to receive free tuition. Their domestic partners, spouses and dependent children are also eligible to use this benefit.
  • This program covers all undergraduate programs at University of Louisville.
  • Participants will have tuition and student activity fees paid by UofL Health at the rate of an in-state resident student upon enrollment of a given semester.

Grow Your Career at UofL Health

We not only offer low-cost health insurance options, competitive pay and sign-on bonuses for select roles but also strongly believe in seeing you grow in your career. As an academic health system, UofL Health believes in strengthening the careers of our employees. The nature of our organization allows for opportunity and professional development.

Learn More About Opportunities at UofL Health

All information will be kept confidential and not shared with your current employer.