Respiratory Therapist Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

Figuring out how to write a respiratory therapist resume can be a lot of work. You have to keep an eye on many details to ensure the document shines on its own.

This can be nerve-wracking since your resume determines your first impression. So, if you’re struggling to write up a respiratory therapist resume, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating the document. We’ll also discuss what keywords to use to help you stand out from the crowd.

Respiratory Therapist Resume Examples

A respiratory therapist is a worker whose job duties revolve around breathing disorders. They help people with cardiopulmonary issues using therapeutic techniques.

To do that, these employees need a specific skill set. For example, they’ll need excellent communication traits and bedside manners.

That’s why some people find it challenging to create a respiratory therapist resume. Luckily, this guide can help answer most of your questions.

Let’s take a look at a few different examples of these resumes.

Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist Resume Example

If you’re new to the respiratory therapy field, then this section is for you. We’ll show you what to do with minimal work experience.

There are plenty of details you can add to avoid sending in a sparse resume. Here’s an example of what a respiratory therapist resume may look like.

Objective

Caring and sensitive entry-level respiratory therapist, with exceptional bedside manners. Has excellent work ethic and a thorough understanding of respiratory medical practices.

That includes a variety of therapeutic techniques to maximize patient health and comfort. Punctual with a flexible schedule and the availability to work on weekends.

2022 to present: Respiratory Therapist Intern

• Provided frontline care to patients including therapy and rehabilitation.
• Performed examinations and diagnostic tests according to doctor’s instructions.
• Maintained respiratory therapy machines and equipment on a daily basis.
• Cleaned the clinic and sterilized all surfaces regularly.
• Shadowed a certified respiratory therapist during all relevant duties.

2021 to 2022: Customer Service Representative

• Answered phones and emails to address client queries.
• Recruited new sales associates by completing over 50 cold calls a day.
• Handled tough clients with specific requests.
• Worked with team leaders to create schedules and streamline the workflow.
• Kept detailed notes of all meetings and created to-do lists for employees.

Skills

• Respiratory therapy equipment and tools maintenance
• Data entry on multiple platforms
• Scheduling and record keeping
• Team player
• Detail oriented

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Respiratory Therapy: University of Cincinnati

Licenses & Accreditations

• Red Cross CPR
• Respiratory Therapist Certification
• Clinical Perfusion Certification

Why This Resume Works

This candidate doesn’t have any experience working as a professional respiratory therapist. However, they do have some work history as an intern in the field.

Including this position in the resume comes with a few benefits. For starters, it’ll show the employer that they know their way around a clinic.

Since the applicant won’t need as much training, it should save the recruiter a lot of time, energy, and money.

Other than that, it displays the worker’s initiative. They didn’t wait for a paying position to open up to enter the field.

Moving on, the candidate mentions their previous work as a customer service agent. While this isn’t directly related to respiratory therapy, there are a few skill overlaps.

For instance, handling tough clients and making calls will come in handy for most job duties.

The customer service position also displays the worker’s organizational skills. Thankfully, these easily translate to any field.

Experienced Respiratory Therapist Resume Example

After a few years as a respiratory therapist, you should have plenty of experience to talk about. Luckily, that means you can let your work history speak for itself.

To stand out from the competition, focus on mentioning your skills and traits. On top of that, try to talk about the specifics of your job duties.

Objective

Over six years of experience as a certified respiratory therapist in hospitals. Registered practitioner with in-depth knowledge of treatment methods, principles, and procedures.

Adept at carrying out tests and creating treatment plans to address medical issues. Has excellent patient care record and great rapport with doctors and superiors.

2021 to present: Respiratory Therapist

• Monitored patient vitals and physiological responses to treatment plans.
• Set up and operated equipment such as ventilators and ECMO.
• Instructed patients on how to successfully complete rehabilitation programs.
• Enforced safety rules and ensured patients followed them.
• Reviewed patient information to assess the effectiveness of treatment plans.

2018 to 2021: Respiratory Therapist

• Cleaned and inspected medical equipment after every use.
• Educated patients and family members on the best therapeutic practices.
• Worked closely with a team of doctors, nurses, and administrative agents.
• Followed specific treatment parameters as per the doctor’s orders.
• Trained five respiratory therapy technicians on best clinical practices.

Project Experience

• Volunteer at the Local Seniors Home: helped residents with medications and physical therapy.
• Respiratory Therapy Practices: conducted extensive research on the effect of different treatment plans.
• Training Technicians: taught five applicants the ins and outs of therapy duties.

Skills

• Interpret sleep studies
• Inventory and equipment management
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• In-depth knowledge of medical terminology
• Life support equipment (ventilators)

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Health Sciences: New England Institute of Technology

Licenses & Accreditations

• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Certified CPR Trainer

Why This Resume Works

In this example, the applicant doesn’t shy away from showing off their work history. The first line in the objective section talks about the many years of experience they have.

Next, let’s focus on the previous work portion. In this section, the candidate mentions more than one respiratory therapist position.

Not only does that mean they know how to perform the job, but they’re also efficient at it. This should boost their chances of grabbing the recruiter’s attention.

Aside from that, the applicant talks about a few projects that they were a part of. That displays their willingness to go above and beyond to sharpen their skills.

Travel Respiratory Therapist Resume Example

As you can guess by the name, these respiratory therapists travel a lot. These workers don’t operate in only one clinic or hospital.

Instead, they’ll move around across the country helping out different facilities. Because of that, they need exceptional communication skills and a flexible schedule.

Objective

Talented respiratory therapist with multiple years of experience in the field. Highly skilled with patient assessments, treatment plans, and palliative care.

Extensive knowledge of multiple medical charting systems including Meditech and Epic.

2020 to present: Travel Respiratory Therapist

• Consulted doctors on the best treatment plans for patients and implemented them.
• Assisted patients with a variety of medical conditions, including chronic illnesses.
• Trained caregivers on the proper handling of patients and equipment.
• Created comprehensive rehabilitation programs for several patients.
• Used Meditech to keep complete patient records.

2018 to 2020: Respiratory Therapist

• Administered ventilatory support to patients according to doctor’s recommendations.
• Performed minor procedures on patients under the supervision of the attending physician.
• Coordinated treatment plans with patients and caregivers to create schedules.
• Analyzed patient records to measure the efficiency of treatment plans.
• Maintained and sterilized equipment following best clinical practices.

Project Experience

• Treatment in the USA: conducted research on health plans in multiple areas of the country.
• Respiratory Gender Study: examined the effect of gender on different chronic conditions.
• Sterilization Techniques: studied the effects of various cleaning approaches.

Skills

• Strong clinical judgment
• Efficient with platforms like Meditech and Epic
• Excellent bedside manners
• Patient and caregiver handling
• Equipment sterilization and troubleshooting

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Respiratory Therapy: Boise State University

Licenses & Accreditations

• Licensed Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN)
• BLS Certification

Why This Resume Works

Travel workers will need to perform the normal duties of a respiratory therapist. Although there are a few differences between the positions, their responsibilities are similar.

For instance, both need to work closely with patients and assist with treatment plans.

However, there are also quite a few differences. As a travel therapist, there are a few skills that employers will focus on.

First off, they’ll look at the worker’s interpersonal skills. Since they’ll need to interact with many teams in a lot of different locations, communication is key.

Other than that, the applicant should be familiar with multiple charting platforms. This will allow them to operate in a variety of clinics and hospitals.

Finally, the projects section helps the candidate stand out. That’s because they talk about three activities, all of which relate to the job position.

Student Respiratory Therapist Resume Example

Student respiratory therapists split their time between school and work. Sadly, that means they’ll have less time to fulfill their job duties. On top of that, they’ll need to take time off for exams.

For that reason, your role will revolve around helping respiratory therapists. That means, aside from the usual skills, you’ll also need to be able to follow instructions carefully.

Objective

Student respiratory therapist with a keen interest in learning. Completed an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy with a 3.8 GPA.

Currently working on a Master’s degree in Respiratory Therapy.

2022 to present: Student Respiratory Therapist

• Performed equipment checks with minimal supervision.
• Learned how to read and record patient vital signs with no assistance.
• Intubated and extubated patients with a certified respiratory therapist present.
• Consulted with therapists and doctors on effective treatment techniques.
• Helped patients follow doctor instructions with medication and rehabilitation.

2021 to 2021: Preschool Assistant Teacher

• Helped young students overcome behavioral issues.
• Created activities that engaged the students and made learning fun.
• Kept detailed records of each student’s progress.
• Administered medication to students based on parents’ instructions.
• Developed critical thinking skills through active exploration activities.

Project Experience

• Respiratory Therapy in Children: conducted research on the effect of age on therapy.
• Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity: organized schedules and meetings.

Skills

• Bilingual (fluent in English and Spanish)
• Patient education
• Cleaning medical equipment
• Proficient at patient assessments
• Enthusiastic team player

Education

• Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy: Ozarks Technical Community College
• Masters of Respiratory Therapy: The Ohio State University (In Progress)

Licenses & Accreditations

• Advanced Cardiovascular Support Certification
• CPR
• Child Development Certification

Why This Resume Works

This applicant has limited experience working as a respiratory therapist student. Their work history shows that they’re able to handle the duties outlined in the job description.

That’ll improve their chances of landing the position.

Other than that, the candidate also mentions the time they spent as an assistant teacher. While this may seem completely different from respiratory therapy, there’s an overlap.

First off, both positions require impressive communication skills. You’ll need to relay your thoughts and recommendations to parents and patients alike.

Besides that, the teaching position demonstrates a few key behavioral aspects. These include the worker’s organizational traits and record-keeping capabilities.

Moving on, the job also displays the applicant’s ability to deal with children. This can come in handy when working at a hospital.

Typically, young patients are the toughest to deal with. So, if the employer sees that you can handle kids in a professional setting, they’re more likely to hire you.

ICU Respiratory Therapist Resume Example

ICU therapists will have to work with patients in critical care. Because of that, they’ll need to take extra precautions when dealing with treatment plans.

That means ICU respiratory therapists should have a highly specialized skill set. Let’s take a look at how to display that in a resume.

Objective

Certified respiratory therapist with over 10 years of experience in the field. Has excellent equipment management skills and communication traits.

Dedicated to providing the highest quality care and streamlining workflow.

2020 to present: ICU Respiratory Therapist

• Provided critical adult respiratory support in the ICU.
• Set up and operated conventional and high-frequency ventilation.
• Assessed patients before and after treatments to evaluate effectiveness.
• Implemented new treatments and procedures under doctor supervision.
• Provided around-the-clock special care for tracheostomy patients.
• Assisted with traumas in the emergency room.
• Ensured respiratory therapist interns followed protocols and effective care practices.

2018 to 2020: Respiratory Therapist

• Designed and implemented several treatment plans for patients.
• Worked with doctors and nurses to provide care for patients in critical conditions.
• Educated patients on how to use assistive medical devices.
• Monitored patients on BiPap and CPAP with no supervision.
• Prepared over 20 diagnostic tests a day for multiple patients.

Project Experience

• Conventional vs. High-Frequency Ventilators: conducted research on the benefits of each device.
• Arterial Gas Interpretation: instructed interns on reading test results.
• Patient and Family Advocacy: talked to caregivers about listening to patient needs.

Skills

• EKG services
• Advanced acute care
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Life support equipment management
• Patient Education and rehabilitation

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Respiratory Care: The University of Kansas

Licenses & Accreditations

• Basic Life Support and CPR Certification
• Servo-I Ventilator Certification
• Member of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Why This Resume Works

There are quite a few impressive sections in this resume.

Right off the bat, the applicant mentions their many years of experience in the field. This signals that the worker is more than capable of fulfilling the duties of the position.

Moving on, the candidate held the titles of ICU and normal respiratory therapist. While both are relevant to the job search, the first entry is of greater importance.

That’s because it matches the title of the job search. You’ll notice that the applicant mentions more duties in the ICU position.

They want the recruiter to spend most of the time focusing on this section of the resume.

Other than that, the candidate uses the skills section to boast about specific traits. All of which are applicable in an intensive care unit.

Common Skills & Action Verbs to Include on a Respiratory Therapist Resume

With the resume examples out of the way, we can take a look at common skills and action verbs.

After recruiters send out a notice for a job vacancy, they’ll receive hundreds of resumes. That makes it challenging to read through every document carefully.

So, instead of wasting time with a manual inspection, employers will use ATS. Applicant Tracking Software is a program that scans resumes.

The tool relies on artificial intelligence to read through documents. Then, it’ll highlight specific words and phrases that the hiring manager is looking for.

Sadly, that means without the right keywords, the document may not make it to the recruiter’s desk. For that reason, you’ll need to optimize your resume.

The fastest way to do that is to include certain skills and adjectives in the document.

Common Skills for Respiratory Therapist Resumes

In this section, we’ll cover the most important skills for respiratory therapists to have.

• Patient education
• Diagnostic tools
• Strong clinical judgment
• Exceptional bedside manners
• Flexible
• Vitals monitoring
• Critical patient care
• Adaptability
• Medical equipment maintenance
• Medical equipment sterilization
• Dosage calculation
• Patient advocacy
• Physical assessments
• Record-keeping skills
• Optimal patient care practices
• Oxygen therapy skills
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Cardiopulmonary therapy treatment plans

Common Action Verbs for Respiratory Therapist Resumes

Here’s a look at some of the most attention-grabbing verbs for respiratory therapists.

• Monitored
• Conducted
• Administered
• Trained
• Gathered
• Delivered
• Created
• Developed
• Provided
• Relieved
• Rehabilitated
• Responded
• Sanitized
• Performed
• Documented

Tips for Writing a Better Respiratory Therapist Resume

After reading the examples, you’re ready to write a respiratory therapist resume. Although, you may need a little help perfecting the document.

If that’s the case, you can use some of the following tips for a great resume. They’ll walk you through what you can do to ensure your document stands out.

Mention Soft Skills

When creating a resume, most job seekers will focus on listing their hard skills. That includes using charting software or the ability to carry out a specific test.

This shows the recruiter that they have the technical know-how to perform the job duties. Unfortunately, bringing up these skills isn’t enough.

Applicants tend to forget to mention their soft skills, even though they’re just as important. Since many candidates will have the same technical traits, they’ll need to find other ways to stand out.

Aspects like communication and teamwork are great examples of this. These skills are crucial for respiratory therapists.

Plus, they’ll give hiring managers a better understanding of the applicant.

Tailor the Resume to the Job

We talked about how most employers use ATS. That means you’ll need to ace an AI inspection first before your resume makes it to the hiring manager.

To ensure you pass with flying colors, you have to tailor your resume to the position you’re applying for.

The easiest way to do that is to read through the job description. As you do that, highlight any keywords or action verbs the recruiter uses.

This will give you a better idea of whether or not you’re the right fit for the position. Besides that, it’ll help you write your resume.

You’ll find specific entries on the educational and skill requirements.

Make the Resume Company Specific

When an applicant is in the middle of a job hunt, they’ll send out their resumes to several organizations.

Typically, they’ll only create one document to distribute around to different companies. They think this will increase their chances of landing a job, but that’s not always the case.

This method leaves little room for customization. So, you’ll have to create a general resume that encompasses all of your skills and work history.

That makes for an incredibly busy document with too many details. Sadly, this can hurt a candidate’s chances of getting a job interview.

For that reason, it’s best to make the resume specific to the company you’re applying to. From the resume headline to the content, you need to tailor every aspect to the business.

That may mean a bit more work, but you’ll increase your chances of finding a job.

Mention Figures and Memorable Events

As you create your resume, keep in mind that the recruiter will see hundreds of documents. Because of that, you have to make yours memorable.

There are quite a couple of ways to go about doing that. First off, it’s always a good idea to mention numbers and figures.

Instead of saying worked with doctors, say interacted with 20 health care professionals. This will give your resume a little more credibility.

Another excellent technique is talking about specific events. In the description section of the work experience, mention a memorable incident.

For example, you can include your interactions with a particularly tough patient. Not only does this display your abilities, but it’ll make it easier for the recruiter to remember you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Resume Types to Reference

As you’re writing your resume, it’s best to reference other similar document types. These can help you tailor the resume to ensure you land the position.

• Nursing Resume: Nurses and respiratory therapists have similar job duties. Both positions require you to work closely with patients and provide care.
• Pharmacy Technician Resume: Pharmacists will work closely with respiratory therapists to provide healthcare.
• Phlebotomist Resume: Respiratory therapists and phlebotomists share many responsibilities. Both will collect blood samples and run tests.

Wrapping Up

Figuring out how to write a respiratory therapist resume can be quite the challenge. Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to make the process simpler.

For starters, ensure that you include relevant respiratory therapist skills and work history. Other than that, don’t forget to mention your soft skills in the resume.

Moving on, it’s best to tailor the resume and make it specific to the position you’re applying for. This should increase your chances of finding a job.

Finally, to help the recruiter remember you, mention a specific event in the document.

Did our respiratory therapist resume sample guide help you land a position? Let us know in the comments. Plus, if you have any more questions, be sure to leave them down below.