Providing care that immediately improves a patient's comfort and ability to breathe, and ultimately their quality of life, can be incredibly rewarding - it's probably one of the reasons you became a CRT. Add that to the opportunities that medical travel offers, like high pay, flexibility and the opportunity for exploring, and the multifaceted benefits of being a CRT make it a fulfilling career choice.
A certified respiratory therapist (CRT) has a pivotal role within healthcare facilities, responsible for providing pulmonary care and respiratory care services and support to patients with breathing, pulmonary related sickness, and cardiopulmonary disorders. As a CRT, you specialize in helping those struggling with breathing difficulties, from newborns with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients with chronic respiratory diseases. A registered respiratory therapist might provide patient care in a variety of settings like hospitals, emergency rooms, nursing homes, and patients’ homes. They collaborate closely with physicians and the medical team on tasks to improve respiratory function and enhance the overall quality of life for their patients.
Assesses patients' pulmonary conditions and presents personalized treatment plan
Accurately administers treatment drugs
Manages ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients
Monitors and records patient's progress
Educates patients and their families on lung diseases so they can manage their conditions effectively
With opportunities for travelers all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Travel respiratory therapists are needed everywhere. Compensation packages for traveling professionals give you the freedom to live in and explore you environment.
State licenses and therapy certification costs are paid for because we want you to be a qualified rockstar!
When you become a traveling respiratory therapist, we give you, tax-free per diems each week to help cover daily expenses, like housing, transportation and meals.
When you’re a medical traveler you get to live the best of your travel and work lives, together! Plus, you’ll gain valuable life experience along the way.
Being a travel CRT can help you achieve the career you’ve always wanted, but what if your dream job is asking for certifications you don’t have? Fusion can help you with that! We can help you find therapy training, licensing, professional development, and certifications to help you take your career forward, and financial assistance to help you get there.
Licenses and certifications can leave you scratching your head when you should be stoked about traveling. We want you to know exactly what you’re getting into. Since degrees and certifications depend on your modality and specialty, Fusion’s compliance experts work with your recruiter and facility management during your entire travel journey to make sure that you have all relevant credentials required for our travel respiratory therapist jobs.
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty.
The three parts of compliance
Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
To become a certified respiratory therapist, you typically need an associate's or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program, during which time you complete supervised clinical rotations at hospitals or other healthcare facilities. After graduating from an accredited program, you must pass the credentialing exams administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care to earn your Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification.
You must also obtain a state license to practice respiratory therapy. Requirements vary by state but often include passing one of the NBRC exams, completing criminal background checks, and paying licensing fees. To practice, you must maintain certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and possibly Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Professionals need 12-18 months experience in the field before applying for travel jobs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for respiratory therapists, which includes respiratory therapists, was $61,330. However, the salary for certified respiratory therapist jobs can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, and type of healthcare setting. Highly experienced CRTs in high-demand areas may potentially earn a higher income.
Travel respiratory therapist jobs are available in a diverse range of healthcare settings. Predominantly, they work in the hospital, assisting in critical care units, emergency rooms, and neonatal or pediatric units where patients often struggle with severe respiratory problems. Furthermore, CRTs are integral members of the healthcare team in long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes, providing care to those with chronic respiratory conditions. They also work in outpatient clinics, where they conduct diagnostic tests and offer treatment for patients with less severe respiratory issues. In some cases, CRTs offer services in patients' homes, especially for home care patients who require ongoing respiratory care and therapy.
In the United States, travel respiratory therapy jobs typically last 13 weeks, but anything between 8 and 26 weeks is common. Medical facilities often offer to renew your contract, too, which is called an extension. Extension offers are usually made in the last 3 to 5 weeks of your travel assignment, but if you’re interested in staying on longer, you should reach out to your recruiter.
Fusion offers three Medical plans to choose from, one PPO plan and two High Deductible Plans, as well as Dental, Vision, Basic Life, and Short-Term Disability. If traveling to the state of Hawaii, Hawaii has its own mandated coverage and you will be offered that coverage at that time. If you were previously on the BCBS Nebraska Medical coverage and/or the Ameritas Dental and Vision, this coverage will be terminated when moving to Hawaii for an assignment.
