Respiratory Care Practitioner I-IV & Respiratory Therapist Per Diem Pool I-IV

Respiratory Care Practitioner I-IV and Respiratory Therapist - PDP I-IV

The Ventura County Health Care Agency is seeking dedicated Respiratory Care Practitioners to join the Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital. Opportunities are available at the Respiratory Care Practitioner I (Trainee), II, III, and IV levels and Respiratory Therapist Per Diem Pool (PDP) I, II, III, IV levels. This flexibly staffed series provides a structured career path for respiratory care professionals seeking to advance from foundational clinical practice to highly specialized neonatal and pediatric critical care.

Respiratory Care Practitioners/Respiratory Therapist PDPs provide respiratory therapy services to neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients in a variety of clinical settings, including the Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Depending on assignment and level, incumbents perform respiratory assessments, administer therapeutic treatments and medications, manage advanced airway and ventilatory support, educate patients and families, collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and respond to emergency situations requiring advanced life support.

The level at which an individual is appointed is based on qualifications, experience, demonstrated competencies, and the operational needs of the Health Care Agency.

Career Progression

Respiratory Care Practitioner I (Trainee): This is the training-level classification in the series involving a twelve-week structured training program under immediate supervision. After the initial training period, incumbents transition to close supervision while continuing to develop clinical competencies through on-the-job instruction. Employees are expected to progress toward full competency and advancement to the Respiratory Care Practitioner II level upon successful completion of the training period.

Respiratory Care Practitioner II: This is the entry-level classification within the series. Incumbents independently perform standard respiratory therapy procedures in adult critical care, emergency, and pediatric settings while continuing to develop advanced clinical skills. Employees may receive specialized training within the NICU or PICU in preparation for advancement to the journey level.

Respiratory Care Practitioner III: This is the journey-level classification within the series. Incumbents independently perform advanced respiratory care procedures within either the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), coordinate staff assignments during assigned shifts, assist with complex clinical cases, and receive specialized training in advanced airway management procedures.

Respiratory Care Practitioner IV: This is the advanced journey-level classification within the series. Incumbents are qualified to independently provide advanced respiratory care within both the NICU and PICU and may transition between specialty units during a shift based upon operational needs. Employees at this level demonstrate advanced clinical expertise, provide guidance to staff, and manage the most complex respiratory care cases across specialty populations.

Payroll Title and Approximate Salary:

Respiratory Care Practitioner I: $31.57 Hourly

Respiratory Care Practitioner II: $34.01 - $47.61 Hourly

Respiratory Care Practitioner III: $36.56 - $51.18 Hourly

Respiratory Care Practitioner IV: $39.32 - $55.04 Hourly

Respiratory Therapist - PDP I: $36.55 Hourly

Respiratory Therapist - PDP II: $40.20 Hourly

Respiratory Therapist - PDP III: $43.86 Hourly

Respiratory Therapist - PDP IV: $47.48 Hourly

Incentives: Incumbents may be eligible for educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

Department/Agency: Health Care Agency Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and may require travel to Santa Paula Hospital. Respiratory Care Practitioner I-IV and Respiratory Therapist - PDP I-IV are represented by the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Per Diem Pool, Intermittent, and Extra-Help vacancies within the Health Care Agency.

Tentative Schedule:

Opening Date: July 6, 2026

Closing Date: Continuous

Examples Of Duties Regular Positions:

Respiratory Care Practitioner I-II:

• Performs general respiratory therapy and procedures in Adult ICU including but not limited to medical gas, humidity, aerosol, bronchial hygiene, airway management, and mechanical ventilation therapies in accordance with departmental protocols and procedures.
• Assesses, plans, and provides individualized patient care by gathering information through direct contact, chart reviews, and other sources, and communicates findings to the healthcare team.
• Administers Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) (II only) in emergency situations, ensuring optimal patient care and adherence to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.
• Administers respiratory medications and treatments including oxygen therapy, aerosolized medications, and various respiratory care equipment, ensuring proper dosage and application based on patient needs and physician orders.
• Performs oxygen and equipment rounds, troubleshoots and maintains equipment, and ensures proper preparation, cleaning, sterilization, and repair as required.
• Performs pulmonary function studies and arterial punctures, analyzes the data, and evaluates results to inform patient care decisions.
• Attends in-service educational classes.
• Advises physicians, medical supervisors, and medical staff regarding clinical problems or patients requiring further evaluation.
• Documents and maintains respiratory care procedures in patient medical records.
• Provides patient and family education, including instruction on the operation of respiratory equipment and understanding of therapy procedures.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and adherence to management and respiratory therapy rules, regulations, policies, and procedures commonly implemented in healthcare facilities.
• Performs other related duties as required.

In addition to the above duties, Respiratory Care Practitioner II:

• May participate in and receive training on more complex procedures in the NICU or PICU which provides the experience necessary for advancement to Level III.

In addition to the above duties, Respiratory Care Practitioner III:

• Receives structured training and supervised practice to learn and perform high-acuity intubation and airway management procedures for infants, children, and adults.
• Performs specialized respiratory care duties independently within the NICU or PICU, demonstrating advanced training and proficiency in critical care practices.
• Coordinates and monitors staff assignments during assigned shifts to ensure efficient workflow, continuity of care, and adherence to established protocols.
• Assists staff with complex treatment modalities and difficult clinical cases, exercising clinical judgment and providing guidance as appropriate.
• Assists staff during all high-risk deliveries and C-sections (NICU).
• Assists in C-sections with zero risk factors (PICU).

In addition to the above duties, Respiratory Care Practitioner IV:

• Independently performs advanced respiratory care duties within both the NICU and PICU, demonstrating specialized expertise and proficiency, including high-acuity intubation and airway management procedures for infants, children, and adults.
• Assists staff with the most complex treatment modalities and difficult clinical cases, exercising clinical judgment and providing guidance as appropriate.

Examples Of Duties Per Diem Pool Positions:

Respiratory Therapist - PDP I-IV:

• Under physician orders, performs the full scope of respiratory care procedures, such as interviewing patients, performing limited physical examinations, and conducting diagnostic tests;
• Responds to all patient care-related codes that are called out on the overhead paging system;
• Provides instruction to patients and families in the operation of respiratory equipment and procedures to gain cooperation, allay fears, and maximize effectiveness;
• Maintains patient records, billing documentation, and/or test documentation;
• Assesses patients for appropriate treatment, monitors patients, and reassesses patients to evaluate treatment and any needed adjustments, communicating any recommendations to physicians;
• Administers treatments and medications involving oxygen, oxygen mixtures, aerosol medications, and various respiratory care equipment;
• Trains non-respiratory care hospital staff in procedures relating to respiratory therapy that are shared responsibilities or for cross-discipline training as needed;
• Performs preventive maintenance of equipment, including mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, and aerosol generators;
• Performs other duties as assigned.