Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tampa, FL

Respiratory therapists in Tampa earn a median of about $39 an hour, covering ICUs, NICUs and emergency rooms at Tampa General on Davis Islands, AdventHealth Tampa on Fletcher Avenue and the James A. Haley VA near USF. Here are the current openings, then who hires and how to get licensed in Florida.

Current respiratory therapist Openings in Tampa, FL

Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.

Respiratory Therapist Work in Tampa

Respiratory therapy in Tampa follows the hospitals, and the city has a lot of acute care packed into a few corridors. Tampa General Hospital, the region's only Level I trauma center, staffs therapists for adult ICUs, the NICU and pediatric units on Davis Islands. The USF corridor in North Tampa adds AdventHealth Tampa and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, while long-term acute care hospitals such as Kindred Hospital Central Tampa off North Howard Avenue care for ventilator patients who need weeks of weaning.

Demand climbs in the winter respiratory virus season. Tampa General has posted 13-week seasonal therapist contracts for its NICU, and Kindred has advertised sign-on bonuses of up to $10,000. Outside the hospital, the VA staffs a registered respiratory therapist at its Riverview outpatient clinic in southern Hillsborough County.

Top Tampa Employers for Respiratory Therapists

These Tampa hospitals employ licensed respiratory therapists:

• AdventHealth - hires Respiratory Therapist II staff with the RRT credential at AdventHealth Tampa on Fletcher Avenue.
• Tampa General Hospital - the Davis Islands trauma and teaching hospital hires therapists for adult critical care, NICU and pediatrics, including seasonal contracts.
• James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital - the VA medical center by USF hires registered respiratory therapists for the main campus and its outpatient clinics through USAJOBS.
• Kindred Hospital Central Tampa - the long-term acute care hospital in North Central Tampa hires CRT and RRT therapists for ventilator weaning and critical care.
• Tampa General Rehabilitation Hospital - the Lifepoint joint venture hires licensed respiratory therapists for inpatient rehab, including PRN shifts.

Respiratory Therapist Salaries in Tampa

• Entry level: about $28 to $36 per hour for newly licensed therapists.
• Experienced: roughly $37 to $44 per hour for RRTs with critical care experience.
• Senior and specialty: $44 to $47 or more per hour for neonatal, ECMO, lead and educator roles.

These are estimates based on federal wage data for the Tampa metro and posted ranges such as AdventHealth Tampa's $23.71 to $44.09 an hour for an RRT. Pay rises with the RRT credential over the CRT, neonatal and adult critical care specialty credentials, night shifts and seasonal or PRN contracts. VA respiratory therapist postings in Tampa have run from $40,736 to $118,494 a year across grades.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Tampa

Florida requires a license from the Florida Board of Respiratory Care. You qualify by graduating from an accredited respiratory care program and earning the CRT or RRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care, then submitting Livescan fingerprints and $105 in fees. Locally, Hillsborough College offers an Associate in Science in Respiratory Care at its Dale Mabry Campus: 76 credits over six terms, or four terms on the Transition Option, with clinicals at hospitals across Hillsborough County. Most Tampa hospitals prefer or require the RRT plus BLS and ACLS.

What the Job Involves

Respiratory therapists assess breathing, set up and manage mechanical ventilators, and deliver oxygen, aerosol medications and airway clearance treatments. They draw and analyze arterial blood gases, respond to rapid responses and codes, assist with intubations, and help wean patients off ventilators. In the NICU they manage tiny airways and specialized ventilation for premature infants.

Skills Employers Look For

• RRT credential and a Florida respiratory care license
• Ventilator management and weaning protocols
• Arterial blood gas sampling and interpretation
• BLS, ACLS and often PALS or NRP
• Calm performance during codes and rapid responses
• Clear charting and teamwork with nurses and physicians

Career Path and Advancement

Most Tampa therapists start on general floors and adult ICUs, then move into neonatal and pediatric care, pulmonary function testing or ECMO teams at larger centers like Tampa General. From there the ladder runs to lead therapist, clinical educator and respiratory care manager. Some move into sleep medicine, home care or the VA's outpatient clinics for a weekday schedule.

Related Careers in Tampa

If respiratory care interests you, these Tampa healthcare roles are close matches:

• Registered Nurse Jobs
• Radiologic Technologist Jobs
• Surgical Technologist Jobs
• Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to be a respiratory therapist in Florida?

Yes. Respiratory therapists are licensed by the Florida Board of Respiratory Care, and you need the CRT or RRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care to apply. The Board also requires Livescan fingerprints and a background review.

How much do respiratory therapists make in Tampa?

Federal wage data puts the Tampa metro median near $39 an hour, or about $81,600 a year. New therapists often start around $28 to $36 an hour, and experienced RRTs in critical care can earn $44 an hour or more.

Is the CRT or RRT better for Tampa jobs?

The RRT opens more doors. AdventHealth Tampa requires it for its Respiratory Therapist II roles, and the VA allows CRT holders only a temporary one-year appointment while they work toward the RRT. Some long-term acute care hospitals still accept the CRT.

Where can I study respiratory therapy in Tampa?

Hillsborough College offers an Associate in Science in Respiratory Care at its Dale Mabry Campus near Raymond James Stadium. The basic track runs six terms, and a four-term Transition Option serves students who already hold a related credential.

When do Tampa hospitals hire the most respiratory therapists?

Hiring picks up before and during winter respiratory virus season, when ICUs and pediatric units fill. Tampa General has posted 13-week seasonal contracts, and PRN shifts are common at hospitals and rehab centers year round.

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