Travel Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tennessee

The median salary for Respiratory Therapists in the state of Tennessee was $55,590 per year or $26.72 per hour in 2022 with most earning an annual salary between $47,410 and $61,360 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level jobs in Tennessee or those with the lowest 10% salary earned around $45,810, while the highest 10% earned more than $64,100. Tennessee ranks 46 in median annual salary for Respiratory Therapists, though when adjusted to the relative cost of living, Tennessee ranks at 34.

Typically, travel respiratory therapy jobs will provide higher hourly and weekly pay than permanent positions in the same specialty, facility, and location. The estimated weekly gross pay listed for travel rt jobs is based on the specified hours per week listed on job cards and includes available stipend amounts.

To become a respiratory therapist in Tennessee, you must meet several requirements. First, you need to obtain an associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program. Then, you must pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam to become a certified respiratory therapist (CRT) or a registered respiratory therapist (RRT). Additionally, a Tennessee state license is required, which involves submitting an application and the $160 fee to the Respiratory Care Board. The processing time for the license is approximately 6 weeks. For more information, please visit the Tennessee Health Professional Boards website and the application portal.

Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)

The CRT certification is a measure of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required of respiratory therapists at entry into practice. The candidate must be a graduate of at least a two-year degree program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) CoARC and have achieved a low-cut score on the TMC to earn the CRT credential. The TMC education requirement may make them ineligible for the next level of the TMC exam.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

The RRT certification recognizes the individual as having advanced clinical skills, advanced decision-making skills, and further training to act in a consulting role in matters concerning patient care planning and treatment. The candidate must be a graduate of a two-year or a four-year degree program accredited by CoARC, have achieved the high cut score on the TMC, and passed the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) portion of the exam to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. For these reasons, the RRT credential is generally preferred by most employers.

Respiratory therapists are highly trained healthcare professionals who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of breathing and other respiratory disorders. Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) and Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs) work to improve the quality of life of patients of all ages, from neonates to the elderly, with a wide range of respiratory issues. Through their expert knowledge and skills, RRTs and CRTs are qualified to conduct evaluations on patients' lung and breathing functions using tests such as spirometry and arterial blood gas analysis. They also develop personalized treatment plans for their patients, based on the specific disorder they have been diagnosed with, such as asthma or COPD. In addition to developing treatment plans, RRTs and CRTs administer medications and treatments, such as inhalers, nebulizers, and oxygen therapy, to help manage and improve patients' respiratory function. RRTs may also perform chest physiotherapy and other breathing exercises to help clear mucus from the lungs and improve breathing.