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

Job description

Respiratory Care Practitioner Opportunities

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 includes:

Respiratory Care Practitioner I (Trainee): Training-level classification involving a twelve-week structured training program under immediate supervision. Transition to close supervision while continuing to develop clinical competencies through on-the-job instruction.

Respiratory Care Practitioner II: Entry-level classification. Independently perform standard respiratory therapy procedures in adult critical care, emergency, and pediatric settings while continuing to develop advanced clinical skills.

Respiratory Care Practitioner III: Journey-level classification. 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: Advanced journey-level classification. Independently provide advanced respiratory care within both the NICU and PICU and may transition between specialty units during a shift based upon operational needs. Demonstrate advanced clinical expertise, provide guidance to staff, and manage the most complex respiratory care cases across specialty populations.

Payroll titles and approximate salaries:

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 (Previously: July 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.)

To apply online, please refer to our website at hr.venturacounty.gov. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources - Health Care Agency, 646 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

Supplemental Questionnaire – Qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

Application Evaluation – Qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to the written examination.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. Background Investigation: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, and driving record may be required for this position. For further information about this recruitment, please contact Erin Niemi at or by telephone at .

Equal Employment Opportunity: The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Worksite address

santa paula, CA, 93061, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.