Respiratory Therapist

Southwest Health System; Cortez (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Employee Discounts

403(b) retirement plan

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Southwest Health System in Cortez, CO, is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to deliver high-quality cardiopulmonary care aligned with physician orders and departmental policies. You will work under the Cardiopulmonary Services Medical Director and Department Manager to support patient outcomes.

The role emphasizes clear documentation, teamwork, and compassionate patient interaction, with opportunities to grow in a rural hospital setting and provide care close to home.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Current State Respiratory Therapist Licensure.
• Graduate of an AMA-approved School of Respiratory Therapy.
• BLS, ACLS and PALS certifications.
• Cardiopulmonary services experience preferred.
• Strong English communication, additional languages preferred, excellent customer service, and basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide ordered cardiopulmonary and respiratory therapy services across patient needs.
• Document and communicate care clearly while supporting a safe, customer-focused experience.

Skills

English communication

Customer service

Computer literacy

Respiratory therapy knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

State Respiratory Therapist Licensure

AMA-approved RT program graduate

BLS

ACLS

PALS

Job description

Our Story, Your Future

SHS was established in 1914, Southwest Health System, Inc. has a rich history of serving rural communities and has a strong mission to provide the highest quality healthcare to our patients. We offer comprehensive "care close to home", helping people in small towns receive quality operations and services you'd only expect from a big city. By only using the latest technology and employing the best staff, we create a patient experience unlike any other. Our employees love our respectful culture, our excellent compensation package, and our incredible location, making our hospital the place to build dream careers!

Your Clinical Impact

As a Respiratory Therapist, you’ll deliver high-quality cardiopulmonary care that helps patients breathe easier—fast—while aligning with physician orders and department policies/procedures under the direction of the Cardiopulmonary Services Medical Director and Department Manager.

Key responsibilities

• Provide ordered cardiopulmonary and respiratory therapy services across patient needs
• Document and communicate care clearly while supporting a safe, customer-focused experience

Required qualifications/skills

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Current State Respiratory Therapist Licensure
• Graduate of an AMA-approved School of Respiratory Therapy
• Current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications
• Cardiopulmonary services experience preferred
• Strong English communication (additional languages preferred), excellent customer service, and basic computer skills

A Shift in Motion

Your day moves with purpose: you start by syncing with the Cardiopulmonary team and prioritizing patient needs, then transition between units as situations evolve. You’ll stay sharp while working around moderate-to-occasionally loud noise and the realities of clinical exposure (infectious waste, chemicals/pharmaceuticals, and occasional foul odors). Some interactions can be tense with upset patients or family members, so you’ll lean on calm, clear communication. In Cortez, you may also navigate environmental changes—heat, cold, wind, rain, or snow—on the way in or out, finishing your shift knowing your steady presence helped keep care on track.

Rewards That Matter

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee Discounts
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

** THIS POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR A MINIMUM OF 7 DAYS. AFTER THAT DATE, THE POSITION WILL CLOSE WHEN A SUITABLE CANDIDATE IS SELECTED. **