If you’re a respiratory therapist, you already know how special your job is. But what if you’re itching to take your skills on the road, gain experience in new environments, and grow your career while exploring different parts of the country? Sounds like a career as a travel respiratory therapist is in your future! From career growth to financial flexibility to seeing new places, being a travel respiratory therapist can be a gamechanger. Here’s why you should consider it.

• Broaden your respiratory therapy skills
• Work in diverse healthcare settings
• Increase your earning potential as a travel respiratory therapist
• Reduce the risk of burnout
• ✨BONUS ✨ Frequently asked questions

Traveling as a Respiratory Therapist Can Boost Your Career. Here’s How!

Broaden your respiratory therapy skills

When you travel as a respiratory therapist, you’ll notice how much your clinical and interpersonal skills can grow with every new experience. Each respiratory therapist travel job offers different challenges that help you stretch outside your comfort zone to discover strengths you may not have realized you had. And with time, you’ll feel more confident, adaptable, and connected to your work.

With travel respiratory therapist jobs, you can experience the kind of growth that doesn’t just make you a stronger respiratory therapist but also reminds you why you chose this career in the first place.

Work in diverse healthcare settings

Respiratory therapists work in all kinds of healthcare settings and as a travel respiratory therapist, you can still look forward to that, each with their own rhythm.

You may also like: Urban vs Rural Healthcare Traveler Jobs: What’s Right for You?

While one assignment might bring you to a busy urban hospital with cutting-edge technology, the next may be at a smaller community facility where resourcefulness and teamwork make all the difference. Experiencing this range of work environments can broaden your perspective and help you see just how valuable your role is in every corner of healthcare.

Increase your earning potential as a travel respiratory therapist

Being a travel respiratory therapist doesn’t just expand your skills — it can also grow your paycheck. Many travel contracts offer higher pay packages and tax-free stipends that can make a big difference, as well.

Related: Why You Start Traveling as a Respiratory Therapist

On top of that, when you travel with Fusion Medical Staffing, you have the option to collect additional cash bonuses and prizes through FuseClub Rewards and our referral bonus program. For some travelers, that extra income means paying off student loans faster. For others, it’s the chance to save up for the future or enjoy more financial flexibility. Either way, the earning potential is one of the most impactful benefits of becoming a travel respiratory therapist.

Reduce the risk of burnout

You don’t need us to tell you that burnout’s real, especially in healthcare. But traveling as a respiratory therapist can help keep the spark alive.

Instead of being tied to the same routine day after day, travel lets you hit refresh every few months with a new city, new team, and new experiences. That change of scenery can bring fresh energy to your work and give you something to look forward to both on and off the clock.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a certified respiratory therapist and a registered respiratory therapist?

The difference between a certified respiratory therapist (CRT) and a registered respiratory therapist (RRT) largely comes down to experience and testing.

Related: CRT or RRT: Everything You Need to Know About Respiratory Therapists

Earning a certified respiratory therapist credential means you’ve completed an accredited program and passed the first level of the licensing exam. The RRT is the next step up, demonstrating you’ve gone further by passing a higher cut score and completing the Clinical Simulation Exam. The TL;DR is that being a registered respiratory therapist opens the door to more advanced opportunities.

How are travel respiratory therapist jobs different from permanent respiratory therapist jobs?

Travel and permanent respiratory therapists have many overlapping responsibilities. For example, professionals in both types of respiratory therapist jobs examine patients, educate patients, and provide general patient care.

However, there are a few key differences between permanent and travel respiratory therapy jobs. With a perm role, you’re part of the same team, in the same place, following a similar routine every day. That consistency can be great, but it can also feel repetitive over time.

Travel respiratory therapy, on the other hand, keeps things exciting, fresh, and new. Every few months, you step into a different facility, meeting new people, and discovering new ways of doing things. For many respiratory therapists, the main difference is the freedom that comes with travel.

What’s the job outlook for travel respiratory therapists?

Thinking about getting into travel respiratory therapy? You have excellent timing — the future’s bright.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12% growth in respiratory therapy jobs between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. That means more opportunities across the country, especially in places that need help filling shifting demands or gaps.

And this trend can work in the favor of traveling respiratory therapists. That’s because more facilities looking for flexible, skilled professionals means more contract options, more geographic variety, and a strong chance to find assignments that align with your goals and lifestyle.

What certifications do I need to be a travel respiratory therapist?

To work as a travel respiratory therapist, you’ll need the same core certifications required to practice as a respiratory therapist anywhere. That starts with earning your certified respiratory therapist or your registered respiratory therapist credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care.

You’ll also need a current state license for wherever you’re taking an assignment, and many facilities expect you to hold Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Depending on the setting, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certifications may also be requested. Having these in hand not only makes you eligible for more assignments, but also shows you’re ready to jump in and provide excellent care from day one.

How does Fusion Medical Staffing support travel respiratory therapists?

When you choose us, you’re never left to figure things out on your own. Right from day one, you'll be matched with a dedicated recruiter to help guide you along the way. Your benefits package also kicks in on day one — covering things like dental, vision, and health insurance. We even reimburse licensing, certification, and continuing education costs, as well as travel mileage so your travel to your assignment doesn’t feel like an out-of-pocket burden.

Beyond that, our committed traveler experience and clinical teams are here to ensure your voice is always heard. Additionally, our free mental health resources and employer-paid employee assistance program (EAP) are available to you when you need extra support.

Whether you’re figuring out housing, planning your paid time-off, or want someone to talk through a tough shift, our support network is one of the many reasons why our travelers love us. Because working with Fusion doesn’t feel like being on your own — it feels like belonging somewhere that cares.

Fact: traveling as a respiratory therapist is more than a job — it’s a chance to grow your career, experience new places, and make a positive impact wherever you go. And at Fusion Medical Staffing, we’re here to make sure you feel supported every step of the way, from your first assignment to your next big adventure.