Respiratory Therapist III (Department Promotional Only)

San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is a public hospital and clinic system fully accredited by The Joint Commission. The Medical Center operates outpatient clinics throughout San Mateo County and an acute-care hospital in San Mateo. The mission of San Mateo Medical Center is to "partner with patients to provide excellent care with compassion and respect." As part of an integrated health system, the Medical Center serves the healthcare needs of all residents of San Mateo County, with an emphasis on education and prevention.
 
SMMC is currently looking for an experienced Respiratory Therapist III.  Under general supervision, the incumbent will provide lead direction to professional staff providing respiratory care diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and clinical evaluations of care; establish therapeutic objectives and review care based on the age and needs of patients. Respiratory Therapist III's are expected to perform all standard and routine respiratory therapy; assess, plan and provide individual care for patients in compliance with physician's orders; perform Pulmonary Function testing (willingness to learn and become a Registered Pulmonary Function Technician will be considered); perform oxygen and equipment rounds; troubleshoot equipment problems; perform regular equipment maintenance where applicable and competent, such as cleaning and sterilization; collect, interpret and report arterial blood gases; provide patient and family education; and advise physicians and other clinical staff of clinical problems or patients requiring further evaluation.
 
The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience as a Respiratory Therapist in a Critical Care capacity, and will be registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), possess a current Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) credential, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Knowledge of hospital information systems (EPIC) and associated point-of-contact (POC) systems, as well as excellent critical thinking and interpersonal skills, are preferred. If you are an experienced Respiratory Therapist who values integrity, dignity, and service excellence in a team-oriented environment, then we want to talk to you!
 
The current vacancy is a Regular, Full-Time vacancy.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, assign, review and oversee the work of professional respiratory therapy staff.
• Assess shift operations and fluctuating workloads and take appropriate actions to meet workload demands.
• Coordinate work efforts of staff by identifying and prioritizing tasks to be completed.
• Update work schedules based upon staffing changes/needs.
• Complete and/or facilitate administrative tasks associated with shift operations.
• Ensure appropriate notification, both verbally and in writing, to on-call management and supervisory staff.
• Evaluate all patients that may present difficult clinical situations as well as patients that may require alteration of their prescribed respiratory care.
• Ensure quality of care by making rounds.
• Assess, plan and provide individual care for patients in compliance with physician's orders.
• Administer all respiratory care and diagnostic procedures and techniques such as oxygen therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, bronchopulmonary segmental drainage, intermittent positive pressure breathing, sustained maximal inspiration and continuous mechanical ventilation, end total CO2 monitoring, and pulse oximetry.
• Perform special respiratory care such as bedside monitoring, evaluation of cardio-respiratory performance, management on and weaning from mechanical ventilation, and advanced life support or intensive care support.
• Advise physicians, other medical staff or administrative staff of clinical problems or patients requiring further evaluation.
• Perform CPR.
• Administer drugs in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Perform pulmonary function testing.
• Perform oxygen and equipment rounds; troubleshoot equipment problems; perform regular equipment maintenance, preparation, cleaning and sterilization.
• Collect and interpret arterial blood gases.
• Document respiratory care procedures in medical records.
• Present in-service educational classes.
• Ensure compliance and participate in quality assurance programs.
• Assist other staff with complex treatment modalities or in difficult clinical situations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Departmental Status:  
An applicant must have been a County of San Mateo employee in San Mateo County Health with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.  .

Knowledge of:

• Theory, practices and procedures of respiratory care and therapy.
• Emergency medical respiratory care.
• Operation, care and maintenance of respiratory care equipment.
• Principles, methods and techniques of respiratory therapy equipment.
• Principles and practices of CPR, including ACLS and PALS.
• Use, purpose and effect of indicated drugs used in the course of respiratory therapy.
• Policies and practices of recording and maintaining information related to patient care.
• Practices and procedures related to Pulmonary Functions; Arterial Blood Gases, including proper drawing and interpretation; Cardiac Output; Oxygen Consumption; and Electrolytes and nutritional requirements as they impact respiratory therapy.

Skill/Ability to:

• Provide all facets of respiratory care and diagnostic procedures.
• Make independent judgements in providing appropriate respiratory care.
• Work under pressure, exercising good judgment and common sense while making sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Properly use equipment used in the course of providing respiratory care.
• Assess, evaluate and administer respiratory care drugs.
• Proper handling and routing of defective Respiratory Care Equipment to Biomedical Engineering for service and/or repair.
• Deal tactfully with patients and physicians.
• Assisting in instructing and training others.
• Administering CPR.
• Maintain and analyze quality control programs.
• Follow written and oral directions, procedures or instructions.

Education and Experience:
All Levels: Graduation from a Respiratory Therapy Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)

Respiratory Therapist III: Three years of journey level experience including two full years in a critical care setting.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a valid registration as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Possession of a valid California Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license.
• Possession of a valid Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Possession of a valid Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Possession of a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.     

Departmental Promotional Only. Only current San Mateo County employees in San Mateo County Health with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.  

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE: 
Final Filing Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026, by 11:59PM PST
Application Screening: Week of August 31, 2026
Panel/Departmental Interview: Week of September 7, 2026

San Mateo County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. 

The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.