Respiratory therapist Resume: Free Example (2026)

Start with a clean header that includes your name, city, phone number, professional email, and licensure state and number when space allows. Use a one-page layout if you have under 10 years of experience, and a two-page layout only for extensive clinical leadership, publications, or specialized certifications.

Place your summary under the header, then list core skills, clinical experience, education, and licenses in that order so reviewers find your qualifications quickly.

Choose a simple, readable font and use 10 to 12 point body text with clear section headings so your resume scans easily on screen and in print. Align dates to the right and job titles and employer names to the left to create a predictable reading flow that hiring managers prefer.

Keep margins around 0.5 to 1 inch, avoid decorative elements, and save the file as a PDF to preserve formatting when you submit your application.

Write a 2-3 sentence summary that highlights your years of clinical experience, primary care settings, and a key achievement that can be measured, such as reducing ventilation days or improving compliance with protocols. If you are early in your career, use an objective that states your licensing status, relevant clinical rotations, and the value you want to bring to a respiratory care team.

Avoid vague language, and include keywords from the job posting, such as mechanical ventilation, ABG interpretation, or aerosol therapy, to improve match with screening software.

List 8 to 12 clinical and technical skills that match the job description, and group them under a single Skills section so they are easy to scan. Include both procedures and technologies, for example airway management, ventilator management, ABG analysis, pulmonary function testing, neonatal resuscitation, and experience with specific ventilator models or EMR systems.

Use concise phrases rather than long sentences, and prioritize the most relevant skills for the role you want.

For each role, start with your job title, employer, location, and dates of employment, then list 3 to 6 bullet points that focus on measurable outcomes and specific responsibilities. Emphasize actions you took and the results, for example assisted with mechanical ventilation protocols that shortened ICU stay, or implemented a bedside education plan that increased inhaler technique adherence.

If you have leadership duties, note team size, shift responsibilities, and quality metrics you helped improve so reviewers see the scope of your impact.

List your degree, institution, and graduation year, followed by state licensure and national credentialing such as CRT or RRT with dates. Include current certifications like BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP as relevant to the position, and note expiration dates so hiring teams can verify currency.

If you have specialty certifications such as CPFT or neonatal specialty credentials, include them in this section to set you apart for specialized roles.

Use optional sections to highlight quality improvement projects, published case reports, presentations, or continuing education that are relevant to the job. Briefly describe your role, the scope of the project, and the outcome, for example a protocol change that improved oxygen therapy adherence.

Keep optional entries concise and include these items only if they strengthen your candidacy for the target role.

Read the job posting and mirror key phrases and required skills in your resume where they genuinely apply to your experience, and do not add skills you cannot demonstrate. Prioritize the top three or four qualifications listed in the posting by placing matching examples in your summary or top work bullets so you pass initial screening.

When applying through an applicant tracking system, avoid headers or footers that hide text and submit the file type requested by the employer.

Proofread carefully and ask a clinical colleague or mentor to review your resume for accuracy in clinical terms, licensure details, and acronyms. Keep tense consistent, use past tense for previous roles and present tense for current duties, and avoid medical slang or uncommon abbreviations that may confuse hiring managers.

Save a master copy that you can tailor for specific applications so you can adjust keywords and achievements quickly.