An entry-level respiratory therapist CV helps you demonstrate clinical training, qualifications, and patient-care skills so hiring managers in the United Kingdom can assess readiness for bedside care. This guide explains what to include on a CV for an entry-level respiratory therapist and provides concrete examples you can adapt for your first role within the NHS or the private sector.
Building a Respiratory Therapist resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist CV: Lead with a Clear Header and Contact Details
Begin your entry-level respiratory therapist CV with a clear header that includes your full name, town or city and postcode, UK mobile number, and a professional email address. Add a link to an up-to-date LinkedIn profile that includes clinical details, but avoid listing personal social media accounts.
Make your name prominent and ensure contact details are easy to copy so recruiters can reach you quickly. Optional: add a concise job target line beneath the header (e.g.
'Graduate Respiratory Therapist seeking NHS experience in acute care').
CV Summary vs Objective for an Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist
Decide whether a CV summary or an objective best fits your situation. If you have relevant clinical placements, qualifications, or voluntary experience, include a concise 2-3 sentence summary that highlights your strengths and the type of NHS or clinical unit you want to work in.
If you are changing field or have limited hands-on time, write a 1-2 sentence objective stating your training, registration goals, and enthusiasm to support respiratory care teams.
Clinical Experience and Work History on your Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist CV
Treat clinical placements and practicum as real clinical work, listing them under a 'Clinical Experience' section with the organisation name, department/unit, dates in DD/MM/YYYY format, and 2-4 concise bullets per entry that show interventions, equipment used, or measurable outcomes (for example, number of ventilator checks per shift or respiratory modalities provided). If you have worked as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) or in an EMT role, include it and emphasise transferable skills such as airway management, patient monitoring, and communication with multidisciplinary teams, particularly within NHS settings or accredited private hospitals.
Education, Licences, and Certifications
List your qualification first, including the exact name of the degree or programme, awarding institution, city, and graduation date in DD/MM/YYYY. Follow with regulatory registrations or licences (e.g.
HCPC registration if applicable) and standard UK healthcare certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ACLS) if you have them. If credentials are pending, state the expected exam date and, where relevant, your progress toward any UK regulatory assessments.
Include a note on your right-to-work status and National Insurance (NI) eligibility if requested by an employer.
Key Skills to Highlight on an Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist CV
Create a dedicated 'Skills' section that captures core competencies. Include clinical skills (airway management, ventilatory support, respiratory monitoring, oxygen therapy, chest physiotherapy), patient assessment, infection prevention, equipment maintenance, and documentation.
Highlight communication with multidisciplinary teams, handover procedures, and familiarity with NHS electronic health record systems (e.g. SystmOne, Rio) and local NHS policies.
Include transferable skills from any prior work experience and tailor keywords to the job description and NHS frameworks.
Additional Tips
- 1Use short, precise bullet points starting with action verbs and include the intervention and the outcome or context
- 2If certification is pending, include the expected month and year of your exam so employers can gauge your timeline
- 3Aim for a concise CV; ideally one page for entry-level roles, but two pages may be acceptable if you have substantial clinical placements