Salary : $116,355.20 - $145,475.20 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: F134K
Department: San Mateo Medical Center
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01C

Description
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.

Examples Of Duties
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.

Qualifications

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.

Application/Examination

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
HR Contact: Debbie Kong (08132026) (Respiratory Therapist III - F134)
We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
01

IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the supplemental questions below. Your responses will provide detailed information about your background and experience related to this position.

This information will weigh heavily in the application screening by the subject matter experts and will also be used in the selection process.

Answer the questions completely, paying attention to the multi-parts of the questions. While being thorough and detailed, also be concise. Your strategic use of language as well as neatness, clarity of expression, attention to detail, proper use of grammar and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.

• I have read and understand this important information. Proceed to supplemental questions.

02

This recruitment is Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the 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. Are you currently a San Mateo County Health employee in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date with at least 1040 hours of continuous service? (A "No" answer will disqualify you from this recruitment.)

• Yes
• No

03

Possession of the following licenses/certificates are required for this position. Which of the following certificates do you possess? Please check all that apply. (Please include your license numbers in the Certificates & Licenses section and attach copies of your licenses/certificates to the application. Any answer less than all five certificates will disqualify you from this recruitment.)

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

04

How have your education and experience prepared you for the position of Respiratory Therapist III? Describe your experience providing a full range of respiratory care procedures in chronic, acute, critical and life-threatening settings. Include your role, the length of your experience, and where the experience was gained. Be specific.
05

Describe your leadership style and experience leading staff. Include the number and types of employees you led, the length of your experience, and where the experience was gained. Provide one specific work-related example that best illustrates your leadership approach/style. Be specific.
06

Describe your most challenging case/patient as a Respiratory Therapist. Why was it cha