Respiratory Therapist Resume Keywords (2026): 60+ RRT Skills to Land Interviews
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🚨 RRT certified but not getting interviews? Your resume is missing critical keywords.
In 2026, hospitals and healthcare systems use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter thousands of applications. Even if you are a skilled respiratory therapist, if your resume lacks terms like "Mechanical Ventilation" or "ABG Interpretation," you will be rejected before a human sees it.
Why These Keywords Matter in 2026
Respiratory therapy is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
But here is the challenge: with more graduates entering the field, competition is fierce. Recruiters do not manually read every resume. They rely on ATS filters that scan for specific clinical terms.
A resume that says "Helped patients breathe better" gets rejected. A resume that says "Administered mechanical ventilation and interpreted ABG results for ICU patients" gets an interview.
The median salary for respiratory therapists is $80,450 per year (BLS, May 2024). The right keywords can help you land roles at the higher end of that range.
Table of Contents
- What Are Respiratory Therapist Resume Keywords?
- Core RT Keywords (The Essentials)
- Diagnostic Testing Keywords
- Equipment and Technology
- ICU vs. General Floor vs. Neonatal Keywords
- Certifications That Matter
- Action Verbs for Respiratory Therapists
- Where to Place These Keywords
- Resume Examples: Weak vs. Strong
- Common RT Resume Mistakes
- FAQ
What Are Respiratory Therapist Resume Keywords?
Respiratory therapist resume keywords are the clinical terms, equipment names, and certifications that prove your competency in respiratory care.
Recruiters and ATS systems scan for:
- Credentials: RRT, CRT, State License
- Clinical Skills: Ventilator Management, Airway Management, ABG Analysis
- Equipment: CPAP, BiPAP, Ventilators, Nebulizers
- Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP
Using precise terminology (saying "Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Interpretation" instead of "blood tests") signals clinical expertise and helps you pass automated screening.
Core RT Keywords (The Essentials)
These keywords apply to nearly all respiratory therapist positions. Make sure these appear on your resume.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Clinical Assessment | Patient Assessment, Vital Signs Monitoring, Lung Auscultation, Respiratory Assessment, Physical Examination, Breath Sounds, Pulse Oximetry |
| Ventilation & Airway | Mechanical Ventilation, Airway Management, Intubation Assistance, Extubation, Tracheostomy Care, Manual Resuscitation, Bag-Valve Mask (BVM) |
| Oxygen Therapy | Oxygen Administration, High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), Oxygen Titration, Hypoxia Management, FiO2 Adjustment |
Pro Tip: Always spell out abbreviations at least once (e.g., "Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)") so ATS systems catch both variations.
Diagnostic Testing Keywords
Diagnostic skills are critical for RT roles, especially in pulmonary function labs.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Blood Gas Analysis | Arterial Blood Gas (ABG), ABG Interpretation, Capillary Blood Gas (CBG), Acid-Base Balance, pH Analysis, PaO2, PaCO2 |
| Pulmonary Function | Spirometry, Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), Methacholine Challenge, Bronchodilator Response, FEV1/FVC Ratio, Lung Volumes |
| Monitoring | Capnography, End-Tidal CO2 (EtCO2), Hemodynamic Monitoring, Cardiac Monitoring, SpO2 Monitoring |
Equipment and Technology
Listing specific equipment proves hands-on experience and is a major hiring factor.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Ventilators | Mechanical Ventilators, Servo-i, Puritan Bennett 840, Hamilton G5, Drager Evita, V60 BiPAP, Trilogy |
| CPAP/BiPAP | Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV), PAP Therapy |
| Aerosol & Oxygen | Nebulizers, Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDI), Small Volume Nebulizer (SVN), Oxygen Concentrators, Humidifiers |
| Monitoring Devices | Pulse Oximeters, Capnographs, Blood Gas Analyzers, Polysomnography Equipment |
👉 Not sure if your equipment experience matches the job? Scan your resume against the job description to see which specific devices you need to highlight.
ICU vs. General Floor vs. Neonatal Keywords
Different settings require different keyword strategies. Target your resume to match the role.
1. ICU / Critical Care Keywords
Focus on high-acuity patients, advanced monitoring, and life support.
| Keywords |
|---|
| Critical Care, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), ARDS Protocol, Prone Positioning, ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), Ventilator Weaning, Sedation Vacation, Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT), Rapid Response Team, Code Blue Response |
2. General Floor / Med-Surg Keywords
Focus on routine respiratory care and patient education.
| Keywords |
|---|
| Medical-Surgical, Oxygen Therapy, Nebulizer Treatments, Incentive Spirometry, Patient Education, Discharge Teaching, Bronchial Hygiene, Chest Physiotherapy (CPT), Airway Clearance |
3. Neonatal / Pediatric Keywords
Focus on infant care and specialized equipment.
| Keywords |
|---|
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric ICU (PICU), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Surfactant Administration, Infant Ventilation, High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV), Nasal CPAP (NCPAP) |
Certifications That Matter
Certifications are top-priority keywords. List them in both your summary and a dedicated section.
| Certification | Full Name |
|---|---|
| RRT | Registered Respiratory Therapist |
| CRT | Certified Respiratory Therapist |
| BLS | Basic Life Support |
| ACLS | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support |
| PALS | Pediatric Advanced Life Support |
| NRP | Neonatal Resuscitation Program |
| CPFT | Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist |
| RPFT | Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist |
Note: State licensure is required. Include "State Licensed Respiratory Therapist" or your specific state (e.g., "California RCP License").
Action Verbs for Respiratory Therapists
Replace weak verbs with clinical action words that demonstrate expertise.
| Action Type | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Clinical Care | Administered, Assessed, Monitored, Evaluated, Managed, Titrated, Adjusted |
| Procedures | Intubated, Extubated, Suctioned, Cannulated, Ventilated, Resuscitated |
| Analysis | Interpreted, Analyzed, Calculated, Diagnosed, Identified |
| Collaboration | Collaborated, Communicated, Coordinated, Consulted, Educated, Trained |
Where to Place These Keywords
1. Professional Summary
State your credential and specialty immediately.
Example:
"Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with 5 years of ICU experience specializing in mechanical ventilation, ABG interpretation, and ventilator weaning protocols."
2. Skills Section
Create a dedicated section with categorized keywords.
Example:
Clinical Skills: Mechanical Ventilation, ABG Interpretation, Airway Management, CPAP/BiPAP, Oxygen Therapy Certifications: RRT, BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP
3. Experience Bullets
Weave keywords into achievement statements with metrics.
Example:
"Managed mechanical ventilation for 15+ ICU patients daily, reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia rates by 20% through strict weaning protocols."
Resume Examples: Weak vs. Strong
Weak Resume Bullet (Generic)
❌ "Helped doctors with patient breathing problems."
Strong Resume Bullet (Keyword-Optimized)
✅ "Administered mechanical ventilation and interpreted ABG results for 20+ critical care patients daily, collaborating with pulmonologists to optimize ventilator settings and reduce ICU length of stay by 15%."
Weak Resume Bullet (Vague)
❌ "Used breathing machines and oxygen."
Strong Resume Bullet (Specific)
✅ "Managed BiPAP therapy and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) for patients with acute respiratory failure, titrating FiO2 based on continuous SpO2 and EtCO2 monitoring."
👉 Want to see how your bullets compare? Scan your resume with ResumeAdapter to get instant feedback on missing keywords.
Common RT Resume Mistakes
1. Using Only Acronyms
ATS may not recognize "ABG" without "Arterial Blood Gas." Spell it out first.
2. Listing Generic Skills
"Patient care" is too vague. Use "Patient Assessment," "Respiratory Assessment," or "Critical Care."
3. Ignoring Equipment Names
Saying "ventilators" is weak. List specific brands: "Servo-i," "Hamilton G5," "Puritan Bennett 840."
4. Missing Certifications
If you have ACLS but did not list it, ATS will not credit you for it.
5. Not Tailoring to the Role
ICU positions need different keywords than outpatient pulmonary rehab. Match your resume to each job.
Related Resources
Looking for more healthcare resume guides? Check out these related articles:
- Resume Keywords List: The Ultimate Hub - 50+ role-specific keyword guides
- Pharmacy Technician Resume Keywords - 60+ CPhT skills
- Nursing Resume Keywords - RN and LPN keyword lists
- Physical Therapist Resume Keywords - PT and PTA skills
- CNA Resume Keywords - Certified Nursing Assistant keywords
- Medical Assistant Resume Keywords - Clinical and administrative skills
Final CTA
Stop guessing which keywords you are missing.
👉 Scan Your Resume for Missing Keywords - Free
Get your ATS score, see exactly which respiratory therapy keywords you need, and fix your resume in minutes. Or rewrite your resume in 8 seconds with our AI-powered resume engine.
FAQ
How many keywords should I include on my respiratory therapist resume?
Use 15-25 highly relevant keywords that match the job description. Focus on your actual skills and certifications rather than stuffing keywords you cannot back up in an interview.
What is the difference between CRT and RRT?
CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) is the entry-level credential. RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) requires passing an advanced exam and is preferred by most employers. Always list your highest credential.
Should I include COVID-19 experience?
Yes. If you worked during the pandemic, keywords like "COVID-19 Response," "Prone Positioning," and "High-Acuity Patient Care" demonstrate valuable crisis experience.
How important is EMR experience?
Very important. List specific systems like "Epic," "Cerner," or "Meditech." Many hospitals filter for candidates with experience in their specific EMR.
Can I use the same resume for all RT jobs?
No. Tailor your resume for each position. An ICU job needs different keywords than a sleep lab or pulmonary rehab position. Use ResumeAdapter to compare your resume against each job description.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics - Respiratory Therapists, Resume Worded, Enhancv