Your first step to landing your dream respiratory therapist (RT) job is preparing yourself to ace your interview. Taking the time to think about the questions you’ll be asked and how you’ll answer them will not only help boost your confidence but also show employers that you’re a dedicated and passionate healthcare professional.
In this blog, we’ll cover all the interview essentials, including helpful tips and tricks. We’ve even added examples of respiratory therapist interview questions and sample answers to help you prepare.
Table of contents
- Common respiratory therapist interview questions and sample answers
- Questions you can ask your interviewer
- Best tips for your interview
- Search for open respiratory therapist jobs with Favorite
Common respiratory therapist interview questions and sample answers
In most interviews, you can expect a mix of questions. Some will focus on your technical know-how and soft skills, while others may be asked to help the interviewer learn more about your personality or how you handle certain situations.
Technical
What is your approach to patient care?
Your interviewer is likely asking this question to get a sense of how patient-centered your mindset is, how advanced your clinical judgement is, and how well you adapt to different needs when providing care.
Sample answer: My approach to patient care is centered on compassion and clinical precision, where I focus on tailoring care plans to each individual patient’s unique needs. I also prioritize open communication with my team to ensure safety and effectiveness.
What types of ventilators are you familiar with, and how do they differ?
This technical question is important because it allows you to demonstrate your familiarity with and understanding of the different ventilators used in the field on a daily basis.
Sample answer: The ventilators I’m familiar with are the Puritan Bennett 980, the Servo-U, and the Hamilton G5. They all differ in their features and modes. For example, the PB980 offers advanced lung protection modes, while the Hamilton G5 includes intelligent weaning tools and real-time monitoring.
What steps do you take to ensure infection control during respiratory therapy procedures?
Since every employee is expected to follow safety and infection control protocols, asking this question helps an interviewer to determine whether you understand and adhere to these standards, or if you might pose a risk to patient and staff safety.
Sample answer: To ensure infection control during respiratory therapy procedures, I sterilize my hands before and after contacting each patient, I adhere to PPE protocols, and I utilize single-use equipment as much as possible. I also make sure ventilator circuits are properly maintained and replaced according to guidelines to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
What documentation systems have you used, and how do you ensure accurate charting?
Documentation is a big part of respiratory therapy. Asking about your familiarity with electronic charting systems helps interviewers check you’re able to stay on top of your paperwork and avoid delays.
Sample answer: In the past, I’ve used a couple of different documentation systems, such as Cerner and Meditech, to chart procedures and patient progress. To ensure accuracy, I document in real time as much as possible, and I also double-check my entries before submitting them.
Soft skills
What would you say are the most important qualities for a respiratory therapist to possess?
This question helps the interviewer understand not only the qualities you’ll bring to the role but also the values you prioritize, making it easier to assess whether there’s a strong alignment in expectations and workplace culture.
Sample answer: I think the most important qualities to have as a respiratory therapist include empathy, adaptability, attention to detail, and communication. To me, these qualities don’t just help you gain trust with your patients, but also with your healthcare team.
What experience do you have working with different populations and age groups?
An interviewer will ask you this question to understand your experience working with different patient groups, which in turn will help them decide if you’d be a good fit for their facility.
Sample answer: Over the years, I’ve cared for patients across various age groups, including pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations. I tailor my clinical approach to meet the specific needs of each group and adjust my communication style to ensure both patients and their caregivers clearly understand the treatment plans in place.
Tell me about a time you had to adapt quickly to a change in a patient’s condition or treatment plan.
This is an essential question for any interviewer to ask because it helps demonstrate what your problem-solving and adaptability skills are like.
Sample answer: There was an instance once where I was working a shift in the ICU, and one of my patients began showing signs of respiratory distress out of nowhere. I quickly analyzed their condition and collaborated with my team to adjust the settings on the ventilator, which stabilized the patient effectively.
Describe a situation where you went above and beyond for a patient.
This question is designed to highlight your level of dedication to patient care and demonstrate how far you're willing to go to support a patient’s well-being beyond routine responsibilities.
Sample answer: I recently had a pediatric patient who was nervous about using a nebulizer, so I took extra time to explain the process in a way that they could understand it, to the point where it didn’t seem scary. I even turned it into a game to make them feel more comfortable and ended up building trust with my patient so they could feel safe and supported.
Personality
Why did you pursue a career as a respiratory therapist?
An interviewer will ask you this question to understand why you wanted to become a respiratory therapist in the first place.
Sample answer: I pursued a career as a respiratory therapist because I wanted a career where I could make a direct impact on people’s lives. Helping my patients breathe easier, especially in critical moments, is extremely meaningful to me.
How do you handle feedback?
Another very telling question to gauge the kind of person you are is how well you handle feedback. In healthcare, you might receive constructive feedback frequently, so it’s best to be open to it, as it’ll only help you grow in your career.
Sample answer: I see feedback as a chance to grow and learn more about respiratory therapy. When I’m given feedback, I like to reflect on it and apply it to improve my clinical skills as much as possible.
How would your former colleagues or supervisors describe you?
This interview question is beneficial to employers because it lets them see how not only your peers view you as a healthcare professional, but also how you perceive your own self.
Sample answer: I would think that my former colleagues and supervisors would describe me as reliable, supportive, and calm under pressure. I always make it a point to be available and collaborative whenever I can with my coworkers.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
An employer might ask this to see what you think your timeline at their organization might look like. If you’re interviewing for a permanent position, they will especially want to hear about your future career plans.
Sample answer: I see myself advancing in the field, possibly specializing in a certain area or mentoring newer therapists, while continuing to provide hands-on patient care.
Situational
Describe a time when you made a mistake at work. What did you learn from it?
Everyone makes mistakes, and your interviewer will understand that. This question is really about how you respond to challenges, how you take accountability, learn from experience, and grow professionally.
Sample answer: Once during a busy shift, I accidentally missed a scheduled breathing treatment for a patient. Thankfully, I quickly realized I had made a mistake and was able to administer the treatment as quickly as possible and informed the care team. This mistake taught me the importance of staying organized and double-checking my tasks, especially during hectic shifts, to ensure patient safety.
How do you handle high-intensity situations?
Since healthcare workers often operate in high-stress situations, it’s important for your interviewer to know that you’re able to act quickly and keep calm to provide quality patient care.
Sample answer: When I’m faced with highly intense situations, I remember to stay calm, prioritize urgent tasks, communicate effectively with my team, and rely on my training and experience to act quickly. During these stressful times, I always make it a point to keep patients' care and safety at the center of my decision-making.
A family member is upset and demanding answers about a patient’s respiratory care. How do you respond?
Situations like this are bound to arise at some point in a respiratory therapist’s career. It’s important to have a clear strategy for handling them and be able to showcase this strategy in your job interview.
Sample answer: I make sure to remain calm and acknowledge the family's concerns in a compassionate and understanding way. I provide a clear explanation of the patient’s respiratory care in a way that helps them feel heard and supported. If needed, I involve the physician or nurse to ensure they receive complete and accurate information.
A patient is refusing necessary respiratory treatment. How do you approach the situation?
Patient refusal of care is something every respiratory therapist is likely to encounter. Your interviewer will want to know how you are likely to respond in these situations.
Sample answer: When this happens, I first listen to their concerns, as well as try to explain the importance of the treatment and how it supports their recovery. I find that by listening to their concerns, it builds trust and makes the patient more comfortable. If they still refuse treatment, I involve other members of their care team to help address their fears.
Looking for more interview tips?
Check out our nurse interview questions and answers blog for additional insights and strategies to help you shine in any healthcare role!
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Questions you can ask your interviewer
Bringing thoughtful questions to your interview shows genuine interest and preparation. Writing them down ahead of time can help you stay focused and ensure you don’t forget what you wanted to ask, especially if nerves kick in. Below you’ll find good questions to ask in your interview:
- What patient volume does this facility handle?
- How do you measure success in this role?
- What is the biggest challenge someone in this role would face?
- What are the biggest challenges the department has faced in the last month?
- Are there opportunities for professional development?
- Do you offer an employee assistance program?
- What are the next steps in the interview process?
- How would you describe this facility’s culture?
- What would a typical day look like for someone in this role?
Best tips for your interview
STAR method
When answering interview questions, we recommend utilizing the STAR method. STAR stands for:
- Situation
- Task
- Action
- Result
The STAR method keeps your answers clear and structured, guiding you to share relevant context, your role, what you did, and the outcome. This approach helps you stay focused and avoid rambling, which is easily done when you are under pressure.
Take notes
You should always have a pen and paper with you during interviews so you can jot down any important information. Having notes with you also allows you to write down questions you want to ask your interviewer ahead of time, so you don’t forget anything.
Dress accordingly
Dressing in business professional attire is often recommended when interviewing for respiratory therapist jobs. Your outfit and overall appearance should be presentable, which will make you feel more confident.
Be early
Arrive at your interview at least 15 minutes early. Punctuality shows respect for the interviewer’s time and demonstrates that you’re serious, reliable, and genuinely interested in the position. Arriving early also gives you a moment to collect your thoughts, review key points, and start the conversation with confidence.
Search for open respiratory therapist jobs with Favorite
We hope this blog helps you stand out from other candidates and land your next respiratory therapist job. If you’re looking to start your next respiratory therapist role with Favorite, start searching for our open jobs today. We look forward to connecting with you!
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