Respiratory therapist interview questions can cover everything from clinical skills to communication style, and knowing how to answer them can set you apart from the start. When you know what to expect, you can walk into any interview feeling clear, confident, and prepared.
To help, we’ve compiled a well-rounded list of 25 common interview questions for respiratory therapists sourced from real RT interviews on Glassdoor, Indeed, and Reddit, along with insights from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and hiring managers across the country. Whether you’re applying for permanent jobs or travel nursing roles, these questions can help you prep smart and show up strong.
Remember: be yourself, be honest about what you know (and what you’re open to learning), and don’t forget you’re interviewing them, too. Is this a facility where you’ll thrive? Do their values align with yours?
Getting to Know You
These questions help interviewers learn more about you, such as what drives you, how you think, and whether you’ll be a good fit for the team.
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare? Be honest. Maybe it started with a personal experience, maybe it was the science behind it, or maybe you just knew you wanted to help people. Your “why” gives insight into your values and what keeps you going.
2. What do you enjoy most about being a respiratory therapist? Talk about what lights you up. Maybe it is managing vents, working with critical patients, or just being there for people when they need you most.
3. What are you looking for in your next role? Share what matters most to you, whether that is a supportive team, a fast-paced unit, more flexibility, or the chance to grow in a new area.
4. How do you handle starting in a new facility where you don’t know anyone? This one is especially important if you are a travel nurse. Find ways to show how you hit the ground running, ask smart questions, and connect with the team quickly.
Questions That Dig Into Your Respiratory Therapist Experience
These questions are all about how you have handled real situations. Interviewers want to know how you work under pressure and how you show up for your patients and team.
5. Walk me through a time you had to make a quick clinical decision. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Choose a moment that shows your clinical judgment and ability to stay cool when it counts.
6. Tell me about a time you had to educate a patient or family member. This one is about communication. Share a time when you explained something clearly, like explaining BiPAP settings or discussing home care instructions after discharge.
7. How would you handle disagreements with patients or coworkers? Focus on staying respectful, listening, and keeping the patient’s safety and comfort front and center. No one expects you to avoid conflict entirely, it is how you manage it that matters most.
8. What is your approach to collaborating with nurses and physicians? Whether you are on staff or traveling, care is a team sport. Talk about how you build trust quickly, speak up when needed, and keep things moving smoothly.
9. What is an achievement in your career that you are proud of? Think about a time when you made a real difference. Maybe you helped a long-term patient wean off a vent or helped streamline a protocol. Let your impact shine through your response.
10. How do you manage your time during a busy shift? This is your chance to show that you prioritize, multitask, and stay calm when the unit gets hectic.
11. What would you do if you noticed another RT not following proper protocol? Keep your answer focused on patient safety and professionalism. It is okay to say this would be a tough situation, but walk through how you would approach it respectfully and with the right steps.
Let’s Talk Clinical Knowledge
Questions like these test your technical knowledge, but they also show how you think on your feet and apply what you know in the moment.
12. How do you decide when a patient is ready to be weaned from mechanical ventilation?
Share your go-to indicators, such as spontaneous breathing trials, ABG results, vitals, and overall patient stability.
13. What is your step-by-step process for ventilator setup? Walk through it like you would with a new hire or student. Safety checks, settings, alarms, humidification, etc. The goal is to show that you are thorough and dependable.
14. What is the difference between pressure-controlled and volume-controlled ventilation? Keep it clear and easy to understand. Bonus if you give a quick example of when you might choose one over the other.
15. How do you manage a patient in acute respiratory distress? Talk about how you assess quickly, escalate care, and work with the rest of the team. This one is all about staying calm and thinking fast.
16. Explain how BiPAP works and the difference between BiPAP and CPAP. Give a clear explanation that shows you can teach others while reinforcing your clinical understanding.
Professionalism and Problem-Solving Questions
These are about how you carry yourself, adapt to change, and keep growing in your role.
17. How do you handle learning new equipment or protocols in a new setting? Travel RTs, this is your moment. Talk about being proactive—reading manuals, shadowing experienced staff, or asking thoughtful questions.
18. What skills do you have that make you a good respiratory therapist? This is a great time to discuss your technical and soft skills, like critical thinking, empathy, communication, and attention to detail.
19. How do you approach documentation? Let them know you take it seriously. Mention staying accurate, timely, and organized, and why that matters for patient safety and continuity of care.
20. How do you handle feedback? Share that you are open to it and willing to learn. If you have an example of how feedback helped you improve, include it.
21. What steps do you take to protect patient confidentiality?
Talk about being mindful of your surroundings, keeping records secure, and always following HIPAA guidelines. Show that trust matters to you and that you take patient privacy seriously.
Equipment, Systems, and Tech Know-How
Every facility does things a little differently. These equipment-specific respiratory therapist interview questions help gauge how quickly you can adjust to new tools and systems.
22. What ventilators are you most familiar with? Name the models you have used (like Servo i, Hamilton G5, or V60) and how confident you feel with each. Be honest if there are any you are still learning.
23. Are you comfortable with electronic medical records (EMRs)? Which ones have you used? List the EMRs you have experience with—Epic, Cerner, Meditech, etc.—and talk about how quickly you can learn new systems.
24. Do you have experience with high-flow nasal cannula, nitric oxide, or heliox? Talk about which ones you have used and in what settings. If you have not used one of them yet, mention that you are open to training.
25. What does patient-centered care mean to you?
Share how you listen to your patients, advocate for them, and treat them as individuals, not just cases.
Prep Like a Pro and Land the RT Job
Interviews are not just about rattling off your skills; they are your chance to show who you are, how you work, and how you care.
These 25 common interview questions for respiratory therapists are based on what real respiratory therapists have seen in interviews and what hiring managers say they are looking for. Take a little time to prep your stories, think through your answers, and remember—you’ve got this! If you’re ready for a new opportunity, whether a permanent or travel respiratory therapist assignment, Host Healthcare is here to assist. Sign up today and connect with one of our recruiters. They’ll be by your side every step of the way, from finding you the right job to helping you ace your interview!
