Respiratory Therapy Apprentice Program - Application Deadline: April 17th, 2026 at Norton Healthcare – Louisville, Kentucky

Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Job Category: Respiratory
Job ID: 153619
Facility Group: Norton System Services
Job Description

Responsibilities

The Respiratory Therapy Apprentice Application Deadline is April 17th, 2026.

Norton Healthcare Center for Allied Health is looking for exceptional student respiratory therapists for its Respiratory Therapy Apprentice Program. This program reinforces respiratory education, patient safety, awareness of the professional respiratory therapist role, and an appreciation of organizational structures and operations within a healthcare care setting. The Respiratory Therapy Apprentice Program is a three tiered, paid program lasting between 18 and 24 months. Apprentices in the program gain critical hands-on experience at various Norton Healthcare and Norton Children's hospitals, where they have the opportunity to gain knowledge while also giving patient care time back to the licensed respiratory therapist.

Important Dates:

• March 16th - April 17th : Application period
• April 20th - May 1st: Initial phone interviews
• May 4th - May 19th: Interviews with Center for Allied Health Education Leadership
• May 20th - May 22nd: Offers Extended
• Deadline to accept offer : May 22nd
• June 15, 2026: Respiratory Apprenticeship Program start date

*Please note that these dates are subject to change.

The Respiratory Therapy Apprentice Program is:

• The first hospital-based respiratory training program in Greater Louisville.
• A model of intentional investing in the student respiratory therapist through three tiers: discover, culture and confidence.
• A paid apprentice program providing educational and clinical experiences for 18 to 24 months in preparation for a licensed respiratory therapist role after graduation.

Tier I: Respiratory Explorer

• Discover: A paid shadowing opportunity covering a variety of respiratory care areas
• 32 hours of observation with 12 of those hours in pediatrics
• Allows exposure to different respiratory patient populations to align with clinical immersion in apprentice (Tier II)
• Requirement: Must be actively enrolled in a college program completing RT prerequisites.

Tier II: Respiratory Apprentice

• Culture: Gaining limited hands-on experience at a chosen Norton Healthcare location
• Training on electrocardiogram, equipment tech, medical gas management and transport assistance
• Helping support the department as a whole and being immersed in the culture at the facility level
• Working a minimum of 20 hours a month
• Requirements: Must have completed the explorer rotations and education requirements and be actively pursuing enrollment into a respiratory therapy program.

Tier III: Student Practitioner

• Confidence: Students will work semi-autonomously within the scope allowed by their student respiratory therapist license issued by the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care.
• A paid apprenticeship providing educational and clinical experiences for 18 to 24 months in preparation for a licensed respiratory therapist role after graduation.

How to apply:

To submit your application to the Respiratory Therapy Apprentice Program, apply to this posting with your most current resume.

For questions regarding the application process, please email Recruitment@NortonHealthcare.org.

For more in-depth questions regarding the program, please reach out to Respiratory Therapy Apprentice Program Leadership at AHApprentice@nortonhealthcare.org.

Qualifications

Required:

Must be currently enrolled in a college program pursuing a degree in Respiratory Therapy.

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Screening requirements:

• Background check
• License & education verification
• Employment reference verification
• Drug Screen

Norton Healthcare offers a competitive benefit package, including:

• Paid vacation, sick days and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• 403b/401k retirement plan
• View more: Benefits Guide
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Discover meaningful career opportunities at NortonHealthcareCareers.com.
Norton Healthcare Careers - Together, We Will.

Norton Healthcare is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients from throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. The not-for-profit hospital and health care system is Louisville's second largest employer, with more than 20,000 employees.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Norton Healthcare strives to make the Norton Healthcare Careers site accessible to all job seekers. If you're a candidate with a disability, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your needs during the application process.

If you have a disability and need to request a reasonable accommodation, email recruitment@nortonhealthcare.org

Equal Employment Opportunity is the law.