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Virtual Rn Jobs in Santa Barbara, CA (NOW HIRING)

Virtual Rn information

See Santa Barbara, CA salary details

$663

$1.5K

$2.8K

How much do virtual rn jobs pay per week?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average weekly pay for virtual rn in Santa Barbara, CA is $1,545.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,294.23 and $1,636.54 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Virtual RN?

A Virtual RN, or Virtual Registered Nurse, is a licensed nurse who provides patient care and support remotely using digital communication tools such as video calls, phone calls, and secure messaging. Virtual RNs can perform tasks like patient assessments, care coordination, health education, and monitoring chronic conditions without being physically present. They often work in telehealth settings, supporting patients at home or in clinical environments by collaborating with onsite healthcare teams. This role helps improve access to healthcare, especially for patients in rural or underserved areas.

What does a Virtual RN do?

Telemedicine is a branch of telehealth, which allows virtual RNs to use electronic information and technology to treat patients. As a virtual RN, your responsibilities are to monitor and care for patients remotely as well as support nurses who are in actual facilities. You work from home or another remote location, using a computer, phone, and various software and programs to review medical records and assist with the assessment and treatment of a patient. Your duties are similar to those of a regular nurse, minus the physical interactions. A virtual nurse may also work in other areas of health care, including telephone triage, insurance claims, and health informatics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Virtual RN?

To thrive as a Virtual RN, you need a current RN license, strong clinical judgment, and experience in remote patient monitoring or telehealth settings. Familiarity with telemedicine platforms, electronic health records (EHRs), and secure communication tools is essential. Excellent communication, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities help build patient trust and ensure effective care delivery from a distance. These skills enable Virtual RNs to provide safe, high-quality care and maintain patient engagement in a digital healthcare environment.

How does a Virtual RN effectively collaborate with on-site healthcare teams to ensure continuity of patient care?

A Virtual RN works closely with on-site nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals by utilizing secure communication platforms, electronic health records, and scheduled video conferences. This collaboration ensures that patient assessments, care plans, and updates are effectively shared and coordinated. Virtual RNs often participate in interdisciplinary team meetings remotely and provide real-time support for patient triage, education, and clinical documentation. Strong communication skills and familiarity with telehealth technologies are vital to maintaining seamless care transitions and high-quality patient outcomes.

What is the difference between Virtual Rn vs Telehealth Nurse?

AspectVirtual RnTelehealth Nurse
CredentialsRegistered Nurse (RN) licenseRegistered Nurse (RN) license
Work EnvironmentRemote, often from home, providing patient assessments and educationRemote, providing clinical advice and patient monitoring via telecommunication
Industry UsageHealthcare, telemedicine companies, hospitals

Both Virtual Rn and Telehealth Nurse roles require an RN license and involve remote patient care. Virtual Rns often focus on patient education and assessments, while Telehealth Nurses may provide clinical advice and monitor patient conditions remotely. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, but Virtual Rn emphasizes a broader scope of remote nursing services.

What are the most commonly searched types of Rn jobs in Santa Barbara, CA?

The most popular types of Rn jobs in Santa Barbara, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Virtual Rn jobs in Santa Barbara, CA?

For Virtual Rn jobs in Santa Barbara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Virtual Rn jobs in Santa Barbara, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Virtual Rn jobs in Santa Barbara, CA are:

What cities near Santa Barbara, CA are hiring for Virtual Rn jobs?

Cities near Santa Barbara, CA with the most Virtual Rn job openings:

Infographic showing various Virtual Rn job openings in Santa Barbara, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 32% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 66% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,383 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Manager, Respiratory Care

Cottage Health

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

$142K - $224K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Cottage Health rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description


The Clinical Manager of Respiratory Care is a licensed respiratory professional responsible for supervising clinical applications, pulmonary function testing, blood gas analysis, and equipment maintenance. The role provides immediate supervision of the day-to-day respiratory care operations, ensuring safe, effective, compliant, and high-quality respiratory services across the continuum of care. The position is accountable for clinical and technical oversight, operational leadership, workforce development, shared governance, and financial stewardship.
QUALIFICATIONS
Level of Education
  • Minimum: Bachelor of Science Degree or be currently enrolled in an accredited BSRC or BSRT program, with an anticipated graduation date within an established time frame.
  • Preferred: Master of Science Degree, preferably in Respiratory Care or in a chemical, physical or biological science.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations
Minimum:
  • Current California Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license or
  • California Registered Nurse (RN) license with specialized training, with documented delegation of clinical oversight.
  • American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • At least one advanced credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) such as:
    • Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS)
    • Neonatal Pediatric Specialty (RRT-NPS)
    • Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)
    • Asthma Educator - Certified (AE-C)

Preferred:
  • American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Life Support (PALS)
  • American Heart Association (AHA) Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
  • Active participant in both the California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC) and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), including membership in AARC's Leadership & Management Section.

Technical Requirements
Minimum:
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of respiratory care principles, theories, and practices, including infection prevention and control, with clinical expertise across all areas of respiratory care.
  • Proficient in administering prescribed respiratory medications and therapeutic interventions in accordance with standards of practice.
  • Proficient in basic computer applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) and Zoom for communication, documentation, and data management.

Preferred:
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) and Zoom, including use for presentations, data analysis, reporting, and virtual collaboration.

Years of Related Work Experience
Minimum:
  • Three (3) years of experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, including experience in critical care and/or neonatal/ pediatric care, with relevant clinical experience maintained within the past two (2) years.
  • Demonstrated progressive supervisory or leadership responsibility within a respiratory care or closely related clinical environment.

Preferred:
  • Three (3) years of supervisory or management experience in Respiratory Care or a comparable healthcare setting.

About Us
Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, CA, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion. Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first. We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.
*Pay for non-physician positions is determined based on related years of experience and internal equity. Eligible employees may also receive additional forms of compensation, including shift differentials, on-call pay, incentive pay, and bonus opportunities, where applicable. Manager and above positions may participate in Cottage Health's annual management incentive program. Physician compensation is determined based upon specialty and may include bonus potential. For more information on our comprehensive Total Rewards offerings, please visit https://cottagehealth.org/careers/total-rewards.
If you're already a Cottage Health employee, please apply on this link only.

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