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Registered Respiratory Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · Dallas, TX · 4 mo ago
HealthcareFull-time

About the role

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: Provide Respiratory Care to all Veterans, both in and out-patients.

The Organizational Location of the Position is: Respiratory Therapy Unit, Pulmonary Section, Medical Service, VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, TX.

Responsibilities

  • Set up, monitor, and troubleshoot volume ventilators in the ICU/SCI and general care areas for patients requiring mechanical ventilation, documenting in department records and patient charts.
  • Provide airway care for ICU/SCI and general care patients.
  • Measure respiratory compliance, tidal volume, and inspiratory force.
  • Administer oxygen and life support during CPR.
  • Assist physicians with elective intubation and perform emergency airway intubations during CODES.
  • Provide oxygen therapy and chart all modes of therapy and patient assessments in CPRS, Vista, and Essentris.
  • Administer E-Z Pap therapy, Metaneb, and Aerobeka.
  • Administer medication nebulizers to patients requiring aerosol medication.
  • Remove secretions from patient’s airways using a sterile suction catheter attached to a vacuum source.
  • Prepare and install basic respiratory equipment, including CPAP, BIPAP, flow meters, heaters, and tank regulators for patient use, evaluating equipment, operation, and explaining procedures where applicable.
  • Check patient equipment for proper operation in compliance with doctor’s orders.
  • Administer helium/oxygen mixtures for patients with airway obstruction.
  • Perform tracheal lavage and sputum inductions.
  • Perform chest percussion and postural drainage.
  • Evaluate a patient’s overall cardiopulmonary condition in relation to the modes of therapy being delivered to determine the need and/or effectiveness of treatment.
  • Transport ventilator-dependent patients on portable volume ventilators to radiology and other special procedures areas, staying with the patient and monitoring the ventilator.
  • Measure tracheal cuff pressures and record in CPRS and Essentris.
  • Provide a complete and thorough report to oncoming shifts.
  • Respond to STAT calls from nurses and physicians for equipment failure and malfunction, recognizing malfunctions and reporting to appropriate personnel.
  • Administer incentive spirometry per physician orders.
  • Change all equipment and ensure non-disposable items are sent to the SPD unit for sterilization and cleaning.
  • Ensure medications administered to patients are the correct dosage and within the expiration date.
  • Draw and analyze blood gases throughout the medical center.
  • Work nights and rotating weekends.

Requirements

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens.

Note: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 05, 2027. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 10, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until 03/05/2027. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days, after 90 days applicants will have to reapply.

Qualifications

  • Basic Requirements:
    • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
    • Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
    • Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT.
    • Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT.
    • Exception: RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below.
  • Grade Determinations:
    • Respiratory Therapist, GS-05: Experience, Education, Licensure and Credential.
    • Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07: Experience, Education, Licensure and Credential.
    • Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09: Experience, Education, Licensure and Credential.
    • Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11: Experience, Licensure and Credential.

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