Registered Respiratory Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 57,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal healthcare organization in Dallas is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to provide essential respiratory care to veterans. The role includes managing ventilators, assisting with intubations, and troubleshooting respiratory equipment. Qualified candidates must possess an RRT credential and demonstrate proficiency in respiratory therapies. This position requires strong clinical skills and the ability to collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Competitive compensation is offered, and work will involve rotating shifts including nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Must possess RRT credential for registered positions.
• Experience with mechanical ventilation and airway management.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care to patients including ventilator management.
• Assist physicians during intubation and emergency situations.
• Monitor and troubleshoot respiratory equipment.

Skills

Therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care

Analyzing physiological specimens

Collaborative consultation

Assessing oxygenation and ventilation

Airway management

Evaluating therapeutic modalities

Education

Respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC

Master of Science degree in respiratory care

RRT credential

Tools

CPAP equipment

IPAP equipment

Ventilators

Job description

Summary

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.

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 (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential; (b) Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT; (c) The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment; (d) RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received; (e) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT; (f) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment; (g) Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources Office staff will provide RTs in writing the requirement to 1) obtain the RRT credential, 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired, and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline
  • English Language Proficiency: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
  • Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
  • Grade Determinations: Respiratory Therapist - GS-05 Experience; none beyond the basic requirements
  • Education and Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4(d)(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential
  • Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-07 Experience: Must possess an RRT credential
• Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills and Abilities (GS-05):
  • Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
  • Skill in analyzing physiological specimens (arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, end tidal CO2 monitoring, basic spirometry, and other basic diagnostic procedures)
  • Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes
  • Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
  • Ability to perform basic airway management (artificial airways and mechanical ventilation)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist – GS-09 Experience:
  • One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
  • Or a Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential
  • Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills and Abilities:
    • Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
    • Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes
    • Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
    • Ability to perform airway management (artificial airways and mechanical ventilation)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist – GS-11 Experience:
  • One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
  • Hold an active license and RRT credential
  • Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills and Abilities:
    • Ability to collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes
    • Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities
    • Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management
• Preferred Experience: Experience, Education, Licensure, and Registration:
  • Must possess RRT credential
  • Experience with interpreting arterial blood gas results and coordinating patient care
  • Ability to perform airway management (artificial airways and mechanical ventilation)
  • Ability to perform therapeutic modalities in respiratory care
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11
• Physical Standards:
  • Work is sedentary
  • Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
  • Work may also require walking/standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
  • Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Duties

• 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.
• Duty may include but are not limited to: setting up, monitoring, and troubleshooting volume ventilators in the ICU/SCI and general care areas for patients that require mechanical ventilation.
• This includes both in the department records and the patient's chart.
• Provide airway care for both the ICU/SCI and general care patients.
• Measure respiratory compliance – tidal volume and inspiratory force.
• Providing oxygen and life support to patients during CPR.
• Assisting physicians with elective intubation.
• Perform emergency airway intubations during CODES.
• Provide oxygen therapy.
• Chart all modes of therapy and patient assessments in CPRS – Vista and Essentris.
• Administration of E-Z Pap therapy – Metaneb and Aerobeka.
• Administration of 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 – CPAP, BIPAP, flow meters, heaters, and tank regulators for patient's use including evaluation of equipment – operation and explanation of procedures to the patient where applicable.
• Check patient's equipment to verify proper operation in compliance with doctor's orders.
• Administration of 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 relationship 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.
• This requires 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 the oncoming shift.
• Respond to all STAT calls from nurses and physicians for equipment failure and malfunction.
• Must be able to recognize when equipment is malfunctioning and report to chief – assistant chief – or charge therapist.
• Verify all physician orders before therapy is administered to make certain that all orders are correct.
• Instruct patients how to improve their ability to breathe during times of respiratory distress.
• Administer incentive spirometry per physician orders.
• Change all equipment and make certain that all non-disposable items are sent to the SPD unit for sterilization and cleaning.
• Make sure that all medication administered to patient is the correct dosage and within the expiration date.
• Draw and analyze blood gases throughout the medical center.
• Work Schedule: Nights and rotating weekends. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.