Registered Respiratory Therapist

Indian Health Service; Gallup (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Health, dental, vision, and retirement plans

Paid leave

Job summary

Join the Indian Health Service as a Respiratory Therapist to provide critical respiratory care and education within American Indian and Alaska Native communities. You will perform assessments and treatments across various settings, managing complex respiratory needs.

The position requires a degree in respiratory therapy and relevant credentials. Benefits include health, dental, and retirement plans, along with paid leave for federal employees.

Qualifications

• Must have active and unrestricted registration as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• Experience with ventilator management and emergency inhalation therapy is preferred.
• U.S. citizenship and Selective Service registration required.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory therapy assessment, treatment, and monitoring services.
• Administer oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, and ventilator support.
• Educate patients and families about respiratory treatments.

Skills

Respiratory therapy assessment

Patient education

Critical care support

Blood gas analysis

Complex respiratory equipment

Education

2-year accredited associate’s degree in respiratory therapy

4-year bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy

Job description

Summary

Join the Indian Health Service as a Respiratory Therapist and provide life‑saving respiratory care, patient education, and advanced cardiopulmonary services in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory therapy assessment, treatment, and monitoring services for patients across the lifespan in inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and critical care settings.
• Administer oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, airway management, ventilator support, and other respiratory care modalities.
• Perform blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, and other diagnostic procedures to evaluate respiratory status.
• Respond to respiratory emergencies and provide critical care support, including CPR, airway management, and ventilator management.
• Educate patients, families, and staff regarding respiratory treatments, equipment use, and disease management.
• Operate, calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and infection control standards.
• Document care provided and participate in quality improvement and respiratory care program activities.

Basic Qualifications

Required training for GS‑4: 2‑year accredited associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. For GS‑5: 4‑year bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy. For GS‑7–GS‑8: at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (e.g., ventilator management, emergency inhalation therapy) or equivalent graduate education.

Preferred Qualifications

Active, unrestricted registration as a Registered Respiratory Therapist with the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) and a state license. Experience with complex respiratory equipment, blood gas analysis, and critical care settings.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Selective Service registration required for eligible males.
• Must pass E‑Verify employment verification check.
• Completion of a federal background investigation within five calendar days of issuance.
• Compliance with IHS Employee Immunization Policy regarding vaccine‑preventable diseases.
• Physical demands: walking, sitting, standing, reaching, and bending during patient assessment and treatment.
• Real ID compliance if ID is required for identification.

Conditions of Employment

On‑call hours or standby duty may be required. Probationary period may apply. This position is covered by the Federally‑insured Bargaining Unit and may require a 6‑month service agreement. Promotion potential to GS‑8 is at management’s discretion.

Benefits

As a federal employee, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, and paid leave.