Registered Respiratory Therapist

Job Title

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. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Setting up, monitoring, and trouble-shooting volume ventilators in the ICU/SCI and general care areas for those 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.
• Charting 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.
• Removes secretions from patient's airways using a sterile suction catheter attached to a vacuum source.
• Prepares and installs 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.
• Checks patient's equipment to verify proper operation in compliance with doctor's orders.
• Administration of helium/oxygen mixtures for patients with airway obstruction.
• Performs tracheal lavage and sputum inductions.
• Performs chest percussion and postural drainage
• Evaluates a patient's overall cardiopulmonary condition in relationship to the modes of therapy being delivered in order to determine the need and/or effectiveness of treatment.
• Transports ventilator dependent patients on portable volume ventilators to radiology and other special procedures areas. This requires staying with the patient and monitoring the ventilator.
• Measuring tracheal cuff pressures and records in CPRS and Essentris.
• Provide a complete and thorough report to oncoming shift.
• Responds to all STAT calls from nurses and physicians for equipment failure and malfunction.
• Must be able to recognize when equipment is malfunctioning and reports to chief, assistant chief, or charge therapist.
• Verifies all physician orders before therapy is administered to make certain that all orders are correct.
• Instructs patients how to improve their ability to breathe during times of respiratory distress.
• Administers incentive spirometry per physician orders.
• Changes all equipment and makes certain that all non-disposable items are sent to the SPD unit for sterilization and cleaning.
• Make sure that all medication administered to patient are the correct dosage and within the expiration date.
• Draws and analyzes 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

US Department of Veterans Affairs