Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) in San Antonio, Texas at Prairie Quest Consulting

PQC is accepting applications for experienced, civilian Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) to provide comprehensive respiratory care for adult, pediatric, and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients at the Brook Army Medical Center (San Antonio, Texas).

The ideal candidate will possess strong clinical assessment skills, experience with advanced respiratory therapies, and the ability to respond effectively in critical care and emergency situations while collaborating with a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Hourly Pay:
$37.00/hour & $3,000 Quarterly Bonus eligibility

Duty Hours: Days or Nights

Qualifications

Education

• Associate's degree required.

• Graduate of a Respiratory Therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
• Must have completed an approved Respiratory Therapy educational program recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) or another approved accrediting organization.

*Graduates of a U.S. military Pulmonary Respiratory Therapist program are also eligible.

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience within the last two (2) years as a Respiratory Therapist.
• Experience providing respiratory care to pediatric, adult, and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) patients, including the care of premature infants.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Certified Respiratory Therapist will:

• Perform comprehensive patient respiratory assessments, including review of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic findings.
• Select, assemble, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment, supplies, and therapeutic agents appropriate for patient care.
• Continuously monitor respiratory status using auscultation, percussion, observation, pulse oximetry, capnography, vital signs, and other clinical assessment techniques.
• Interpret arterial blood gas (ABG) results and recommend appropriate respiratory interventions.
• Collect arterial blood samples through arterial puncture and arterial line sampling in accordance with College of American Pathologists standards.
• Process blood samples utilizing Point-of-Care Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analyzers.
• Identify and respond proactively to adverse respiratory events.
• Document all patient assessments, treatments, interventions, and outcomes accurately and timely in the MHS GENESIS electronic health record.
• Manage artificial airways, including endotracheal tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and laryngeal mask airways (LMAs), including insertion support, maintenance, suctioning, and troubleshooting.
• Initiate, monitor, adjust, and discontinue conventional and advanced mechanical ventilation, including high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.
• Administer respiratory medications through nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers, and other inhalation delivery systems.
• Administer and manage oxygen therapy utilizing nasal cannulas, face masks, Venturi masks, T-piece systems, CPAP devices, oxygen tents, and related equipment.
• Perform chest physiotherapy, endotracheal suctioning, and manual ventilation for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.
• Provide manual ventilation during emergency resuscitation and routine airway procedures.
• Set up, operate, and monitor inhaled nitric oxide delivery systems.
• Operate, calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain advanced respiratory therapy and life-support equipment.
• Utilize transcutaneous monitoring technology to assess ventilation and perfusion.
• Respond rapidly and effectively to emergency airway situations and cardiopulmonary emergencies.
• Educate patients on respiratory therapies, including incentive spirometry.
• Collaborate effectively with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure high-quality patient care.
• Communicate professionally with patients, families, and healthcare staff.
• Participate in departmental meetings, quality improvement initiatives, and committee activities.
• Assist in the orientation and training of newly hired respiratory therapists and other healthcare personnel.
• Provide classroom and clinical instruction to active-duty Respiratory Therapy students, including respiratory therapy principles, procedures, equipment operation, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) processes.

Required Skills

• Strong critical thinking and clinical decision-making abilities.
• Knowledge of adult, pediatric, and neonatal respiratory care practices.
• Proficiency with advanced respiratory equipment and life-support systems.
• Ability to function effectively in fast-paced, high-acuity clinical environments.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and documentation skills.
• Commitment to patient safety, quality care, and evidence-based practice.

Work Environment

The Certified Respiratory Therapist will provide care in a variety of clinical settings, including intensive care units, emergency response situations, inpatient units, and Level III NICU environments. The position requires the ability to respond quickly to urgent clinical situations while maintaining professionalism, accuracy, and compassionate patient care.