Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic & advanced Respiratory services to Adults/Geriatric Patients - and if necessary the basic treatment of all age groups. The therapist plans - implements and evaluates the effectiveness of Respiratory care procedures and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including; mechanical ventilators - continuous positive pressure devices - pulmonary function - arterial blood gas equipment and oxygen monitors/analyzers.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor
• Please select the response below - that represents how you meet the education requirement
• 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
• 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: GS-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist: Experience or Education - Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have: 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 In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: Ability to collaboratively consult 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/141 - Part II - Appendix G11.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Physical demands require standing - walking - lifting patients - transporting respiratory equipment
• The work involves participating in lengthy - difficult procedures
• Above average dexterity is required to calibrate and operate the technical equipment
• Positioning and lifting patients may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions Work Environment: Registered Respiratory Therapists will perform in a work setting which may involve recurring exposure to infectious and contagious diseases
• Work may involve exposure to chemical and noxious odors
• Work may involve other risks which require special health and safety precautions as defined by safety standards.

Duties

• NOTE: This is an Open Continuous Announcement to establish a standing register of qualified candidates to refer as vacancies occur
• Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement
• The RRT uses accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care
• They place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning
• RRTs obtain - analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples
• They perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning - re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube - bag valve mask ventilation - assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment
• RRTs provide outpatient services - such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy - oxygen therapy and COPD care
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Incumbent will communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate
• Additionally - the incumbent will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values
• Incumbent will provide effective and relevant education to the patient - family - students - and facility staff when appropriate
• Incumbent will perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures
• Incumbent will perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards
• Incumbent will actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement
• The Therapist will comply with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices
• The Therapist will demonstrate working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocols
• Incumbent will maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice
• Incumbent assembles - checks - and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment
• Incumbent will participate in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy - maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility
• Incumbent will have a great deal of independence in the performance of their duties
• Incumbent will collect - review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records - care team - patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated
• Incumbent will be capable of performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients
• Example
• monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation - assisting with bronchoscopy - using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data - describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid base balance
• Incumbent will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment - history - lung auscultation - chest x-ray - pulse oximetry - etc
• Work Schedule: This Position supports 24/7 operations throughout the calendar year
• The primary work schedule is evening and nights
• Candidates must be available to work weekends and holidays
• Overtime and rotating shifts may be required based on operational needs
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required