Career Central

The incumbent is under the supervision of the Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in all respiratory care therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and other related functions in accordance with the guidelines and protocols based on the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Respiratory Care. 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. 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. 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. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level. (b) 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. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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). 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 (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(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 (a) Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures. iii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iv. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. v. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09 (a) Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 (a) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 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-5 to GS-11. ["The Registered Respiratory Therapist assigned to the inpatient area is an essential member of the patient care team. He/she will collaborate with all members of the health care team to deliver quality care. The inpatient therapist's specialized duties will include:\n- Evaluate and treat patients in a variety of settings using the appropriate respiratory care protocols\n- Complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members\n- Measure vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate\n- Measure and document oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during sleep, ambulation, and exercise)\n- Evaluate patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles and inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies\n- Obtain medical, surgical, family, social, behavioral, and occupational history, and other historical information incident to the purpose of the current complaint\n- Review and interpret pulmonary function studies (spirometry), lung volumes and diffusion studies\n- Initiates, evaluates and educates on the use of Capnography. Calibrates, trouble-shoots and trends results\n- Aerosol Therapy\n- Oxygen Therapy\n- Work with home oxygen vendor to set up new oxygen patients when home oxygen clinic is closed\n- Volume Expansion Therapy\n- All aspects of mechanical ventilation (invasive and non-invasive)\n- Intra-hospital transport of critically ill patients being mechanically ventilated (invasive or non-invasive)\n- Respond to all Code Blue situations and Rapid Response calls\n- Intubation assist\n- Extubation\n- Blood gas procurement for analysis via arterial puncture\n- Review and interpret arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests\nand recommend appropriate interventions and/or adjustments in therapy based on results\n- Level II OORAM certification\n- Total airway care and management, including the care and management of artificial airways\n- Bronchoscopy prep and assist\n- Bedside diagnostic respiratory testing\n- Total tracheostomy care\n- Accompany providers when rounding in ICU on patients receiving respiratory interventions\n- Participate in daily inter-disciplinary rounds\n- Recognize changes in patient's condition and respond appropriately\n- Monitor and thoroughly document effectiveness and patient response to all therapies\n- Management of Acute and Chronic Respiratory Disease including understanding the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases.\n- Able to develop, administer, evaluate, reevaluate, and modify respiratory care plans both the acute and home setting utilizing evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines to provide quality care.\n- Communicate and educate to engage and empower patients with respiratory disease\n- Communicate effectively and efficiently with other members of the health care team on patient response to therapy, change in condition, and recommend alternative therapies when appropriate\n- Set up, cleaning, calibration, and troubleshooting of all respiratory equipment\n- Reports concerns/problems according to policy and procedure Work Schedule: The tour of duty for this position is will be 8 and 12-hour shifts. Flexibility will be required in tours and days of week; to include day, evening and/or overnights with weekend and holiday rotation. Additional information may be provided during the interview process.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]