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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. 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. (1) 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 in (a) (b) (c) (d) and (e): (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. (e) Failure to Obtain Credential: In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder. (2) Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care. Physical Standards: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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 Determination RT GS-5:Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. 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. Grade Determination RRT GS-7:Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 1. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. 2. 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. 3. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. 4. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. 5. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Grade Determination RRT GS-9:Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential; Candidates must have: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR, A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 1. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. 2. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. 3. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.4. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Grade Determination RRT GS-11:Experience, 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, and Hold an active license and RRT credential. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 1. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. 2. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. 3. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Selective Placement Factor: Must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish language. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11 Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0601 VHA. 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. Physical Requirements: Performs respiratory therapy requiring long periods of standing and walking. Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting to implement procedures are also required. Must be able to meet the physical demands of transportation of respiratory equipment, assembling, and disassembling. The employee must have the ability to lift and reposition patients as indicated for treatment. Creditable Experience: Experience is only creditable if credentialed as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or RRT, the experience is in respiratory care, pulmonary function testing or polysomnography and directly related to the position being filled. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) associated with current practice in paid employment as a CRT or RRT. ["Major duties, Performs basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results. Compares and evaluates the indications and contraindications for sleep studies. Identifies and distinguishes the indications, contraindications, and general hazards, complications in preparation, performance, and post core of bronchoscopy procedures. Performs arterial and venous sampling for blood analysis. Develops, administers, evaluates, and modifies respiratory core plans in the acute-care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. Explains the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital- based respiratory care protocols. Evaluates and treats patients in a variety of settings, using the appropriate respiratory care protocols. Completes the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members. Reviews and interprets pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests. Inspects the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies. Measures vital signs (blood pressure, heart rote, respiratory rate). Evaluates patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles. Performs basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, endotracheal intubation, arterial line placement and management, IV and/or midline placement and management. Participates in mass-casualty staffing to provide airway management, manual and mechanical ventilator life support, medical gas administration, aerosol delivery of bronchodilators and other agents In the resuscitation of respiratory and cardiovascular failure Manages monitoring system and airway devices. Makes treatment recommendations based on waveform graphics, pulmonary mechanics, and imaging studies. Identifies indications for circulatory gas exchange devices. Collaborates with other professionals in cure management built upon evidence-based medicine and clinical protocols. Delivers therapeutic interventions based on evidence-based medicine and clinical protocols. Assesses the need for therapies (medical, humidity, aerosol, lung expansion, airway clearance, airway management and mechanical ventilation) in all patient settings. Determines indications/contraindications for therapy. interviews and conduct physical examination of patients. Determines appropriateness of order and need for physician intervention. Selects and assemble equipment. Monitors patient's response to therapy. Recognizes and rectify equipment malfunction. Follows Standard Precautions for infection control. Recognizes complications and respond to adverse effects. Recommends therapy modifications. Assess therapy effectiveness. Documents therapy. Evaluates compressed gas cylinders, regulators and flow meters, oxygen conserving devices, high-flow air-entrainment systems, oxygen and air-flow-meter mixing systems, air/oxygen blenders, nasal cannulas, high-flow nasal cannulas, non-reservoir masks, reservoir masks, air-entrainment masks, nitric oxide therapy, helium/oxygen therapy, unheated passive humidifiers, active and passive heat-and-moisture exchangers (HM Es), heated humidifiers for medical gas delivery systems via mask, tracheal catheter, and artificial airways, non-medicated, large-volume nebulizers, heated and unheated, delivery of medication, nebulizers for continuous nebulization, pressurized metered-dose inhalers, dry-powder inhalers, physiologic action, adverse effects and doses and peak expiratory flow meters and inspiratory flow meters. Calculates and modifies drug dosing. Evaluates incentive spirometers (flow-based and volume-based), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) devices, bi-level positive-pressure breathing, positive expiratory therapy (PEP), etc. Performs the head-tilt chin-lift airway-opening maneuver and jaw lift without head extension maneuver Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts (7/24) 6:00 am - 2:30pm, 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm, 10:00 pm - 6:00 am, including Weekends, Holidays and On-Call as per service needs. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN8CCOE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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