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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. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above in paragraph 4 a-g and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment: Registered Respiratory Therapist, 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. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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. Assignments. This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. References: VA Handbook 5005 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 G-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019. ["The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for independently administering complex respiratory therapy treatment to ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. The respiratory therapist uses judgment in identifying and selecting the most appropriate procedures, equipment, and techniques for application to specific cases. The therapist identifies and analyzes factors related to equipment operation and patient responses to discern their interrelationship. a. Consult literature on a regular basis (e.g. AARC Times, Respiratory Care, etc.) to stay acquainted with alternative modes of therapy and keep technically up to date. b. Cleans, sets up, and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as oxygen equipment, mechanical ventilators, CPAP/BIPAP machine, and therapeutic gas administration apparatus for critical care patients. c. Follows all respiratory care Sputum Collection for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB), Rapid Response Team (RRT), and ventilator wearing protocols to include Bronchodilator Therapy Protocol and Oxygen Protocols. d. Performs diagnostic tests to include arterial blood gas analysis, spirometry, pulse oximetry, weaning parameters, peak flow, end tidal C02, metabolic, and negative inspiratory force. e. Performs or assists with bedside bronchoscopies to include right BALs as ordered by a pulmonary physician. f. Performs all respiratory care procedures throughout the medical center, to include sputum collection for AFB, therapeutic aerosols, metered dose inhalers, oxygen therapy, chest physical therapy, and breathing exercises. g. Evaluates efficacies of therapeutic modalities. h. Initially and continuously assess the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination and respiratory monitoring and diagnostic equipment. i. Administers oxygen involving the use of variety of standard respiratory equipment to include low flow and high flow systems. j. Administers oxygen involving the use of variety of standard respiratory equipment to include low flow and high flow systems. k. Performs airway and tube care on patients including nasotracheal and endotracheal suctioning, cleaning and securing the tracheostomy and endotracheal tube and site, changing endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes per physician's order, monitoring tube cuff pressure, and inspecting equipment and patient to ensure proper functioning of the ventilator. l. Provides patient education for inpatients, outpatients, and home care pulmonary rehabilitation to include such things as respiratory therapy equipment, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD), chest physiotherapy and/or postural drainage, breathing exercise, metered dose inhaler treatments, nebulizer treatments, suctioning, peak flows, arterial blood gases, oxygen therapy, and other mucus clearing clearance devices such as PEP therapy and Flutter valves, etc. m. Performs advanced ventilatory management. n. Maintains ACLS and BLS provider status with appropriate certifications. o. Obtains blood gas samples from patients through arterial punctures or from arterial catheters. Analyzes, interprets, and reports blood gas results. p. Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists, nursing service personnel, physicians, and students relative to respiratory care. q. Demonstrates active listening skills. r. Demonstrates appropriate verbal and written communication skills in interaction with patients, staff, and visitors. s. Communicates with Supervisor (or Shift Leader in Supervisor's absence) any changes or fluctuations in assignments. t. Inspects, cleans, tests, and properly calibrates respiratory therapy equipment, according to policy and procedure, to ensure equipment functioning safely and efficiently, placing work orders for repairs when necessary. u. Records treatment, findings, assessments, and patient education and progress notes in CPRS and CliniComp. v. Assists with smoking cessation, home oxygen or ventilator assessment/visits, patient transports, and continued quality improvement. w. Actively participates in multidisciplinary team meetings to include team meetings in MICU/SICU, and physician rounds in the intensive care units. x. Works as part of the team of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to manage patient care. y. Attends all mandatory training in-services as directed by the supervisor or Medical Center. z. Serves as shift leader in the absence of the supervisor. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating from 7:30am-8pm and 7:30pm-8am, 3 to 4 days per month Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21R77-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@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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