Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist is a respiratory care practitioner who has passed the registry exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and who is employed under medical direction in the treatment - management - control - diagnostic evaluation - and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities - of the cardio/pulmonary system.

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:

• 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 Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (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
• Note on 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
• Work will fluctuate from sedentary to moderate physical requirements
• Physical demands will include but are not limited to: bending at the waste - reaching above the head - lifting from the knees <10lbs - pushing and pulling < 25lbs
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education - credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - certain provisions apply
• 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)
• 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
• Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek (e.g. - an RRT who worked 20 hours a week would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service)
• Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment above - all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: For the GS-0601-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist - candidates must have the following - 1
• Experience - Licensure and Credential
• 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
• Upon graduation from an accredited program - RTs are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing - the individual is granted the credential of RRT by the NBRC
• BLS Required - ACLS preferred
• 1 year experience with PAP setups - home oxygen - and scheduling
• 2
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate 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 - dated March 12 - 2021
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 - which is the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Reviews - collects - and evaluates relevant clinical data
• Performs respiratory therapy as prescribed by a medical provider to all inpatient CLC residents - including but not limited to - nebulizer administration - PAP therapy - tracheostomy care - airway suctioning - and sputum sampling
• Provides respiratory therapy education and in-servicing to facility nursing staff
• Communicates orally and in writing - changes - adjustments - and recommendations with other healthcare team members through the facility
• Performs consult tracking reports and dispositions consults as appropriate
• Performs scheduling for Respiratory Therapy Clinics
• Performs ambulatory rhythm monitoring
• (ie
• ZioPatch) Provides instruction to patients - families - and caregivers on the use of inpatient CLC therapy - outpatient diagnostic testing - and home respiratory equipment
• Ensures accurate and complete respiratory therapy prescription is entered by the provider
• Maintains working knowledge of contract related to Home Oxygen and how it relates to PAP therapy in the patient's home
• Assists with Home Oxygen consults as needed and will cover all Home Oxygen consult management as needed - under the direction of the Chief of Respiratory Therapy
• Demonstrates the ability to utilize computer-based technologies - software - and programs
• Acquires new knowledge and skills relevant sleep disorders - oxygen therapy - inpatient respiratory therapy - and home respiratory care
• Responds to and addresses requests from patients via phone - email - secure messaging - and face-to-face
• Prepares patient compliance reports and completes compliance follow up with the patient including employing multiple techniques to increase compliance
• Performs sleep equipment data card and modem downloads for tele-health CVT Clinics
• Promotes a customer-centered environment - taking personal responsibility for problem solving and effective courteous communication with patients - their families - medical staff - and peers
• Provides patient care - which is appropriate to the cultural - cognitive - emotional - and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient
• Provides additional services and performs other duties as needs are identified within the Medical Center - Sleep Clinic - and Respiratory Therapy Department
• Work Schedule: 7:30-4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized