Summary

Registered Respiratory Therapist at this performance level are required to be proactive in the patients care - while working together with an interdisciplinary team to assist in the care of our Veterans - reducing exacerbations of pulmonary diseases - decreasing readmissions into hospitals - assisting with diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary patients. The RRT will be responsible for administering a variety of complex respiratory therapy modalities.

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
• 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)
• 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
• 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)
• Experience - Licensure and Credential
• Candidates must have: 1
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• 2
• 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: 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
• 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
• 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 GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• Reaching above shoulder
• Both hands required
• Walking
• Standing
• Repeated bending
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities for this position include - but not limited to the following: Patients will be assessed by history - pulmonary physical assessment - and chart review before the start of therapy
• Changes in these findings during therapy and results of therapy will be recorded
• The therapist will be knowledgeable regarding the use of medications in respiratory therapy and will observe the patient for desired and adverse effects of those medications - as well as the effects of the type of therapy delivering the medications
• Sets up and monitors Respiratory devices such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators - end tidal CO2 monitors - oxygen delivery devices - High Flow Oxygen delivery devices
• Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols - incentive spirometry - chest physical therapy - bedside pulmonary function testing
• Sputum specimens will be obtained by induction as ordered
• Patient education will be done in all aspects of respiratory care pertaining to the individual patient needs and according to the patient's or his family's ability to assimilate the information
• The therapist will function as an in-service educator to any personnel needing knowledge of respiratory therapy procedures - equipment - pulmonary anatomy - and physiology
• The Registered Respiratory Therapists are active members of the Code Blue/Rapid Response Team and are expected to maintain certification (quarterly) in RQI BLS - ALS - see MCM 11-148 and Out of OR Airway Management (OOORAM) certification including their live intubation checkoff as a Level II provider
• They must be able to respond rapidly and assist in all areas of the Code Blue/Rapid Response Team process to include performing compressions
• The therapist will assist in transport outside the medical center or to other areas of the medical center for those patients requiring respiratory support as indicated
• During transport of patients - maintains clearance of airway - monitors vital signs - and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary
• Draws arterial blood gas (ABG) samples from patients throughout the medical center in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with established policy and procedure
• Able to read - understand - and correct - an ABG on unstable patients with metabolic and respiratory needs using respiratory modalities and protocols
• Delivers respiratory care as needed in the more complex respiratory care procedures and to high risk patients such as those in the older age group with multiple comorbidities
• Participates in the audit of respiratory care - recommending changes where indicated
• Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care using hospital policies and procedures - including appropriate cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines
• Responsible for assisting the respiratory leadership with creating - revising - and implementing various respiratory procedures - performance improvement monitors and processes - and to participate on various clinical focused committees
• Uses data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met
• Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty
• 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
• Monitor critical systems - 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
• Serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff
• All other assigned duties
• Work Schedule: Varies with nights and possible weekends
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.