Summary

The Atlanta VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Registered Respiratory Therapist for the Specialty Care Section at the VA Medical Center in Atlanta Georgia.

Qualifications

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)
• 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 - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure - certification or registration - may be reassigned - promoted or demoted within the occupation
• (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure - certification or registration - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (3) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure - certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure - certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (4) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure - certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (6) If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA
• Grade Determinations: 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
• Reference: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G11
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in patient care areas - inpatient and outpatient
• Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over) - heavy carrying (45 pounds and over) - straight pulling (4 hours) - pushing (4 hours) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking (4-8 hours) - standing (4-8 hours) - kneeling (4 hours) - repeated bending (4 hours) - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - 20/40 vision in each eye with or without correction - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors - hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is a health care professional who utilizes the concepts of respiratory care in the management of patients with suspected or known chronic or acute lung disorders and disorders requiring oxygen supplementation
• RRTs perform various diagnostic procedures to determine the cardiopulmonary care needs which are performed on the orders of the primary care or specialist physician
• Typical duties include - but are not limited to: Perform basic spirometry - including adequate coaching - recognition of improperly performed maneuvers - corrective actions - and interpretation of test results
• Compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for advanced pulmonary function tests (plethysmography - diffusion capacity - esophageal pressure - metabolic testing - and diaphragm stimulation) and be able to recognize normal/abnormal results
• Compare and evaluate the indications and contraindications for sleep studies
• Identify and distinguish the indications - contraindications - and general hazards - complications in preparation - performance - and post-care of bronchoscopy procedures
• Monitor and evaluate the patient s clinical condition with pulse oximetry - electrocardiogram - exhaled gas analysis - and other related diagnostic devices
• Perform arterial sampling for blood analysis
• Develop - administer - and re-evaluate patient care plans according to RCD policy
• Complete the assessment through direct contact - chart review - and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members
• Obtain medical - surgical - and family history
• Obtain social - behavioral - and occupational history - and other historical information incident to the purpose of the current complaint
• Work Schedule: 7:00 pm - 7:30 am - Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS 51665 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized