Summary

The respiratory therapist is responsible for carrying out and following up on the respiratory care administered to each patient. This position is located in the Nursing - Acute Care service line.

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
• 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 below
• (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
• Grade Requirements: Respiratory Therapist - GS-05: 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
• Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-07: Experience - Education - Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must possess their RRT credential
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• 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
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-09: Experience or Education - Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have: One 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to the following: Use 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 are of specialty
• Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means
• Determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols - respiratory modalities - bronchoscopy - medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation
• Monitor critical systems
• Use advance modes of ventilation and outpatient services such as home ventilators and COPD case management
• Suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment
• May perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement
• Serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff
• May lead projects developing new policies - procedures - or protocols
• Work Schedule: Days/Nights rotating 7:30pm - 8:00am / 7:30pm - 4:00am / 11:30pm - 8:00am - with Holidays and Weekend Rotations Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized