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. Learn more FUNCTIONS (Continued) Area VII: Assessment of Therapeutics A. Assessment of Need for Therapy - Assesses the need for therapies in all patient settings. 1.Medical gas therapy 2.Humidity therapy 3.Aerosol therapy 4.Lung expansion therapy 5.Airway clearance therapy 6.Airway management 7.Mechanical ventilation B. Assessment Prior to Therapy 1.Review order and/or implement protocol. 2.Review patient history, laboratory results, and imaging data. 3.Determine indications/contraindications for therapy. 4.Interview and conduct physical examination of patient. 5.Determine appropriateness of order. 6.Determine need for physician intervention. C. Administration of Therapy 1.Select and assemble equipment. 2.Apply and administer therapy. 3.Monitor patient's response to therapy. 4.Instruct patient on proper technique. 5.Recognize and rectify equipment malfunction (troubleshooting). 6.Follow Standard Precautions for infection control. D. Evaluation of Therapy 1.Recognize complications and respond to adverse effects. 2.Recommend therapy modifications. 3.Assess therapy effectiveness. 4.Document therapy. Area VIII: Application of Therapeutics to Respiratory Care Practice A. Medical Gas Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to gas delivery systems in all patient settings 1.Evaluate compressed gas cylinders. 2.Evaluate regulators and flow meters. 3.Evaluate liquid-oxygen systems (stationary and portable). 4.Evaluate oxygen concentrators (stationary and portable). 5.Evaluate oxygen conserving devices. 6.Evaluate high-flow air-entrainment systems. 7.Evaluate oxygen and air-flow-meter mixing systems. 8.Evaluate air/oxygen blenders. 9.Evaluate hyperbaric oxygen systems. 10.Evaluate sub-ambient oxygen delivery systems (neonatal only). 11.Evaluate nasal cannulas. 12.Evaluate high-flow nasal cannulas. 13.Evaluate non-reservoir masks. 14.Evaluate reservoir masks. 15.Evaluate air-entrainment masks. 16.Evaluate hood/head-enclosures used for transport of Covid patients 17.Evaluate trans-tracheal oxygen therapy. 18.Evaluate nitric oxide therapy. B. Humidity Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to humidity therapy systems in all patient settings. 1.Evaluate unheated passive humidifiers. 2.Evaluate active and passive heat-and-moisture exchangers (HMEs). 3.Evaluate heated humidifiers for medical gas delivery systems via mask, tracheal catheter, and artificial airways. 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. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. 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 an associates degree in 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 and other applicable certifications to the specific job duties. 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). Grade Determinations: To qualify for appointment as an RRT at, all applicants must possess the following: To qualify for appointment as an RRT at the GS 07 Level, all applicants must possess the following: a. New graduate to one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. b. 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. c. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed an associates degree in a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. d. 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. e. 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 and other applicable certifications to the specific job duties. OR To qualify for appointment as an RRT at the GS 09 Level, all applicants must possess the following: a. One to two years of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. b. 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. c. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed an associates degree in a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. d. 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. e. 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 and other applicable certifications to the specific job duties. OR To qualify for appointment as an RRT at the GS 11 Level, all applicants must possess the following: a. Two or more years of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. b. 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. c. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed an associates degree in a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. d. 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. e. 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 and other applicable certifications to the specific job duties. References: QUALIFICATIONS: VA Handbook 5055/141 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 in the range of GS-07 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directives and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. ["GENERAL DDESCRIPTION:\nThis assignment is the entry performance level. RRTs at this grade level have less than 1 year experience, but work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. FUNCTIONS:\nThe incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served. Essential functions are required to be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time for above full performance ratings. Area I: Collection of Diagnostic Information\nA. Pulmonary Function Technology\n1.Perform basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results.\nB. Invasive Diagnostic Procedures\n1.Identify and distinguish the indications, contraindications, and general hazards, complications in preparation, performance, and post care of bronchoscopic procedures.\n2.Describe the role of a respiratory therapist in diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures.\n3.Monitor and evaluate the patient's clinical condition with pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram, exhaled gas analysis, and other related diagnostic devices.\n4.Perform arterial sampling for blood analysis. Area II: Disease Management\nA. Management of Chronic Diseases\n1.Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities. 2.Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. 3. Assist in developing, administering, and re-evaluation of patient care plans.\nB. Management of Acute Diseases\n1.Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute-care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines.\n2.Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients.\n3.Develop, administer, and re-evaluate patient care plans. Area III: Evidence-Based Medicine and Respiratory Care Protocols\nA. Evidence-Based Medicine\n1.Retrieve credible sources of evidence.\n4.Apply evidence-based medicine to clinical practice.\nB. Respiratory Care Protocols\n1.Explain the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital- based respiratory care protocols.\n2.Evaluate and treat patients in a variety of settings, using the appropriate respiratory care protocols. Area IV: Patient Assessment\nA. Patient Assessment\n1.Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members.\n2.Obtain medical, surgical, and family history.\n3.Obtain social, behavioral, and occupational history, and other historical information incident to the purpose of the current complaint.\nB. Diagnostic Data\n1.Review and interpret pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry.\n3.Review and interpret arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests.\nC. Physical Examination\n1.Inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies.\n2.Measure vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate).\n3.Evaluate patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles.\n4.Measure and document oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during sleep, ambulation, or exercise). Area VI: Emergency and Critical Care\nA. Emergency Care\n1.Perform basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.\n2.Maintain knowledge and skills necessary to retain certification as per associated guidelines as stated above.\n3.Perform endotracheal intubation.\n4.Perform as a member of the rapid response team (medical emergency team).\n5.Perform as a member of the Code Blue team to provide airway management, manual and mechanical ventilatory life support, medical gas administration, aerosol delivery of bronchodilators and other agents in the resuscitation of respiratory and cardiovascular failure.\n6.Manage monitoring systems\n7.Manage airway devices.\n8.Make treatment recommendations based on waveform graphics, pulmonary mechanics, and imaging studies.\n9.Apply knowledge, and analysis of use of therapeutic medical gases.\n10.Collaborate with other professionals in care management built upon evidence-based medicine and clinical protocols. Work Schedule: 19:30 to 08:00AM\nTelework: Not Available\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]