Registered Respiratory Therapist
What you'd do
This assignment is at the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and 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 are of specialty.
Major duties
General Duties - Inpatient Inpatient- Aerosol therapy Aspects of mechanical ventilation, modes and weaning Intra-hospital transporting of critically ill patients being mechanically ventilated or requiring respiratory assistance Assists with intubation Extubations Blood procurement for blood gas analysis via arterial lines, punctures or pulmonary artery catheters Blood gas analysis/interpretation to make adjustments to mechanical ventilation, PAP therapy and oxygen therapy General maintenance of blood gas laboratory equipment and troubleshooting equipment issues/problems Perform CPR (BLS required and ACLS strongly encouraged) and respond to code situations and Early Response Team calls Airway care and management- Bronchoscopy assistance at the bedside Postural drainage therapy and percussion Conducts bedside diagnostic respiratory tests Participate in multi-disciplinary rounds General Duties - Outpatient Performs home oxygen therapy evaluations according to departmental procedure and obtains physician's orders for patients who qualify for home oxygen therapy or renewals. Schedules appointments for annual home oxygen evaluation and renewal. Performs pulmonary testing procedures such as basic spirometry (FVC, MVV, flow volume loops), complete spirometry (SVC, FVC, MVV, FRC, Diffusion Capacity, lung volumes), high altitude testing, and bronchial challenge testing. Sets up and monitors a variety of complex respiratory therapy equipment such as PAP and nocturnal oximetry equipment. Monitors patients closely to avoid incidents and to alter the plan as necessary. Downloads modems for physicians to review for patient compliance with PAP therapy prescribed for patients. Sets up nocturnal portable sleep monitors with physician's order. Assists with CPAP setups and clinics. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am -4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. 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 in (a) (b) (c) (d) and (e): 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. 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. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment Failure to Obtain Credential: In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder. 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. 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: Grade Determination RRT GS-5: Experience: none beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure: Successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and working toward obtaining RRT credential. Grade Determination RRT GS-7: Experience, Education, Licensure and Credential: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. 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. Grade Determination RRT GS-9: 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. 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. Grade Determination RRT 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, and Hold an active license and RRT credential. 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. BLS and/or ACLS required. 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-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in all patient areas (in-patient or outpatient). All respiratory therapists will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. The respiratory therapist is expected to be able to move, lift, bend, and stoop while performing duties with equipment supplies, and patients. Respiratory therapists must demonstrate the ability to handle stressful, challenging situations in a positive manner.
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