About this role
Job SummaryRRTs frequently collaborate with specialists in medicine, pulmonology, cardiology, and anesthesiology. The aim is to improve breathing mechanics once the airway is blocked, or the lung function is jeopardized. RRTs suggest medicines that the patient need to ease their breathing problems. Equipment and approaches in respiratory system therapy include ventilators, non-invasive ventilation, including biphasic positive airway pressure, continuous positive airway pressure and nebulizer remedies.
QualificationsApplicants 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. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11. (a) 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. (b) 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 4 years of experience as a registered respiratory therapist. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
Major DutiesThe major duties of the Registered Respiratory Therapist includes but is not limited to: - Determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. - Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. - Administer respiratory medications including, but not limited to, nebulized medications, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, etc. and understand the adverse reactions and dosages. - Performs oxygen therapy utilizing all available devices used to deliver oxygen. - Responds to Code Blue -Provides CPR and oxygen needed to patients during cardiac and/or respiratory emergencies. Assists with transporting patients to appropriate care areas. Assists MD in intubation by providing the ET tube, suction, cricoid pressure, ETCO2 indicator, etc. - Responds to Rapid Response Team (RRT)-Actively participates in assessing the patient's condition. Assists with patients' O2 requirements and transport. - Responds to Nursing Alerts- Actively participates in assessing the patient's condition. Assists with patients' O2 requirements and transport. - Participates with medical and nursing staff in treatment planning for patients with respiratory needs. This includes making recommendations to physicians regarding alterations in treatment plans. - Responsible for assessing the respiratory status of patients by observing pulse rate, observing respiratory rate, auscultation of breath sounds, monitoring SpO2, and interpretation of blood gas results. - Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. - May lead projects developing new policies, procedures, or protocols. - Cleans, assembles, calibrates, and monitors complex respiratory/diagnostic equipment, including but not limited to ventilators, CPAP/BIPAP machines, transport ventilators, bedside spirometers, percussors, oximeters, and assisted-cough devices, AirVo's and Nitric machines. - Draws arterial blood samples and recommends potential changes in patient care plans, based on results. Can report and make recommendations of venous blood gas results. - Documents patient care and/or procedures performed accurately in the computerized medical record system, on worksheets, and/or in logs as required. - Assists in bronchoscopy and other complex respiratory procedures. - Performs and/or assists physicians with testing and studies, including but not limited to oxygen saturation, end tidal/expiratory carbon dioxide, bedside spirometry, nocturnal oximetry, intubations, extubations, and therapeutic/diagnostic bronchoscopies and weaning parameters. Work Schedule: PRN/Intermittent, various days. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m./ 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Based on need Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91349-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.