Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) functions within the Respiratory Therapy department and provides basic and acute respiratory care in all areas of the hospital - including the critical care units - as prescribed by a provider. The work involves performing a variety of non-routine or specialized respiratory therapy procedures per established policies and practices.

Qualifications

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
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above - applicants must meet the grade requirements below
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Previous charge therapist and ICU experience is preferred but not required
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs)
• Pushing
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand over hand
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 6 hours)
• Standing (up to 6 hours)
• Kneeling (Intermittent)
• Repeated bending (up to 6 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional and Mental Stability
• 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).

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to the following: CLINICAL: Independently performs basic and acute respiratory care - administration of oxygen and aerosol therapy - positive pressure devices (BIPAP - CPAP) - ventilator care to include advanced technology/techniques (i.e. - pressure control modality and associated ventilator adjustments and monitoring)
• The respiratory therapist is responsible for making appropriate recommendations to physicians regarding changes in therapy
• Displays knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care
• Assess respiratory status of patients through direct contact - chart review - diagnostic data (i.e. - pulmonary function tests - pulse oximetry - arterial blood gases - electrolytes - complete blood cell count and related laboratory tests) and other means as appropriate
• Performs and responds as a member on the rapid response team - stroke team - code team calls (i.e. - code blue team - code 99 team - etc.) Responsible for airway management and assisting with and/or performing endotracheal intubation
• Duties may vary according to shift and/or patient care needs - and miscellaneous duties as assigned
• Duties may include developing - administering - evaluating - monitoring and modifying respiratory care plans in the acute - critical and/or outpatient care settings using protocols and clinical practice guidelines
• Duties may include monitoring critical systems - maintaining the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means - performing process for weaning patients from mechanical ventilation - monitoring of patients using oximetry - electrocardiology - and apnea monitoring devices
• PATIENT EDUCATION: The Respiratory Therapist (RT) is the expert clinician in the care and management for patients with chronic respiratory diseases
• The RT will provide education to patients and families as requested for new and chronic respiratory disease management in inpatient - post-acute care and outpatient care settings
• Education will include the use and maintenance of home equipment - safety and contingency planning for chronic disease management including - but not limited to chronic disease management - home ventilation and positive airway pressure therapy - home oxygen usage and safety - tracheostomy care and suctioning - nebulizers and aerosol medications
• PHARMACOLOGY: Dispense pharmacological solutions as prescribed by physician
• Must possess and utilize a general knowledge of indications - contraindications - and complications of medicines and respond accordingly to policy and procedure in the event of adverse reactions and/or appropriate orders as demonstrated through observation - assessment and documentation
• ADMINISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION: Documents all respiratory treatments and patient responses in the electronic medical record as per policy
• This included documentation in BCMA and CPRS - and the completion of consult requests
• Maintains departmental paperwork according to the current standard
• Documentation will include appropriate patient information - location of patient - verification of patient name and social security number or date of birth - clearly and thoroughly state the events that occurred during therapy as demonstrated through medical record audit
• Documentation will be completed in a timely manner
• will clearly state the events that occurred during therapy as demonstrated through medical record audit
• To include PRN effectiveness - blood gas entry - event capture - and BCMA if relevant
• Ensures all patient consults are completed and closed out - and event capture entries are accurate and completed on a daily basis
• Responsible to understand - interpret and comply with Respiratory Care Policies and Standard Operating Procedures
• Duties may include leading projects to development and implement new policies - procedures and/or protocols
• RESEARCH: May be asked to assist or participate in approved research activities involving the Pulmonary Section
• EDUCATION: Completes and maintains current ACLS - BLS - PALS - Out of OR Airway Management Training and/or Certification
• Assist in providing learning experiences for respiratory therapy students - allied health professionals and provide instruction where indicated
• Work Schedule: Rotating days - 6:00p.m
• to 6:30a.m
• and 6:00p.m
• to 2:30a.m. - work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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