Summary

Registered Respiratory Therapists - (RRTs) - at this full performance level are responsible for independently administering treatment to ambulatory - non-ambulatory - and critically ill patients in the inpatient care setting. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plans of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within their scope of practice.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor
• Please select the response below - that represents how you meet the education requirement
• 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
• 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: GS-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist: Experience or Education - 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 In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: 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: Pulmonary Function Testing experience
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005/141 - Part II - Appendix G11
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Physical demands require standing - walking - lifting patients - transporting respiratory equipment
• The work involves participating in lengthy - difficult procedures
• Above average dexterity is required to calibrate and operate the technical equipment
• Positioning and lifting patients may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions

Duties

• Services are rendered in collaboration with the ordering provider - either by specific orders - policy - or established protocol
• These functions and responsibilities are supported by education and administrative oversight
• Periodically specific functions may change
• The primary services include - but are not limited to: a
• Incumbent will have a great deal of independence in the performance of their duties
• b
• Incumbent will collect - review - and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records - care team - patient - and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated
• c
• Incumbent will be capable of performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients
• Example: monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation - assisting with bronchoscopy - using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data - describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid-base balance
• d
• Incumbent will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care when indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment - history - lung auscultation - chest x-ray - pulse oximetry - etc
• e
• Incumbent will communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate
• Additionally - the incumbent will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values
• f
• Incumbent will provide effective and relevant education to the patient - family - students - and facility staff when appropriate
• g
• Incumbent will perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures
• h
• Incumbent will perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards
• i
• Incumbent will actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement
• The Therapist will comply with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices
• The Therapist will demonstrate working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocols
• j
• Incumbent will maintain clinical and professional competence based upon established standards of practice
• k
• Incumbent assembles - checks - and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment
• l
• Incumbent will participate in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy - maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility
• m
• The incumbent will perform duties assigned by management
• Work Schedule: Variable Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 08575-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized