Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) performs patient care that is related to all respiratory therapeutic and diagnostic modalities in several areas of the Medical Center. Areas include the Surgical Intensive Care Unit - Medical Intensive Care Unit - Medical Specialty Clinics - Emergency Department - Ambulatory Care - Community Living Center - and General Medical and Surgical Nursing care areas to include both critically ill/injured patients and non‑critically ill injured patients. Qualifications 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 Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor. Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist 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 a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist positions in the GS‑0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid‑current‑unrestricted credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). 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 below. Temporary appointment terms: (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. (b) 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. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. Current VHA employees 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 Registered Respiratory Therapist GS‑05 – Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Registered Respiratory Therapist GS‑07 – Experience, Education, Licensure, and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (a) Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. (b) Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained including arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, end‑tidal CO₂ monitoring, basic spirometry, and other basic diagnostic procedures. (c) Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. (d) Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. (e) Ability to perform basic airway management, including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist GS‑09 – Experience, Education, Licensure, and Registration: Candidates must have either (i) one year of creditable experience at the GS‑07 level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level, or (ii) a Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (a) Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. (b) Ability to collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. (c) Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. (d) Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist GS‑11 – Experience, Education, Licensure, and Registration: Candidates must have either (i) one year of creditable experience at the GS‑09 level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level, (ii) hold an active license and RRT credential. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (a) Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. (b) Skill in evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic modalities. (c) Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Preferred Experience: One year of Respiratory Therapy experience; critical‑care experience demonstrating communication skills and critical thinking. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Physical Requirements Typical for the occupation – may require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as part of conditions of employment. Work Environment Work performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks requiring normal safety precautions. Environment is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated. Requires the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Medication delivery of respiratory aerosolized medications and multi‑dose inhalers. Performing pulmonary hygiene, including chest physiotherapy (CPT), suctioning (nasotracheal or endotracheal), and incentive spirometry. Monitoring and assessing mechanical ventilation. Performing bronchoscopies—bedside or bronchoscopy lab—including specimen gathering, labeling, and transferring to appropriate laboratory and other general therapeutic and diagnostic services. Completing pulmonary function tests (PFTs), pulmonary rehabilitation, and providing asthma/COPD education; intubation and placement of artificial airways; and arterial line placements. Providing support for bronchoscopy procedures by assisting pulmonologists in performing invasive procedures. Documenting any respiratory care and patient care information according to approved department standards and VA guidelines. Attending all mandatory annual reviews, taking responsibility for attending appropriate continuing education; orienting, training, and assisting new/less experienced respiratory staff. Work schedule: 6:30 am to 7:00 pm days and rotating weekends. #J-18808-Ljbffr