Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist position is located in the Nursing - Operations department at the Edward P. Boland VA Medical Center in Leeds MA. This position is full-time day shift with 40 hours and includes regular travel (25%) between Leeds and Springfield facilities to meet the needs of the Nursing - Operations Service.

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: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. 7403(f)
• 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-0601series 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-0601series 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist GS-11 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 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 the candidate 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
• Assignments: This assignment is the full performance level
• RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or 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 area of specialty
• They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means
• RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols - respiratory modalities - bronchoscopy - medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation
• They monitor critical systems
• They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services - such as home ventilators and COPD case management
• RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment
• RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement
• They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff
• They may lead projects developing new policies - procedures or protocols
• Preferred Experience: Over one year of experience providing outpatient Respiratory therapy to patients - including assessment - treatment planning - and implementation of therapeutic modalities in a clinical setting
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• The incumbent serves as a member of the Respiratory Therapy Section at the VISN 1 VA Healthcare System
• The Respiratory Therapy subsection is responsible for providing the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care
• This assignment is the full performance level
• RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings
• The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels
• Use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met
• Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty
• Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means
• Determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols - respiratory modalities - bronchoscopy - medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation
• Monitor critical systems
• Use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services - such as home ventilators and COPD case management
• Suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment
• RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement
• Serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff
• May lead projects developing new policies - procedures or protocols
• 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
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm with regular travel (25%) between Springfield and Leeds facilities to meet the needs of the Nursing - Operations Service
• Telework: Not available on a regular or recurring basis - situational telework only
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F02865 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.