Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

This Registered Respiratory Therapist position is in Medical service at the VA Maine Medical Center, located at the Augusta, Maine location.

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Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments.
• Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen delivery devices, re-breathers and oximetry monitors.
• Performs bedside diagnostic tests to assess the respiratory status of patients.
• Under general guidance performs Advanced Airway placement of LMA placement or may assist physicians and full performance RRT's in placing more advanced artificial airways into patients as required.
• Under guidance, during cardiac arrests, initiates artificial ventilation using mouth-to-mask techniques or a manual ventilation bag to restore patient's heartbeat and maintain ventilation.
• During transport of patients, maintains clearance of airway, monitors vital signs, and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary.
• Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols, and incentive spirometry, chest physical therapy.
• Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments given, various types of medications used, and the set up and operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautions.
• Calibrates complex respiratory equipment under guidance such as PFT analyzers to assure accurate performance. Records treatment, findings and progress pertinent to patient care.
• Ensures that reports and procedures are processed and returned to the requesting physician on a timely basis.
• Ensures that all machines and equipment are in good condition and are in compliance with all safety codes. The therapists will report any problems immediately.
• Distribute tanks to various clinical areas as needed.
• Collect empty tanks and return to the designated storage room.
• Daily updates the tank level logs to reflect the number of empty and full tanks in stock.

In addition to the technical duties, the incumbent is responsible for the following functions :

• Orders and maintains a proper level of supplies.
• Ensures that reports and procedures are processed and returned to the requesting physician on a timely basis.
• Ensures that all machines and equipment are in good condition and are in compliance with all safety codes.
• Report any problems immediately.

Evening shift therapists will also perform the following :

• Monitor and maintain adequate levels of oxygen tanks in at least the Special Care Unit, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, the medical/surgical wards, Emergency Department and the Nursing Home Care Unit.
• Distribute tanks to various clinical areas as needed.
• Collect empty tanks and return to the designated storage room.
• Updates the tank level logs to reflect the number of empty and full tanks in stock.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Shift Varies

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Registered Respiratory Therapist / PDF02865, PDF02864, PDF02863, and PDF02862

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Notifications:

• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• Current and former federal employees are required to submit copies of their most recent SF-50, Notice of Personnel Action. The SF-50 should include details such as the position title, series, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In certain instances, multiple SF-50 forms may be necessary to demonstrate a higher grade previously held.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You 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 ( 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.

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 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)

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).

Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it,

Grade Determinations :

Respiratory Therapist, GS-05

Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Education and Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential.

Assignment: This is the entry level developmental position. RTs at this grade level perform basic therapeutic modalities in all areas of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RRT at the full performance level or higher. RTs are responsible for such assignments as medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07

Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

1. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
2. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures.
3. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
4. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
5. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

Assignment: This is a developmental position. RRTs at this grade level will be responsible for the following assignments with minimal clinical supervision from an RRT at the full performance level in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members. They use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care. They place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning. RRTs obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples. They perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in-line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. RRTs provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09

Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR, A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

1. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
2. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
3. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
4. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

Assignments: This is a developmental position. RRTs at this grade level are responsible for the following under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. 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 through the use of appropriate mechanical means. RRTs assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, 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 and 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:

1. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
2. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
3. 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. ? Continued Below...

Education

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: 1-3+ years Experience in acute care settings ICU, ED, or medical surgical units Ventilator management experience (invasive and non-invasive) ABG (arterial blood gas) sampling and analysis Bronchoscopy assistance experience BLS, ACLS and PALS certification NBRC credentialing as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 5 to GS 11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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