Registered Respiratory Therapist

Job Title

Major duties include, but are not limited to: RRTs at this grade level work independently providing basic and advanced respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The Registered Respiratory Therapist plans, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. There are several assignment areas at the full performance level including inpatient, pulmonary function, bronchoscopy, outpatient services and home oxygen.

Inpatient Specific Responsibilities (All Respiratory Staff)

• Incumbent will have a great deal of independence in the performance of their duties.
• Incumbent reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data from the medical record and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation.
• Incumbent performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Examples include but not limited to: Arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy assistance, pulmonary rehabilitation, endotracheal intubation, oxygen administration etc.

Pulmonary Function Specific Responsibilities

• Incumbent performs basic spirometry, pre/post bronchodilator spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion, plethysmography, and MIPs/MEPs in the lab or at bedside, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results.
• Incumbent compares and evaluates indications and contraindications for advanced pulmonary function tests (plethysmography, diffusion capacity) and recognizes normal/abnormal results
• Incumbent calculates, notes, and reports all pulmonary function parameters for physician interpretation.

Respiratory/PAP Clinic Duties

• Provides education to patients/families/care providers relating to the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
• Provides instruction to patients/families/caregivers on use and maintenance of home respiratory equipment: home ventilators, nebulizer and compressors, PAP units and other home respiratory therapy modalities.
• Responds to patient calls related to home respiratory care.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework : Not Available

Functional Statement # : 941130

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs