Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) functions within the Respiratory Therapy department and provides basic and acute respiratory care in all areas of the hospital—including the critical care units—as prescribed by a provider. The work involves performing a variety of non‑routine or specialized respiratory therapy procedures per established policies and practices. 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. United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy 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-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 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) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the grade requirements below 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 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: 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: Previous charge therapist and ICU experience is preferred but not required Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements – Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over) Physical Requirements – Moderate Carrying (15–44 lbs) Physical Requirements – Pushing Physical Requirements – Straight Pulling Physical Requirements – Pulling hand over hand Physical Requirements – Reaching above shoulder Physical Requirements – Use of fingers Physical Requirements – Both hands required Physical Requirements – Walking (up to 6 hours) Physical Requirements – Standing (up to 6 hours) Physical Requirements – Kneeling (Intermittent) Physical Requirements – Repeated bending (up to 6 hours) Physical Requirements – Both legs required Physical Requirements – Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Physical Requirements – Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 inches Physical Requirements – Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Physical Requirements – Ability to distinguish shades of colors Physical Requirements – Hearing (aid permitted) Physical Requirements – Emotional and Mental Stability Physical Requirements – 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) Duties Duties include — but are not limited to the following: Clinical. Independently performs basic and acute respiratory care—administration of oxygen and aerosol therapy—positive pressure devices (BIPAP‑CPAP)—ventilator care to include advanced technology/techniques (i.e., pressure control modality and associated ventilator adjustments and monitoring) The respiratory therapist is responsible for making appropriate recommendations to physicians regarding changes in therapy Displays knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care Assesses respiratory status of patients through direct contact, chart review, diagnostic data (i.e., pulmonary function tests, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count and related laboratory tests) and other means as appropriate Performs and responds as a member on the rapid response team, stroke team, code team calls (i.e., code blue team, code 99 team) — responsible for airway management and assisting with and/or performing endotracheal intubation Duties may vary according to shift and/or patient care needs and miscellaneous duties as assigned Duties may include developing, administering, evaluating, monitoring and modifying respiratory care plans in the acute, critical and/or outpatient care settings using protocols and clinical practice guidelines Duties may include monitoring critical systems—maintaining the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means—performing processes for weaning patients from mechanical ventilation, monitoring of patients using oximetry, electrocardiology and apnea monitoring devices Patient Education. The respiratory therapist is the expert clinician in the care and management for patients with chronic respiratory diseases The RT will provide education to patients and families as requested for new and chronic respiratory disease management in inpatient, post‑acute care and outpatient care settings Education will include the use and maintenance of home equipment—safety and contingency planning for chronic disease management—including chronic disease management, home ventilation and positive airway pressure therapy, home oxygen usage and safety, tracheostomy care and suctioning, nebulizers and aerosol medications Pharmacology. Dispense pharmacological solutions as prescribed by physician—must possess and utilize a general knowledge of indications, contraindications, and complications of medicines and respond accordingly to policy and procedure in the event of adverse reactions and/or appropriate orders as demonstrated through observation, assessment and documentation Administration/Documentation. Documents all respiratory treatments and patient responses in the electronic medical record as per policy; includes documentation in BCMA and CPRS, and the completion of consult requests; maintains departmental paperwork according to the current standard Documentation will include appropriate patient information—location of patient—verification of patient name and social security number or date of birth—clearly and thoroughly state the events that occurred during therapy as demonstrated through medical record audit; to include PRN effectiveness, blood gas entry, event capture and BCMA if relevant Ensures all patient consults are completed and closed out—event capture entries are accurate and completed on a daily basis Responsible to understand, interpret and comply with Respiratory Care Policies and Standard Operating Procedures; duties may include leading projects to develop and implement new policies, procedures and/or protocols Research. May be asked to assist or participate in approved research activities involving the Pulmonary Section Education. Completes and maintains current ACLS, BLS, PALS, Out of OR Airway Management Training and/or Certification; assists in providing learning experiences for respiratory therapy students, allied health professionals and provides instruction where indicated Work Schedule: Rotating days – 6:00 pm to 6:30 am and 6:00 pm to 2:30 am; work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service Telework: Not Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs