The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic & advanced Respiratory services to adults & geriatric patients, and if necessary the basic treatment of all age groups. The therapist plans, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including; mechanical ventilators, continuous positive pressure devices, pulmonary function, arterial blood gas equipment and oxygen monitors/analyzers. 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: 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 CoARC or its successor. Please select the response below, that represents how you meet the education requirement. 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. 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:GS-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist: Experience or Education, 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 In addition to the requirements above, candidates 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in patient care areas, inpatient and outpatient. Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (4 hours), pushing (4 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4-8 hours), standing (4-8 hours), kneeling (4 hours), repeated bending (4 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, 20/40 vision in each eye with or without correction, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors: Fumes, smoke or gases, radiant energy, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around machinery with moving parts, vibration, working closely with others, working alone. ["NOTE: This is an Open Continuous Announcement to establish a standing register of qualified candidates to refer as vacancies occur. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement. The RRT uses 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. Duties include, but are not limited to: Administer prescribed medications that pertain to the field, note contraindications and/ or adverse reactions, and notify the physician and recommend corrective therapy as indicated; Monitor patient reactions to therapy with the use of pulse oximetry; Promote and participate in patient education and rehabilitation by explaining procedures and therapies to the patients and their families; Perform pulmonary function tests including spirometry, lung volumes, and exercise testing; Provide emergency respiratory therapy treatments to critically ill patients; Administer oxygen, aerosol, humidity, and positive pressure breathing therapy; Position patient and perform chest physiotherapy and drainage, noting the effectiveness of therapy; Maintain and monitor ventilator patients as required and make adjustments based on blood gas analysis with the physician's approval; Implement adult artificial ventilation upon physician's orders. Work Schedule: All shifts, days, nights, weekends; holidays may be required. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
