Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist for the Cincinnati VA Medical Center primary functions encompass diagnostic evaluation - assessment - and provision of respiratory care services to both inpatients and outpatients in the facility.

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
• 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)
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements - applicants must also meet grade level requirements
• Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-05: Nothing beyond the basic requirements is required
• 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: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• 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
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• 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: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• 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
• Knowledge - skills and abilities at the GS-09 level are: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• 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
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: Two years experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist - Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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-05 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Considerable walking/standing may be required
• Frequent lifting - positioning - pushing/pulling may be required when assisting with the transfer of a patients or when moving equipment or supplies
• Frequent - prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required
• Manual dexterity and mobility are required
• Frequent reaching - stooping - bending - kneeling or crouching may be required.
  
  

Duties

• The duty of the Registered Respiratory Therapist includes but are not limited to: Diagnostic evaluation
• For example - pulmonary function studies - blood gas interpretation - and overnight
• Performs as a member of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) code team
• Is responsible for assisting with intubation and ventilation - obtaining arterial blood gases - and other activities as directed by the physician
• Sets up and monitors complex respiratory care and diagnostic equipment such as pressure and volume ventilators
• Assists with transport of critically ill patients
• Performs airway care and maintenance on intensive care patients in collaboration with the nursing staff
• Provides respiratory consulting services at the request of nursing staff or physicians
• Provides recommendations to the physician based on assessments of patient and evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions
• Works with physicians to develop a care plan encompassing all respiratory care procedures needed by an individual patient
• Sets up and monitors non-invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation devices - including BiPAP and CPAP - and titrates settings based on patient response
• Evaluates patients receiving respiratory therapy
• Sets up and monitors oxygen systems
• Selects - assembles - operates - and troubleshoots respiratory equipment
• Ensures equipment and supplies are available for use (i.e. - clean and set-up ventilators - BiPAP units - etc.)
• Participates in respiratory therapy education provided to patients - caregivers - and hospital staff
• Participates in evaluation of new equipment
• Collects data for continuous improvement initiatives
• Assists with completion of department paperwork
• Works with home oxygen program
• Provides additional - non-traditional - respiratory care services as needs ae identified within the facility and the respiratory care department
• Work Schedule: Monday - The outpatient schedule is Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm no weekends or holidays and inpatient nightshift work schedule will be listed as Week 1 Monday 1900-0730 Tuesday 1900-0730 Friday 1900-0730 Saturday 1900-0730 Week 2 Sunday 1900-0730 Wednesday 1900-0730 Thursday 1900-0330 every other weekend and holiday
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 93525-A - 93526-A - 93527-A - and 93529-A