Period of Performance: Base period: 1 year base period of 4-year option. Full-time.

Education: Successful completion of a two-year accredited course study leading to an associate degree in respiratory therapy.

Qualifications:

• Licensed in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia
• License/Certification: Full, current and unrestricted license and/or certification in any State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia) when services are performed onsite on VA property. Candidates who have current, full and unrestricted licenses/certifications in one or more states, but who have, or ever had, a license/certification restricted, suspended, revoked, voluntarily revoked, voluntarily surrendered pending action or denied upon application will not be considered.
• Current Curriculum Vitae: A review of individual education and professional qualifications must be available for the healthcare system’s review to assure appropriate placement in a medical discipline commensurate with the contract personnel’s qualifications and experience.
• Registered Respiratory Therapists must have a minimum of two years’ current experience in this field and recent Respiratory Therapy experience in a hospital setting including covering inpatient units, ED and ICU.
• Maintains current clinical skill and credentialing through in-service programs, continuing education to include evidence of a certificate as an RRT from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and a registry number, or certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent to perform as a respiratory therapist and professional publications.
• Able to perform independently basic and acute respiratory care, administration of oxygen and aerosol therapy, positive pressure devices (BIPAP, CPAP, & IPV), ventilator care to include advanced techniques, i.e.; pressure control modality and associated ventilator adjustments and monitoring with/without graphs.
• Assists/ensures that appropriate recommendations are given to the physicians regarding changes in therapy.
• Able to assess respiratory status of patients using data acquired through observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays and electrocardiograms to determine effectiveness of therapy administered. 
• Able to assist with trauma and code call; i.e., participates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to include the administration of routine, complex, and emergent respiratory care to patients.
• Able to transport and monitor the patients in specialty areas; i.e., CT scan, X-ray, bronchoscopy, etc., as demonstrated by documentation.
• Able to assist with endotracheal intubation, extubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care.
• Assists in developing plans for weaning patients from mechanical ventilation, and monitoring patients using oximetry, electro-cardiology, and apnea monitoring devices.
• Able to assists with fiberoptic bronchoscopy, needle biopsies of the lung parenchyma and pleural biopsies.
• Able to perform sputum mobilization techniques-sputum inductions, chest percussion, postural drainage, and suctioning patients as required.
• Able to perform arterial blood gas sampling and electrocardiograms and accurately interpret data and report any inappropriate/critical results to the physician
• Able to maintain and troubleshoot at the operator's level, all respiratory equipment assigned, and reporting, if warranted, such equipment inoperable, using the established procedure.
• Capable to perform Emergency Airway Management Outside of the Operating Room. All intubation procedures must be documented via Computerized Patient Records System (CPRS).
• Duties may vary according to the needs of the shift, along with miscellaneous duties as assigned

Physical Demands:

• The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction.
• Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 50-100 lbs.)
• Prolonged extensive, or considerable standing/walking
• Lifts, positions, pushes, and /or transfers patients
• Assists with lifting and moving patients
• Lifts supplies/equipment
• Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Intermittent exertion when performing treatments.
• Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

Duty Hours: Currently normal clinic hours are open 24 hours per day. Candidates are subject to varying work hours depending on staffing needs and may be revised as deemed appropriate by the Department Director. Typically, the tour of duty shall be - The tours of duty are on a rotating basis as needed for coverage in each assigned area. Tour of duty assignments are inclusive of Federal Holidays. Total work week is 40 hours per week depending on the FTEE and clinic location.