Summary

Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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: RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision: 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 for employment - all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs) up to and including the Full Performance Level (GS-11): In addition to the minimum requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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
• Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professional to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• 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
• Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-12 - Above the Full Performance Level Experience - Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have: 1
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• 2
• Hold an active license and RRT credential (the following certifications are desirable but no required: SPFT - RPFT or RPSGT)
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above - candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing
• Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing
• Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing
• Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data
• Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring
• Preferred Experience: None above the Qualification Standard Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Promotion Potential: This vacancy is above the full performance level
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts that require special safety and health precautions
• Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes incumbent to biohazards - hazardous chemicals and hazardous medications common in health care environment
• Such exposure will be mitigated in accordance with local policies and operating procedures as per USP800 standards - OSHA guidance and local risk assessment practices
• Standard safety precautions and PPE are required and specified per local policies.

Duties

• This Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) position is responsible for providing the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care and is above the full performance level of the occupation
• RRTs at this level must possess the following: Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the circulatory and pulmonary systems and the major organs associated with these systems is required
• In addition - knowledge of a variety of related acute and chronic disorders and diseases - their effect on the lungs and heart - and the method of treatment
• Knowledge of the pharmacology of common respiratory drugs - common dosages - typical and atypical patient responses and side effects is required
• Knowledge of respiratory therapy and all necessary equipment including but not limited to concentrators - mechanical ventilators - CPAP and Bi-level therapy equipment - pulse oximeters - end-tidal CO2 monitors - suction equipment - oxygen delivery systems - conserving devices - airway clearance devices - portable spirometry testing equipment
• The incumbent is expected to perform patient - family - and caregiver education as needed and will educate and train new staff - students - and members of the healthcare team
• He/she must have expertise in the operation of all respiratory care equipment and be able to select and manipulate the respiratory equipment and therapy to meet patient needs
• Skill in performing equipment troubleshooting - minor repairs - mask fittings - and equipment cleaning - calibration - and maintenance is required
• The incumbent shall be able to monitor vital signs - perform and interpret arterial blood gases - and perform clinical assessments - recommend treatment options - and assess patient response appropriate for a registered respiratory therapist
• The therapist is skilled in arterial puncture by utilizing arterial puncture technique with collections via careful anaerobic technique - proper storage of blood until analyzed and utilizing all necessary safeguards to prevent complications from this technique
• The therapist performs this duty routinely and without supervision
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting positive airway pressure equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring
• Ability to monitor for non-therapeutic effects of a mask used in combination of positive airway pressure
• Ability to triage positive airway pressure related problems - downloading data - assessing for compliance and PAP therapy treatment related issues
• If it falls within the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the facility/service line
• the ability to make recommendations for pressure setting changes - implement and monitor them
• seeking guidance from licensed independent practitioner (LIP) - in sleep service line when needed
• Ability to Implement written order from a licensed independent practitioner
• Ability to manage patients on positive airway pressure and recognize when they become unstable
• The Therapist checks - orders - and maintains an adequate number of supplies needed for the inpatient and outpatient clinic areas
• The supplies are to be stocked - assembled and placed in the appropriate areas to maintain a safe - clean work environment
• Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing
• Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing
• Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing
• Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data
• Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring
• Interacts with a wide variety of professionals including Physicians - APRN - Nurses - other Supervisors - and sales representatives
• The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care
• A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties - both major and minor - that are not mentioned
• Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy - and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served
• Essential functions are required to be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time for above full performance ratings
• The Therapist will be provided the opportunity to cross train to other areas within the service line and participate in special projects or committees
• Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 608-F07837 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Contact Jaime.Perez3@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized