Summary

Respiratory Therapy is a life-supporting - life-enhancing health care professional practice under qualified medical supervision. Respiratory care services - both diagnostic and therapeutic - are provided to patients with known or suspected disorders of the cardiopulmonary system.

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
• Exception: RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT
• These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below
• (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential
• Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor - acquired the CRT credential - are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT
• The temporary appointment is for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment
• Candidates must hold an active - current - full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level 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)
• Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education - credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education - credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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
• 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: 3+ years experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 11
• Physical Requirements: Sight corrected to 20/20 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Occasional heavy lifting 45 pounds or greater
• Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds
• Pushing 1 hour Reaching above shoulder Repeated stooping Repeated bending Occasional kneeling Prolonged Standing and walking Two hands with acceptable dexterity Ability to sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time
• Possible exposure to body fluids is involved
• Incumbent must possess and maintain a current unrestricted valid state driver's license The physical requirement varies with work assignments.

Duties

• Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty
• RRTs assess and evaluate patients to develop and recommend or implement complex care - using protocols in respiratory modalities - medications - advanced modes of ventilation - supplemental oxygen - and intubation
• They select and adapt respiratory care procedures as may be required based on patient status - recognizing the differing developmental and treatment needs of patients of different ages
• Specifically - the differing needs of the adult and geriatric patient populations served
• RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment as indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment
• Performs critical care patient management techniques such as - non-invasive - and invasive ventilation - intubation - airway management - hemodynamic calculations and any other patient related functions as deemed within the scope of practice of respiratory therapists and institutional policy
• Medication delivery related to respiratory care - initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy
• Lung function testing to include bedside - remote spirometry - and advanced pulmonary function testing in both inpatient and outpatient settings
• Oxygen evaluations via Sp02 and arterial blood gases and analysis
• Airway clearance therapies to include but not limited to manual percussion - chest vest - manual and mechanical cough assist - hyperinflation therapy and incentive spirometry
• Obtain - interpret - and analyze physiological specimens and data - and communicates the results to the respective physician after analysis is complete as required
• Assist with bronchoscopies to include bedside and advanced testing
• Participates in care team rounds
• Sleep diagnostics and therapies or other related treatments as may be indicated and/or ordered by a physician or other licensed independent practitioner and performed by respiratory care personnel - as per departmental procedures
• Actively participates in the NORAM (non-operating room airway manager) training as provided by anesthesia services program
• RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement when allowed by institutional policy or emergency intubations - with appropriate NORAM (non-operating room airway manager) training
• Performs bronchial hygiene - such as suctioning - and sputum sampling and induction as deemed necessary by personal observation and/or upon request by the physician or other licensed independent practitioner
• RRTs participate as a member of the Code Blue team (resuscitation team) - the Rapid Response Team (RRT) - and Medical Assistance Team (MAT) as assigned
• The respiratory therapist takes an active role in resuscitations and is responsible for airway management to include but not limited to endotracheal intubation or Laryngeal Mask Airway placement - oxygen delivery - ventilation - obtaining and analyzing arterial blood gas samples and any other care as may be required per institutional policy or departmental procedures in an emergency immediately and without prior physician notification
• Provide outpatient services including but not limited to diagnostic testing for oxygen evaluation - home sleep testing and COPD case management
• Manage or arrange delivery and set up of respiratory equipment such as home ventilators - sleep therapy equipment - oxygen therapy equipment - airway clearance devices - and COPD/ALS adjunct therapies
• May need to perform home visits with patients receiving home respiratory equipment and/or oxygen - driving will be required
• Provides instructions to the patient and his/her family regarding theory - operation - cleaning - and actual use of cardiopulmonary treatment modalities to include but not limited to home suction devices - home ventilators - cough assist and chest physiotherapy
• Act as a liaison between veteran's and contracted vendors providing services - advocating for veterans - and ensuring prompt and appropriate delivery of services
• Follows standard precautions to prevent spread of disease
• Ensures that aseptic technique and standard precautions are always maintained
• Cleans - sterilizes - and assembles all respiratory care equipment as may be required per manufacturer or departmental SOP
• Performs routine adjustments as needed
• Document appropriately per departmental SOP and facility standards on all current charting platforms
• Provides education and instructions for physicians - students - and other health care disciplines in the proper utilization of respiratory care equipment and therapy
• Work Schedule: Variable Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 554-54396-A - 554-54397-A - 554-51426-A - 554-51414-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized