Summary

Registered Respiratory Therapists in VHA perform or supervise work concerned with administering respiratory care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies - diseases and abnormalities.

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:

• To qualify for appointment as an RRT - all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 -section A - paragraph 3g - of this part
• See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information
• 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 detailed in the VA Qualification Standard
• English Language Proficiency
• RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.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 for employment detailed above - all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Respiratory Therapist - GS-05 Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Education and Licensure
• This level assignment is designated as temporary for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor - acquired the CRT credential - licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential
• Assignment: This is the entry level developmental position
• RTs at this grade level perform basic therapeutic modalities in all areas of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RRT at the full performance level or higher
• RTs are responsible for such assignments as medication delivery related to respiratory care - initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy - assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway - evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds
• 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
• Assignments: This is a developmental position
• RRTs at this grade level will be responsible for the following assignments with minimal clinical supervision from an RRT at the full performance level
• RRTs complete patient assessment
• They use 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
• 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 airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• Assignments: This is a developmental position
• RRTs at this grade level are responsible for the following under general guidance
• RRTs obtain - interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data
• RRTs assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care - such as - implementing protocols - intubation - monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation
• They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators - PAP therapy - oxygen therapy and COPD care
• 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
• Assignments
• This assignment is the full performance level
• RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care
• They establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met
• RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols - respiratory modalities - bronchoscopy - medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation
• They monitor critical systems
• They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services - such as home ventilators and COPD case management
• RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment
• RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement
• They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff
• They may lead projects developing new policies - procedures or protocols
• Preferred Experience: Prefer 1+ years of experience at the GS-11 level
• 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.

Duties

• The Registered Respiratory Therapist provides care based on the physical - psychosocial - educational - and safety related criteria appropriate to the age of patients served in their assigned area
• This entails knowledge of human growth and developmental ability to assess and interpret data and provide care
• communication skills necessary to interpret response to treatment and ability to involve family/significant other in decision making related to plan of care
• Duties and Responsibilities: Includes - but not limited to: The Registered Respiratory Therapist can administer oxygen and aerosolized prescribed medications using standard respiratory equipment such as nasal cannulas - masks - humidifiers - nebulizer devices - mechanical ventilators to patients with and without artificial airways
• Initiates and monitors the delivery and effects of mechanical ventilation under the direction of authorized providers - both invasive and non-invasive
• Performs weaning parameters when patients are on mechanical ventilation
• Collects/induces sputum for specimens upon written order by provider
• Instructs patients on the proper use of incentive spirometry - purse lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing exercises
• During cardiac arrest - maintains the airway and ventilates using the oral airway - bag mask techniques - Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) - or performs emergency intubations
• Cleans - sets up - and verifies the operation of mechanical respiratory equipment such as flow meters - humidifiers - ventilators - CPAP/BIPAP - and specialty gases and regulators
• Correct minor machine malfunctions and apparent problems or sent to Biomedical for repair
• Records pertinent data associated with treatment such as time and type of therapy administered - equipment and medications used - a patient progress - and general observations of vital signs
• Perform patient assessment and make recommendations to prescribing physician if indicated
• The RRT will provide continuing education to other health care providers throughout the facility
• Will complete the inpatient home oxygen set up - ensure the order and charting are complete - and alert the home oxygen vendor of the pending set up
• Can assist in the Sleep Clinic and Sleep Lab as well as the Home Oxygen Program to perform normal RRT duties
• All other duties as assigned (ie: outpatient ABG - discharge nebulizer training - MDI training/patient education - mask fittings - PAP trouble shoot)
• Work Schedule: FT Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.