Registered Respiratory Therapists - (RRTs) - at this full performance level are responsible for independently administering treatment to ambulatory - non-ambulatory - and critically ill patients in the inpatient care setting. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plans of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within their scope of practice.
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
English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor
Please select the response below - that represents how you meet the education requirement
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
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: GS-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist: Experience or Education - 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 In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: 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: Pulmonary Function Testing experience
Reference: VA Handbook 5005/141 - Part II - Appendix G11
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 work involves participating in lengthy - difficult procedures
Above average dexterity is required to calibrate and operate the technical equipment
Positioning and lifting patients may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions
Duties
Services are rendered in collaboration with the ordering provider - either by specific orders - policy - or established protocol
These functions and responsibilities are supported by education and administrative oversight
Periodically specific functions may change
The primary services include - but are not limited to: a
Incumbent will have a great deal of independence in the performance of their duties
b
Incumbent will collect - review - and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records - care team - patient - and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated
c
Incumbent will be capable of performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients
Example: monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation - assisting with bronchoscopy - using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data - describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid-base balance
d
Incumbent will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care when indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment - history - lung auscultation - chest x-ray - pulse oximetry - etc
e
Incumbent will communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate
Additionally - the incumbent will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values
f
Incumbent will provide effective and relevant education to the patient - family - students - and facility staff when appropriate
g
Incumbent will perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures
h
Incumbent will perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards
i
Incumbent will actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement
The Therapist will comply with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices
The Therapist will demonstrate working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocols
j
Incumbent will maintain clinical and professional competence based upon established standards of practice
k
Incumbent assembles - checks - and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment
l
Incumbent will participate in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy - maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility
m
The incumbent will perform duties assigned by management
Work Schedule: Variable Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 08575-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
