Registered Respiratory Therapist
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Observes and assesses critically ill patients using physical examination, verbal and written communication from patients, family, and other healthcare team members, critical care monitoring devices, lab and test results, and other data as relevant to patient care. Administer/implements therapeutic measures as ordered, including but not limited to mechanical ventilation, BiPAP, CPAP, artificial airway evaluation and care, suctioning, sputum collection, administration of nebulized medications, obtains and performs ABGs using I-STAT lab system, percussion and postural drainage, equipment/ supply changes per hospital and department policies, and pertinent x-ray interpretation regarding endotrachial tube placement, pneumothorax recognition, atelectasis recognition, etc. Identifies and responds to both existing and potential emergency situations by initiating corrective treatment, medications, and emergency and resuscitative measures based on appropriate utilization of physician orders, unit and hospital guidelines and ACLS protocol. Communicates significant information in a timely, knowledgeable, and professional manner to physicians, other healthcare personnel, patients, and family members to facilitate safe and effective delivery of patient care. Identifies patient/family education needs and provision of patient/family teaching on matters involving or affecting patient care, including nutritional, psychosocial, and age-specific or developmental needs. Supports and participates in unit/hospital programs and responsibilities regarding safety, quality improvement, risk management, infection control, policy and procedure revisions, staff meetings, in-services, Home oxygen program assistance, and other functions as they arise. Contributes to the ongoing creation of a supportive and positive work climate of mutual respect and collaboration among health care team members, patients, families, and others interacting with our critical care unit. Performs cardiopulmonary functions such as assistance with diagnostic/therapeutic bronchoscopies and other interventional/diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures within the respiratory therapist scope of practice. Manages and maintains respiratory care equipment and procedures, to include training, cleaning, documentation, infection control, quality improvement, and accountability. Communicates with the home care providers to provide accurate information about patients needs at home and while hospitalized. Able to effectively perform oxygen evaluation for VA/DOD in-patients, & VA out-patients in clinic. Performs patient documentation, oxygen template order in-put, oxygen program daily operations & processing. Maintains current CPRS access, and familiarity of CPRS use. Thorough documentation must be completed by the respiratory therapist for all treatments, assessments, education, changes in therapies, ventilator changes, emergency care, transports or any other significant findings that may pertain to the patient's care. Work Schedule:
Variable tours between 6:
30AM - 7PM, Sunday - Saturday, adjusted to cover operation as mission dictates. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Certification as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Has a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either:
(1) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, OR (2) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June 1974. 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). Preferred
Experience:
At least 1 year of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Grade Determinations:
GS-7:
None beyond the basic requirements. GS-8:
Candidates must have all of the following:
At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience at this level is work which includes duties such as:
administering assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters; administering and monitoring advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive airway pressure; developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators; assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment; performing the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care; and providing in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. Demonstrated knowledge and ability needed to perform complex respiratory procedures with minimal supervision. Is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment, with great reliance on the individual's knowledge of the equipment. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; service as a shift leader or supervisor or sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift; and to plan and conduct training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-11, April 15, 2002 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-8. Physical Requirements:
Work may require Heavy lifting and carrying (45 lbs and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to see computer screen, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid permitted). Environmental factors may include excessive cold, dry atmospheric conditions,slippery or uneven walking surfaces working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, exposure to bodily fluids, and exposure to infectious disease.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Observes and assesses critically ill patients using physical examination, verbal and written communication from patients, family, and other healthcare team members, critical care monitoring devices, lab and test results, and other data as relevant to patient care. Administer/implements therapeutic measures as ordered, including but not limited to mechanical ventilation, BiPAP, CPAP, artificial airway evaluation and care, suctioning, sputum collection, administration of nebulized medications, obtains and performs ABGs using I-STAT lab system, percussion and postural drainage, equipment/ supply changes per hospital and department policies, and pertinent x-ray interpretation regarding endotrachial tube placement, pneumothorax recognition, atelectasis recognition, etc. Identifies and responds to both existing and potential emergency situations by initiating corrective treatment, medications, and emergency and resuscitative measures based on appropriate utilization of physician orders, unit and hospital guidelines and ACLS protocol. Communicates significant information in a timely, knowledgeable, and professional manner to physicians, other healthcare personnel, patients, and family members to facilitate safe and effective delivery of patient care. Identifies patient/family education needs and provision of patient/family teaching on matters involving or affecting patient care, including nutritional, psychosocial, and age-specific or developmental needs. Supports and participates in unit/hospital programs and responsibilities regarding safety, quality improvement, risk management, infection control, policy and procedure revisions, staff meetings, in-services, Home oxygen program assistance, and other functions as they arise. Contributes to the ongoing creation of a supportive and positive work climate of mutual respect and collaboration among health care team members, patients, families, and others interacting with our critical care unit. Performs cardiopulmonary functions such as assistance with diagnostic/therapeutic bronchoscopies and other interventional/diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures within the respiratory therapist scope of practice. Manages and maintains respiratory care equipment and procedures, to include training, cleaning, documentation, infection control, quality improvement, and accountability. Communicates with the home care providers to provide accurate information about patients needs at home and while hospitalized. Able to effectively perform oxygen evaluation for VA/DOD in-patients, & VA out-patients in clinic. Performs patient documentation, oxygen template order in-put, oxygen program daily operations & processing. Maintains current CPRS access, and familiarity of CPRS use. Thorough documentation must be completed by the respiratory therapist for all treatments, assessments, education, changes in therapies, ventilator changes, emergency care, transports or any other significant findings that may pertain to the patient's care. Work Schedule:
Variable tours between 6:
30AM - 7PM, Sunday - Saturday, adjusted to cover operation as mission dictates. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Certification as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Has a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either:
(1) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, OR (2) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June 1974. 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). Preferred
Experience:
At least 1 year of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Grade Determinations:
GS-7:
None beyond the basic requirements. GS-8:
Candidates must have all of the following:
At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience at this level is work which includes duties such as:
administering assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters; administering and monitoring advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive airway pressure; developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators; assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment; performing the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care; and providing in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. Demonstrated knowledge and ability needed to perform complex respiratory procedures with minimal supervision. Is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment, with great reliance on the individual's knowledge of the equipment. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; service as a shift leader or supervisor or sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift; and to plan and conduct training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-11, April 15, 2002 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-8. Physical Requirements:
Work may require Heavy lifting and carrying (45 lbs and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to see computer screen, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid permitted). Environmental factors may include excessive cold, dry atmospheric conditions,slippery or uneven walking surfaces working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, exposure to bodily fluids, and exposure to infectious disease.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$53,176 to $86,763 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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