Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

Summary

This position is located at the Oscar G Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility.The RRT Administers various Respiratory Therapy procedures, assesses the respiratory status of patients utilizing physical observation and clinical analysis to determine the therapy effectiveness and make recommendations to providers against treatment changes.

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: 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 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 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT
Exception
Respiratory Therapists, who are certified and working towards obtaining their 'registration' credential, 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
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 made under the authority of 38 U.S.C
7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment
RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received
RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT
Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
Failure to Obtain Credential: In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment
Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the RT series and may result in termination of employment
Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An Employee in this Occupation, who fails to maintain the required RRT Credential or license must be removed from the Occupation, which may also result in termination of employment
Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care
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:Experience, Licensure and Credential 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
COPY OF CERTIFICATE/LICENSE MUST BE SUBMITTED AT TIME OF APPLICATION
In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11
dated March 12, 2021.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

'The incumbent serves as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for inpatient and Outpatient services.
The RRT Administers various Respiratory Therapy procedures, assesses the respiratory status of patients utilizing physical observation and clinical analysis to determine the therapy effectiveness and make recommendations to providers against treatment changes.
The incumbent will be competent to perform within the areas of the section to meet patient care needed.
Major Duties: Performs pulmonary function tests including spirometry, flow rates, volume measurements, DLCO, and RV.
Performs all calibration, calculations and patient instructions necessary to insure accurate test results Performs arterial punctures to obtain arterial blood gas samples Performs sputum inductions, having patients breathe nebulized particles.
The technician will also, if necessary, perform nasal tracheal suctioning to obtain culture using aseptic technique Performs complex respiratory procedures independently and is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment Performs and verifies all preventive maintenance and internal quality control of all equipment used to insure and maintain maximum proficiency with proper documentation, plotting, and corrective actions as necessary Conducts and develops educational in-services in Respiratory Therapy procedures for nursing staff, staff therapists, etc.
Provides appropriate equipment for patients receiving respiratory therapy with necessary changes to maintain infection control as outlined in department policy and procedure manual.
Performs electrocardiograms and transmits results through MUSE Helps in education and training of new staff.
Teaching consists of but is not limited to BCMA, CPRS, ventilator set up- checks, Bi PAP, ABGs, EKGs, and daily routine of therapy work Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Mon-Fri- 08:00am-4:30pm (with evening and weekend rotations) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required'