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.
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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part) 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. Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601series 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-0601series 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. 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 38U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) 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-07level. 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 GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and3)the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder. Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials. An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/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: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above 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. 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. 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. 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. 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-5 to GS-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.
Performs all aspects of respiratory care treatments and diagnostic studies in inpatient and outpatient settings under the general guidance of a full performance RRT. The primary duties include but are not limited to: 1. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. 2. RRTs assess and evaluate patients to develop and recommend or implement a plan of care, using protocols in respiratory modalities, medications, advanced modes of ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and intubation. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Aerosol and other respiratory medication therapies. 6. Lung function testing to include bedside, remote spirometry, and advanced pulmonary function testing in both inpatient and outpatient settings. 7. Oxygen evaluations resting and exertional via SpO2 or arterial blood gases and analysis. 8. Airway clearance therapies to include but not limited to manual percussion, chest vest, manual and mechanical cough assist, hyperinflation therapy and incentive spirometry. 9. Obtain, interpret, and analyze physiological specimens and data, and communicates the results to the respective physician after analysis is complete as required. 10. Assist with bronchoscopies to include bedside and advanced testing. 11. Participates in care team rounds. 12. 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. 13. Actively participates in the NORAM (non-operating room airway manager) training as provided by anesthesia services program. 14. 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. 15. RRTs participate as a member of the Code Blue team (resuscitation team), the Rapid Response Team (RRT), and Medical Assistance Team (MAT) as assigned. 16. 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. 17. Provide outpatient services including but not limited to diagnostic testing for oxygen evaluation, home sleep testing and COPD care. 18. 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. 19. 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. 20. Act as a liaison between veteran's and contracted vendors providing services, advocating for veterans, and ensuring prompt and appropriate delivery of services. 21. Follows standard precautions to prevent spread of disease. Ensures that aseptic technique and standard precautions are always maintained. 22. Cleans, sterilizes, and assembles all respiratory care equipment as may be required per manufacturer or departmental SOP. Performs routine adjustments as needed. 23. Document appropriately per departmental SOP and facility standards on all current charting platforms. 24. Assists in the development of new standard operating procedures, medical center policies, or protocols. 25. Utilizes continuous quality improvement tools and identifies performance improvement opportunities to positively influence patient outcomes. 26. Participates in section competency programs and projects. 27. Uses word processing and workbook processing software to execute office automations functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, activating printers, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Work Schedule: 24 hour operations with 12 hour Tour of Duty. Telework: Available (Ad-Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51426-A/54141-A