The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) position serves as a member of the Inpatient Respiratory Therapy Section within Specialty Care Service and is located at the Audie L. Murphy VAMC, in San Antonio, Texas. The Respiratory Therapy Section is a 24/7 clinical operation and is fully responsible for providing the full range of inpatient respiratory therapy services.
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. 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 provided below. (a) 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. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level. (b) 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. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (e) 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; and 3) 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. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grandfathering Provision: 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: i. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. 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. iii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iv. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. v. 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: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. 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: i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. 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: i. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Preferred Experience: -Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). -Basic understanding and application of computer use to include Word, Excel, and medical charting software. -Minimum 5 years of clinical experience in application of all oxygen modalities including low flow and high flow systems, aerosol and nebulizer delivery systems, airway clearance modalities and proficiency in collection and interpretation of arterial blood gases. -RRT-Adult critical care Specialist (RRT-ACCS) with minimum 3 years of clinical experience in intensive care units. Able to safely and competently initiate and monitor various mechanical ventilators, portable transport ventilators, and must possess knowledge and experience in delivery of inhaled nitric oxide. Able to initiate application of CPAP and Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV) devices. -Experience as crew member in ground or critical care transport team or team member of hospital acute care rapid response team. -Experience working in interdisciplinary teams, participating in patient care rounds, and experience in specialized procedures such as bronchoscopy assistance. -3 years of Emergency Department clinical experience. -5 years of clinical experience in care and management of artificial airways to include ability to perform complete tracheostomy care as well as knowledge with application of speaking valve on tracheostomy tube.
Duties may include but are not limited to: -Collect, review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records, care team, patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated. -Performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients and must be competent in monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation, assisting with bedside percutaneous tracheotomies, using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data, describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid base balance. -Apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where 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. -Communicate changes in the respiratory therapy plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate. -Make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values. -Provide effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, and facility staff when appropriate. -Perform emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards. -Actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement. -Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment. -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. Work Schedule: 7:30p.m. to 8:00a.m., alternating weekends and may include holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53375-F, 53846-F, 53845-F, 53844-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized