The incumbent serves as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in the Respiratory Therapy Section of Specialty Care (Medical) Service at the Northern California Healthcare System. The Respiratory Therapy subsection is responsible for providing the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care.
Basic Requirements: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Language Proficiency: Registered Respiratory Therapists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 3. Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor. 4. Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist (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. 5. Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. (RRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, RTs are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of RRT by the National Board for Respiratory Care.) 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). The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA. Grade Determinations: 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. Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of clinical intensive ae as a respiratory therapist performing, mechanical ventilator weaning, assessing patients with respiratory disorders, arterial blood gas sampling, developing patient treatment plans, performing pulmonary function studies, and administering bronchial hygienic therapies. 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 GS-11. Physical Requirements: Must be able to Moderately Lift and Carry 15-44 lbs.; reach above shoulders; to use fingers, both eyes, have depth perception; distinguish different shades of color; ability to hear (hearing aids permitted). Ability to access all patient care areas as required. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator equipment. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.
Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary care team in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive patient respiratory care services. Acts as a full performance Registered Respiratory Therapist and resource to certified, novice, and developmental level respiratory therapists. Demonstrates independence in the specialty of Respiratory Care and practices respiratory therapy according to guides set forth by professional standards by the AARC or NBRC. Performs respiratory care utilizing evidence-based practices and references national guidelines. Precepts and mentors' new hires and students for clinical development when needed within VHA. Maintains and monitors ventilator patients as required per guidelines and make the necessary adjustments based on blood gas analysis with the physician's approval. Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen delivery devices, re- breathers, HFNC, IPV and pulse oximetry monitors. Evaluates patients for fluid overload, recommends treatment modality via evidence based practices and takes physician verbal orders and transcribe appropriately. Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory medications in a timely and safe manner according to physician orders, recommendations of drug conversions, and institutes national protocols when necessary. Assists physicians in placing advanced artificial airways into patients as required. Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday to Friday, 7:00am - 7:00pm (Variable tour of duty which may include nights and swing shifts as mission needs dictate.) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00678-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized