The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served.
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. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. May qualify based on being covered by the Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure. People 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. People 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. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12. Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. The following certifications are desirable but not required: a. CPFT, b. RPFT or c. RPSGT. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing. ii. Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing. iii. Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing. iv. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data. v. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. RRTs at this grade level in this position are designated for complexity level 3 facilities only. In addition to the assignments of the full performance level position, incumbents are also responsible for performing home sleep testing, home oxygen evaluations and ordering, patient instruction on sleep disorders and use of therapeutic equipment along with a combination of the duties from the following assignments below as Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary), Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary/ Polysomnography) under paragraphs(6)(a)-(c) and (7). This assignment is not appropriate and cannot be used in facilities designated at complexity level 1 and 2 (see assignments below beginning in paragraphs (6)(a)-(c) and (7) for facilities designated as complexity level 1 and 2). 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
FUNCTIONS: A: Home Oxygen 1. Compare and evaluate the indications and contraindications for home oxygen. 2. Explain the importance of following physician prescribed flow rates. B. Invasive Diagnostic Procedures 1Performs arterial blood sampling for analysis. Area II: Disease Management A. Management of Chronic Diseases 1. Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities. 2. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. B. Management of Acute Diseases 1. Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. 2. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. Area IV: Evidence-Based Medicine and Best Practice Guidelines A. Evidence-Based Medicine 1. Ability to retrieve credible sources of evidence. 2. Applies evidence-based medicine to clinical practice. Area V: Patient Assessment A. Patient Assessment 1. Completes the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members. 2. Obtains medical, surgical, and family history as appropriate. B. Diagnostic Data 1. Reviews and interprets pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry. 2. Reviews and interprets lung volumes and diffusion studies. C. Physical Examination 1. Inspects the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies. 2. Measures vital signs (pulse oximetry, heart rate, respiratory rate). and exercise). Area VI: Leadership A. Knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care B. Ability to communicate orally and in writing at varying levels, both internal and external to the organization Area VII: Emergency and Critical Care A. Emergency Care 1. Perform basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. 2. Maintain knowledge and skills necessary to retain certification as per associated guidelines as stated above. Area VII: Assessment of Therapeutics A. Assessment of Need for Therapy - Assesses the need for therapies in all patient settings. 1. Medical gas therapy 2. Humidity therapy B. Assessment Prior to Therapy 1. Review order and/or implement protocol. 2. Review patient history, laboratory results, and imaging data. C. Administration of Therapy 1. Select and assemble equipment. 2. Apply and administer therapy. D. Evaluation of Therapy 1. Recognize complications and respond to adverse effects. 2. Recommend therapy modifications. Area VIII: Application of Therapeutics to Respiratory Care Practice A. Medical Gas Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to gas delivery systems in all patient settings 1. Evaluate compressed gas cylinders. 2. Evaluate regulators and flow meters. B. Humidity Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to humidity therapy systems in all patient settings. 1. Evaluate unheated passive humidifiers. 2. Evaluate active and passive heat-and-moisture exchangers (HMEs). C. Aerosol Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to aerosol systems in all patient settings. 1. Evaluate non-medicated, large-volume nebulizers, heated and unheated. 2. Evaluate for delivery of medication. D. Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to lung expansion equipment in all patient settings. 1. Evaluate incentive spirometers (flow-based and volume-based). 2. Evaluate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. E. Airway Clearance Therapy 1. Evaluate proper positioning for bronchial drainage. 2. Evaluate chest percussion: manual and mechanical percussors. F. Airway Management- Apply knowledge, understanding and troubleshooting skills using airway management in all patient settings. 1. Perform the head-tilt chin-lift airway-opening maneuver. 2. Perform the jaw lift without head extension maneuver. G. Mechanical Ventilation 1. Incorporate the mechanical ventilation principles listed in critical care. 2. Evaluate the need and use of CPAP devices. IX. Post-Acute Care A. Patient Assessment 1. Assess physical-vital signs, functional capacity. 2. Assess cognitive level of comprehension, reading level, language barriers. B. Environmental Assessment 1. Educate on oxygen safety to include, but not limited to the presence of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, smoking cessation, evacuation routes, open flames. 2. Educate on infection prevention by disinfecting home medical equipment. C. Therapeutic 1. Evaluate limitations that exist with equipment used in the post-acute care setting. Work Schedule: 0700-1530 M-F.