Career Center

The Albany VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for three Registered Respiratory for the Specialty Care service. The Registered Respiratory Therapist is a respiratory care practitioner who has passed the registry exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and who is employed under medical direction in the treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities, of the cardio/pulmonary system. Respiratory. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States 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: (1) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 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: Physical Demands: Work will fluctuate from sedentary to moderate physical requirements. Physical demands will include but are not limited to bending at the waste, reaching above the head, lifting from the knees <10lbs, pushing and pulling < 25lbs. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office, clinic, and inpatient setting. Office/clinic setting normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lit, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Inpatient environment is adequately lit, heated and ventilated. Personal Protective Equipment will be worn according to any precautions posted. 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). Creditable Experience. Experience is only creditable if credentialed as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or RRT, the experience is in respiratory care, pulmonary function testing or polysomnography and directly related to the position being filled. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) associated with current practice in paid employment as a CRT or RRT. 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/Specialized Experience. Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support certification required. Assignments. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment when indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. ["Respiratory Therapists function as members of the medical team in treating and assessing the needs of individuals who may be seriously ill and provide around the clock care to individuals who otherwise would not be able to survive life-threatening conditions. This is the full performance level for the RRT journey level position. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures, or protocols. The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the full performance level assignment at the GS-11 level. 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. They will perform all assigned functions of the GS-07 and GS-09, in addition to the following duties: 1. Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data. 2. Formulates an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment. 3. Communicates orally and in writing, changes, adjustments, and recommendations with other healthcare team members. 4. Provides effective education and training to patients, students, and co-workers as appropriate. 5. Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. 6. Performs emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines. 7. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. 8. Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice. 9. Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment. 10. May serve as therapist-in-charge when assigned and/or in the absence of the Chief of Respiratory Care. 11. Promotes a customer-centered environment, taking personal responsibility for problem solving and effective courteous communication with patients, their families, medical staff, students, and co-workers. 12. Provides patient care, which is appropriate to the cultural, cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. 13. A Respiratory Therapist will demonstrate the ability to utilize computer-based technologies, software, and programs. Performs other duties as assigned. The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Therapy, who establishes objectives and department priorities. The incumbent is expected to complete work assignments with relative independence and minimal guidance, personally setting the deadlines for work completions. He or she assumes responsibility in work assignments in accordance with regulations and independently and resolves most conflicts by using considerable judgment and interpretation. Work is reviewed to ensure that overall objectives of the position are met. Work Schedule: varies Functional Statement #: 21P21-A"]

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