Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist will be located at the White River Junction - Vermont VA Healthcare System. The Respiratory Therapist is an integral part of the heath care team - rendering a wide variety of respiratory care modalities and associated diagnostic services.

Qualifications

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
• 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)
• 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: 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: Respiratory Therapist - GS-05
• (a) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (b) 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
• (a) Experience - Education - Licensure and Registration
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must possess their RRT credential
• (b) 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
• (a) 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
• (b) 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
• (a) 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
• (b) 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/141 - Part II Appendix GS11 REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST - GS-0601 - dated March 12 - 2021
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds)
• Light lifting (under 15 pounds)
• Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds)
• Light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• Pushing (some hours)
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 4 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Kneeling (some hours)
• Repeated bending (some hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Both eyes required
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• No skin allergies
• 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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties: Responsible for Mechanical Ventilation Management - CPAP/BiPAP Ventilation - Administration of Aerosolized Medication - Bronchial Hygiene - Airway Management - Oxygen Therapy - Aerosol Therapy
• Responsible for Diagnostic Testing such as bedside Spirometry - EKGs - Pulse Oximetry
• Assist Pulmonologist in Therapeutic Bronchoscopy procedures - Arterial Blood Gas sampling - and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Responsible for performing Home Oxygen Evaluations - Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) - Bronchial Provocation Testing (Methacholine Challenge) - Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing - Home CPAP/BiP APNP AP set-ups with Compliance Checks - Mask Fitting and Dispensing - Patient Education - and basic maintenance
• Assess patients by history - pulmonary physical assessment - and chart review before the start of therapy
• Changes in these findings during therapy and results of therapy will be recorded
• Utilize knowledge regarding the use of medications in respiratory therapy and will observe the patient for desired and adverse effects of those medications - as well as the effects of the type of therapy delivering the medications
• Set up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators - end tidal CO2 monitors - oxygen delivery devices - and oximetry monitors
• Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital inpatients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols - incentive spirometry - and chest physical therapy
• Sputum specimens will be obtained by induction as ordered
• Patient education will be done in all aspects of respiratory care pertaining to the individual patient and according to the patient's or his/her family's ability to assimilate the information
• Function as an in-service educator to any personnel needing knowledge of respiratory therapy procedures - equipment - pulmonary anatomy - and physiology
• Function as a member of the Code Blue and Rapid Response Teams and is expected to be proficient in basic CPR - Emergency Airway Management to include Intubation and provide ventilation with use of resuscitation bag
• RRTs are responsible to maintain Out of OR airway certification including intubation checkoff
• Assist in transport within the medical center to other areas of the medical center for those patients requiring respiratory support as indicated
• During transport of patients RRT maintains clearance of airway - monitors vital signs - and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary
• Attend continuing education programs inside and outside the medical center as appropriate to keep abreast of changes and developments in respiratory therapy and in other areas impacting respiratory therapy and to maintain CEU's for state license and NBRC credentialing
• Draws arterial blood samples from patients throughout the medical center in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with established policy and procedure
• Provides equipment set up and cleaning - intraoperative assistance - and processing of all clinical specimens in the performance of fiber optic bronchoscopies
• Assists physician in performing bronchoscopy procedures
• Delivers respiratory care as needed in the more complex respiratory care procedures and to poor risk patients such as those in the older age group
• Participates in the audit of respiratory care - recommending changes where indicated
• Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care using hospital policies and procedures - including appropriate cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines
• Responsible in assisting the Cardiopulmonary leadership with creating - revising - and implementing various respiratory procedures - performance improvement monitors and processes - and to participate on various clinical focused committees
• ADMINISTRATIVE Obtains orders for therapy and diagnostic procedures
• Utilize computer skills for patient documentation and other service work
• Understands and adheres to policies and procedures of Cardiopulmonary Services - Medical Service - and the VA White River Junction Health Care System
• Other Responsibilities: In addition to the technical duties - RRT is responsible for the following functions: Assist the Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist and Chief - Respiratory Care order and maintains a proper level of supplies
• Ensures that reports and procedures are processed and returned to the requesting physician on a timely basis
• Ensures that all respiratory medical equipment is in good condition and are following all safety codes
• The Registered Respiratory Therapist will report any problems immediately.