Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is a member of the VA healthcare team and performs quality therapeutic and diagnostic respiratory care under the order of a healthcare provider with recognized prescribing authority. The incumbent displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in Respiratory Care.

Qualifications

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:

• To qualify for appointment as an RRT - all applicants must possess the following: 1
• 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
• 2
• Education
• Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor
• 3
• 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
• 4
• 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
• (2) 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
• 5
• Physical Standards
• Work is primarily performed in environmentally controlled inpatient and outpatient care areas
• Walking and standing for extended periods required
• Must be able to physically access all areas of service
• Pushing and pulling equipment up to seventy pounds - moving and lifting supplies - lifting - bending - stooping - and exposure to body fluid is involved
• This position has been evaluated as a Level 1 in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) definition of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens
• Level 1 positions in this category require the performance of tasks that are exposed to blood and potentially infectious body fluids
• 6
• 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 REQUIREMENTS All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above in paragraph 4 a-g and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment
• All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title - as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment: a
• Respiratory Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist GS-05 positions designated in this qualification standard are developmental positions under the 0601 series and do not have the same requirements as Respiratory Therapists in the 0651 series
• The Respiratory Therapist title in this standard may only be used at the GS-05 level while the incumbent is working towards obtaining the RRT registration
• b
• Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Working titles - such as program coordinator - assistant chief - national program manager - etc. - may be used at the organizational level to designate the work of the position
• c
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) d
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) e
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary/Polysomnography) f
• Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist g
• Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist GRADE DETERMINATIONS In addition to the basic requirements for employment - 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-11 Experience - Licensure and Credential
• Candidates must have: 1
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• 2
• 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: 1
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes
• 2
• Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities
• 3
• Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management
• Assignments
• This assignment is the full performance level
• 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 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.

Duties

• FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE The services performed by RRTs at the DC VAMC include - but are not limited to - the following activities performed in accordance with valid orders or under established protocols: - Equipment selection and setup to appropriately provide care ordered by physician or protocol - Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices - humidification and aerosols - Administration of medication to the cardiopulmonary system - Transport of patients to and from areas for special procedures on oxygen - BiPAP - or transport ventilators - Verification of all orders before implementation - Discontinuation or exchange of all equipment - and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with VHA Directives and facility and department policies - Maintenance of natural and artificial airways as necessary - including endotracheal suctioning - oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal suctioning - sputum induction - tracheal lavage - and securing of nasal or oral endotracheal tubes or tracheostomies - Ventilatory support - including initiation - maintenance - and management of life support systems - and the patient/ventilator interface - Administration of mixed gases (e.g. - nitric oxide mix - others as implemented per policy) - Bedside training of physicians-in-training and medical residents through patient contacts - discussions - consultations - Monitoring patient status as appropriate via arterial blood gases - chest auscultation - review of x-ray studies - clinical observation - Weaning and removal of ventilator support - with appropriate monitoring of patient and assessment of ability to maintain reliable spontaneous ventilation - Bronchopulmonary drainage and breathing exercises - Assurance of proper performance of all respiratory equipment used in patient care - Oversight of oxygen therapy provided by non-respiratory staff - Assistance with bronchoscopy as needed - once oriented - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - Participation in Rapid Response Team (RRT) - Assistance with insertion and maintenance of artificial airways including but not limited to endotracheal tubes (ET) and intubating laryngotracheo mask (ILMA) airways - Arterial punctures and arterial line draw - Blood gas analysis and associated quality control procedures - performed in accordance with qualification and performance guidelines developed by the College of American Pathologists and The Joint Commission - Calculate pertinent cardiopulmonary parameters (e.g. - A-a gradient - shunt - etc.) - Notification of physicians regarding abnormal results and the need for associated action relative to the patient's ventilatory and oxygenation status - Documentation of notification of critical values to appropriate care providers - Patient/family education - Collaboration/consultation with attending physicians - residents - fellows - interns - Pas - Nurse Practitioners - other hospital staff - Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk
• - Home oxygen evaluations - Appropriate - accurate and complete documentation for all services - Complete and detailed report of shift occurrences and patients status for oncoming staff - Various other duties as assigned The RRT practices professionally - must be reliable - able to work independently - and be self-motivated
• The RRT is responsible for performing job duties in accordance with mission - vision - and values of DC VAMC
• Work Schedule: Compressed Monday - Tuesday & Friday 8:00 pm to 8:30 am (Days may vary) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 688-26810-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized