Registered Respiratory Therapist
The incumbent is responsible for high quality performance of outpatient and inpatient respiratory care to include ventilator management, intubations and arterial blood draws. Incumbent will be responsible for following all protocols and procedures as established for the treatment, management, evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. The services include, but are not limited to, the following activities performed with little or no direct supervision:
Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices, humidification and aerosols Administration of medication to the cardiopulmonary system Ventilatory support, including maintenance and management of life support systems, and the patient/ventilator interface Bronchopulmonary drainage and breathing exercises Pulmonary rehabilitation CPAP/AutoPAP/BiPap Therapy Home Oxygen Evaluation Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Code Blue Response Team/Rapid Response Team (STAT Team) Insertion and maintenance of airways/Out of Operating Room Airway Maintenance Arterial puncture Blood gas analysis (PFT Lab when assigned) Pulmonary Function and exercise testing (when assigned) Patient/family education Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. 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 the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital Work Schedule:
Day/Evening/Nights with a mix of 8 hour and 12 hour shifts to ensure adequate float coverage. Every other weekend required. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
United States Citizenship:
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Certification Requirements:
Candidates must have a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either:
(1) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, OR (2) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June 1974. English Language Proficiency:
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized 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). Preferred
Experience:
Grade Determinations:
a. GS-7. None beyond the above basic requirements. b. GS-8. In addition to meeting the above basic requirements. Candidates must have all of the following:
(1) At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience at this level is work which includes duties such as:
administering assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters; administering and monitoring advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive airway pressure; developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators; assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment; performing the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care; and providing in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. (2) Demonstrated knowledge and ability needed to perform complex respiratory procedures with minimal supervision. Is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment, with great reliance on the individual's knowledge of the equipment. (3) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; service as a shift leader or supervisor or sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift; and to plan and conduct training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-8. Physical Requirements:
Moderate Lifting (15-44 Lbs.); Moderate Carrying (15-44 Lbs.); Straight Pulling (up to 2 hour); Pushing (6 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6 hours); Standing (6 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far Vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental and Emotional Stability.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices, humidification and aerosols Administration of medication to the cardiopulmonary system Ventilatory support, including maintenance and management of life support systems, and the patient/ventilator interface Bronchopulmonary drainage and breathing exercises Pulmonary rehabilitation CPAP/AutoPAP/BiPap Therapy Home Oxygen Evaluation Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Code Blue Response Team/Rapid Response Team (STAT Team) Insertion and maintenance of airways/Out of Operating Room Airway Maintenance Arterial puncture Blood gas analysis (PFT Lab when assigned) Pulmonary Function and exercise testing (when assigned) Patient/family education Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. 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 the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital Work Schedule:
Day/Evening/Nights with a mix of 8 hour and 12 hour shifts to ensure adequate float coverage. Every other weekend required. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
United States Citizenship:
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Certification Requirements:
Candidates must have a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either:
(1) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, OR (2) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June 1974. English Language Proficiency:
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized 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). Preferred
Experience:
Grade Determinations:
a. GS-7. None beyond the above basic requirements. b. GS-8. In addition to meeting the above basic requirements. Candidates must have all of the following:
(1) At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience at this level is work which includes duties such as:
administering assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters; administering and monitoring advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive airway pressure; developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators; assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment; performing the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care; and providing in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. (2) Demonstrated knowledge and ability needed to perform complex respiratory procedures with minimal supervision. Is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment, with great reliance on the individual's knowledge of the equipment. (3) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; service as a shift leader or supervisor or sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift; and to plan and conduct training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-8. Physical Requirements:
Moderate Lifting (15-44 Lbs.); Moderate Carrying (15-44 Lbs.); Straight Pulling (up to 2 hour); Pushing (6 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6 hours); Standing (6 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far Vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental and Emotional Stability.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$43,251 to $62,269 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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