The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced Respiratory services to adults and geriatric patients at the VA . The therapist plans, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including; mechanical ventilators, continuous positive pressure devices, pulmonary function, arterial blood gas equipment and oxygen monitors/analyzers. 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. 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). 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. d. 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. 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. 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. 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 REQUIREMENTS. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 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) 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. AND (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. AND (c) Perform 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, References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying 45 pounds and over; use of fingers; both hands required; standing; both legs required; near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4; hearing without aid; working closely with others. ["PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The incumbent will institute oxygen and compressed air therapy on the wards and/or in the clinic area in accordance with the physician's orders utilizing nasal catheters, cannulas, face masks, high humidity face tents and other types. He/she will administer routine breathing treatments (ex. Positive pressure etc.) and initiate and monitor the continuous or intermittent ventilation of patients via endotracheal or cuffed tracheostomy tubes, using the various mechanical ventilators available for this purpose. He/she will assure that all equipment subject to his/her use is scrupulously clean and in good working order at all times. He/she will administer routine examinations of the patients under his/her care to obtain such necessary physiological monitoring parameters as tidal volume, minutes ventilation, effective compliance, and inspiratory and expiratory pressure. The incumbent will actively participate in educational activities directed at the patient and his/her respiratory problems in the home setting. Positive Airway Pressure The incumbent will be knowledgeable in the certain patient chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and others with transitory yet acute breathing abnormalities, which benefit from the use of treatments by positive pressure devices utilizing various medications as indicated by the disease process. The employee will ensure that these treatments are properly administered for optimum patient benefit. This modality will be carried out with little or no supervision on a routine basis. The employee will also be instrumental in the instruction of family in the proper technique of trachea-bronchial toilet and equipment sterilization to prevent the recurrence of pulmonary infection in the home. The employee will follow each patient receiving treatments, closely while in the hospital, visiting them at least daily or more frequently if indicated. Answering questions and reinforcing instructions as needed. Intensive Respiratory Care The incumbent will install, monitor and maintain continuous ventilation devices on critically ill patients when indicated. These devices to include, the PB980, Hamilton G5, Hamilton C1,Hamilton MR1 Vent (MRI) and Respironics BIPAP Vision. He/she will be knowledgeable in the monitoring of the equipment and the patient relative to his/her response to artificial ventilation. The employee will assist the physician and/or the intubation of seriously ill patients to facilitate their mechanical ventilation, ensuring the use of the proper tube size for minimal air flow resistance and guaranteeing a patient route for the mobilization and removal of secretions. He/she periodically inspects the patency and placement of this artificial airway. Equipment Maintenance and Cleaning Recognizing that equipment used in the care of respiratory disease patients is the prime vector for many serious nosocomial infections, it is important that the incumbent is aware of the necessity and actively participates in a program of infection control. In conjunction with SPS personnel, he/she will ensure that reusable medical equipment (RME) and all equipment is scrupulously clean and other appliances that maintain a close interface with the patient and patient's airway is washed/wiped thoroughly and prepared for SPS processing and/or other process per SOP before use. He/she will assist in bacterial surveillance on an ongoing basis recommending changes in technique as they become apparent to minimize the inoculation of patients with untoward infection. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: multiple shifts available Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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