Respiratory Therapist

Job Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA EDRP program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Responsibilities

• The ability to function in both a team leader and educator to the In-patient RRT Staff.
• Knowledgeable on all new modalities of therapy and out of OR advanced Airway Care, mechanical ventilation procedures, and patient care and assessment teaching.
• Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing.
• Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing.
• Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing.
• Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data.
• Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring.
• Ability to coordinate a home oxygen program which will include ordering home oxygen evaluations, an expert level knowledge of VA oxygen qualification standards, and high-level familiarity of home oxygen modalities.
• Assist physician staff in the management of patients on home ventilation modalities.
• Knowledge of home sleep testing and high-level interpretation knowledge and will coordinate with hub facilities on professional interpretation of sleep studies and coordinate veteran care to external partners.
• Responsible for setting up, monitoring, and troubleshooting all modalities of home ventilators (invasive and non-invasive) and oxygen delivery systems.
• May ensure annual oxygen qualification standards for patients are maintained.
• Follows Respiratory Driven Protocols to provide a consistent procedure for respiratory therapists in partnership with physicians to manage invasive mechanical ventilation, adjusting as necessary, drawing ABG's to monitor patient status.
• Skill in training RRTs, other staff and/or patients/caregivers on existing and newly acquired equipment, therapies, and medications.
• Ability to determine the continuing education needs of staff to identify appropriate resources to meet those needs.
• Ability to develop clinical policy, procedures, protocols, competencies, and simulations relative to respiratory care.
• Sets up and changes oxygen delivery devices and assures proper delivery of ordered liter flow or concentration.
• Maintains knowledge of respiratory drugs, appropriateness of therapy, patient's response to therapy, adverse drug effects, and proper drug dosage.
• Participates in both the planning and delivery of respiratory care related teaching and training programs for the patient and patient's caregiver.
• Maintains current training in Basic Cardiac Life Support (American Heart Association) and Advanced Cardiac Life-Support.
• Performs arterial blood gases and able to recognize critical results and alert physician and RN within established Laboratory Policy.
• Ability to assess patient's respiratory status using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis.
• Performs Cardiac Monitoring with Zio Patch with proper placement and performs teaching to the patient regarding testing and equipment.
• Performs basic HST (Home Sleep Testing) and communicates tests to Pulmonary Physician for interpretation.
• Assists physician in the performance of exercise tolerance tests (Cardiac Stress Tests), according to policy and procedure.
• Performs pulmonary function testing including routine spirometry, flow volume loop and pre- and post- bronchodilator studies.
• Performs oximetry testing, exercise and resting, titrates oxygen liter flow for appropriate saturations and reports in main computer system.
• Performs instruction for hook up of overnight oximetry testing for patient and/or patient caregiver.
• Sets up CPAP Auto-Titrate studies on patients, downloads and interprets data, relays to physician findings of CPAP Auto-Titrate.
• Sets up home oxygen for patient as ordered by physician; notifies vendor, completes order in computer system.
• Sets up and instructs on Home CPAP/BiPAP as ordered by physician, notifies vendor, completes order in computer system.
• Identifies continuing education and training needs within the respiratory department.
• Assumes responsibilities to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate programs involving respiratory care for the benefit of patients and the other disciplines within the health care facility.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; performs complex respiratory procedures.
• Leads in-service respiratory teaching and training, maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility.

Work Schedule

Schedule will vary, alternating nights, weekends and holidays as necessary for coverage.

Functional Statement #:

55011-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:

Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized:

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact Information:

Jillana.Martinez@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn More:

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications:

• Basic Requirements:
  • United States 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.
      • 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.
  Grade Determinations:
  • GS-12 Experience- Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
  • GS 11 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.
  • AND Hold an active license and RRT credential.
  • AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
    • Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing.
    • Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing.
    • Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing.
    • Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data.
    • Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring.
  Preferred Experience:

More than 2 years experience in the field.

Recently worked in the ICU with a good knowledge of critical care.

Can place arterial lines, intubate, independent with ventilators, and understands outpatient clinics.

Has experience in writing policies, procedures, and competencies.

2 years of experience of managing work assignments.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements:

VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Work is primarily performed out-patient care areas, but can be both inpatient and outpatient.

Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors is involved.

It may involve walking, standing, and bending, reaching and stretching to set-up and taking apart equipment, lifting and positioning patient and carrying, pushing or pulling moderate heavy objects (15-44 lbs.).

Education:

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional Information:

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.

For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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