Registered Respiratory Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 70,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Augusta, ME is seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist to join the Medical Service team at VA Maine Medical Center.

The role requires delivering complex respiratory care, managing invasive and noninvasive ventilation, and collaborating with physicians to develop care plans. Applicants should have an active RRT credential and a CoARC-accredited education, plus state licensure.

Qualifications

• Must meet VA education and licensure requirements for RRT.
• U.S. citizenship or eligible per VA policy.
• English language proficiency.
• Active license and RRT credential; grade GS-11 requires 1 year of qualifying experience.
• Demonstrated KSAs: consult with physicians; evaluate modalities; advanced airway management; monitor patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments.
• Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as ventilators and monitoring devices.
• Performs bedside diagnostic tests to assess respiratory status.
• Assists with advanced airway placement as required.
• Responds to cardiac arrests with artificial ventilation as needed.
• Trains staff on treatments, equipment safety, and procedures.

Skills

Airway management

Ventilation management

Patient assessment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Emergency response

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

RRT credential (NBRC)

State licensure to practice as an RRT

Tools

Ventilators

End tidal CO2 monitors

PFT analyzers

Oxygen delivery devices

Job description

Summary

This Registered Respiratory Therapist position is in Medical service at the VA Maine Medical Center - located at the Augusta - Maine location.

Summary

This Registered Respiratory Therapist position is in Medical service at the VA Maine Medical Center - located at the Augusta - Maine location.

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

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-11 Experience - Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level and 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: Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes
• Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities
• 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
• Preferred Experience: 1-3+ years Experience in acute care settings ICU - ED - or medical surgical units Ventilator management experience (invasive and non-invasive) ABG (arterial blood gas) sampling and analysis Bronchoscopy assistance experience BLS - ACLS and PALS certification NBRC credentialing as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments
• Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators - end tidal CO2 monitors - oxygen delivery devices - re-breathers and oximetry monitors
• Performs bedside diagnostic tests to assess the respiratory status of patients
• Under general guidance performs Advanced Airway placement of LMA placement or may assist physicians and full performance RRT's in placing more advanced artificial airways into patients as required
• Under guidance - during cardiac arrests - initiates artificial ventilation using mouth-to-mask techniques or a manual ventilation bag to restore patient's heartbeat and maintain ventilation
• During transport of patients - maintains clearance of airway - monitors vital signs - and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary
• Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols - and incentive spirometry - chest physical therapy
• Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments given - various types of medications used - and the set up and operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautions
• Calibrates complex respiratory equipment under guidance such as PFT analyzers to assure accurate performance
• Records treatment - findings and progress pertinent to patient care
• Ensures that reports and procedures are processed and returned to the requesting physician on a timely basis
• Ensures that all machines and equipment are in good condition and are in compliance with all safety codes
• The therapists will report any problems immediately
• Distribute tanks to various clinical areas as needed
• Collect empty tanks and return to the designated storage room
• Daily updates the tank level logs to reflect the number of empty and full tanks in stock
• In addition to the technical duties - the incumbent is responsible for the following functions: Orders 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 machines and equipment are in good condition and are in compliance with all safety codes
• Report any problems immediately
• Evening shift therapists will also perform the following: Monitor and maintain adequate levels of oxygen tanks in at least the Special Care Unit - the Post Anesthesia Care Unit - the medical/surgical wards - Emergency Department and the Nursing Home Care Unit
• Distribute tanks to various clinical areas as needed
• Collect empty tanks and return to the designated storage room
• Updates the tank level logs to reflect the number of empty and full tanks in stock
• Performs all other duties as assigned
• Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
• Work Schedule: Shift Varies Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Registered Respiratory Therapist/PDF02865 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service
• This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• Current and former federal employees may submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - Notice of Personnel Action
• The SF-50 should include details such as the position title - series - grade - step - tenure - and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In certain instances - multiple SF-50 forms may be necessary to demonstrate a higher grade previously held.