Registered Respiratory Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Maine VA Medical Center in Augusta, ME, is seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist (GS-11) to provide comprehensive respiratory care in inpatient and outpatient settings.

The role involves collaboration with physicians, managing airway/ventilation, and contributing to care plans under the supervision of the Medical Service. Applicants must hold a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program, an active RRT license, and English proficiency; citizenship

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship as required; citizens preferred
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing for patient care
• Education from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program
• Current unrestricted RRT license in a state of practice

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care in inpatient and/or outpatient settings.
• Consult with physicians and healthcare staff to develop and monitor care plans.
• Manage airway and ventilation using appropriate equipment and techniques.
• Precept and mentor lower-graded staff; participate in policy/protocol development.

Skills

Collaborative consultation

Therapy modality evaluation

Advanced airway/ventilation management

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

Job description

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

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.

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