Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration at Cincinnati VA Medical Center seeks a Registered Respiratory Therapist to deliver diagnostic evaluation and comprehensive respiratory care for inpatients and outpatients.

You will perform ABG analysis, oximetry, ETCo2 monitoring and spirometry, collaborating with physicians to optimize patient outcomes and manage oxygenation and ventilation, including basic airway management.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship is required, with non-citizens eligible only per VA policy.
• Graduate of a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program.
• Full, current, unrestricted license to practice as an RRT.
• Valid RRT credential.
• English language proficiency for direct patient care.
• Grandfathering provision may apply to current VA employees.

Responsibilities

• Provide diagnostic evaluation, assessment, and respiratory care to inpatients and outpatients.
• Perform arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, ETCo2 monitoring, spirometry.
• Collaborate with physicians and healthcare professionals to achieve favorable patient outcomes.
• Assess oxygenation and ventilation, and perform basic airway management including artificial airways.
• Assist with mechanical ventilation and related procedures.

Skills

Therapeutic modalities

Arterial blood gases analysis

Oxygenation assessment

Ventilation assessment

Airway management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

RRT credential

Job description

The Registered Respiratory Therapist for the Cincinnati VA Medical Center primary functions encompass diagnostic evaluation, assessment, and provision of respiratory care services to both inpatients and outpatients in the facility.

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.
• 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.
• 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).

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 Determinations

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-05

Nothing beyond the basic requirements is required.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07

Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration.

In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09

Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential.

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level;

OR

• A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11

Experience, Licensure and Credential.

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Knowledge, skills and abilities at the GS-09 level are:
  • Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
  • Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
  • Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
  • Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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.

Preferred Experience

• Two years experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP).

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 in the range of GS-05 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements

• Considerable walking/standing may be required.
• Frequent lifting, positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when assisting with the transfer of a patients or when moving equipment or supplies.
• Frequent, prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required.
• Manual dexterity and mobility are required.
• Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling or crouching may be required.