Registered Respiratory Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) to deliver respiratory care in both inpatient and outpatient settings at the Chalmers P. Wylie VA ACC.

The role requires coordination with physicians and healthcare professionals to develop and monitor care plans and ensure quality patient outcomes. Qualified candidates must hold an active RRT credential, be licensed in the state, and meet the KSAs for the GS-11 level.

Qualifications

• Must have completed a respiratory care program accredited by CoARC or its successor.
• Candidates must hold and maintain an active, full, current state license to practice as an RRT.
• RRT credential and license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data.
• Formulates a respiratory therapy plan based on patient assessment.
• Communicates changes and recommendations with the health care team in writing and verbally.
• Provides education and training to patients, students, and coworkers as appropriate.
• Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients.
• Responds to emergencies with respiratory therapy interventions as per guidelines.
• Participates in quality assurance and performance improvement activities.

Skills

Clinical collaboration

Patient assessment

Data interpretation

Emergency procedures

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

Active RRT licensure

Job description

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist at the Chalmers P. Wylie VA ACC independently provide respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They will use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They will consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty.

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist at the Chalmers P. Wylie VA ACC independently provide respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They will use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They will consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty.

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
• 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
• Failure to Obtain Credential
• In all cases - RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment
• Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment
• The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs - in writing - the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential
• 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired
• and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline
• The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder
• 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements - all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: None 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
• Physical Requirements: May require moderate carrying (15-44 lbs.)
• straight pulling
• pushing
• reaching above the shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking
• standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• ability to distinguish shades of color
• emotional and mental stability
• hearing (aid permitted)
• The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time
• frequent bending - reaching - stooping - and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus
• and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator equipment.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Reviews - collects - and evaluates relevant clinical data
• Formulates an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment
• Communicates orally and in writing - changes - adjustments and recommendations with other healthcare team members
• Provides effective education and training to patients - students and co-workers as appropriate
• Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients
• Examples include but not limited to: Arterial puncture - blood gas analysis - pulmonary function testing - bronchoscopy assistance - pulmonary rehabilitation - endotracheal intubation - oxygen administration etc
• Performs emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m
• to 4:30 p.m
• Telework: Ad-Hoc - available at the discretion of the agency
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 91186A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized