Registered Respiratory Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist to provide expert respiratory care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The therapist will Assess data and patient conditions to establish a plan of care and determine if outcomes are met, consulting with physicians to ensure quality care.

Applicants must have completed an accredited respiratory care program and hold a current RRT credential and state license; US citizenship and English proficiency are required

Qualifications

• US citizenship is required for appointment.
• English proficiency in spoken and written English is required for direct patient-care positions.
• Completion of a respiratory care program accredited by CoARC or its successor.
• Full, current, unrestricted state license to practice as an RRT.
• Current credential as an RRT.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care in inpatient and/or outpatient settings.
• Assess data and patient conditions to establish and implement a plan of care.
• Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality patient care.
• Manage airway and ventilation using appropriate mechanical means.

Skills

Consult with physicians

Interpret physiological data

Plan of care

Education

Respiratory Care Program Accredited by CoARC

Job description

The Registered Respiratory Therapist will work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs 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.

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: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient‑care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.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.
• Certification.: 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.

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-11

Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: responsible for the following under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. 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 through the use of appropriate mechanical means. Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.

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.

Preferred Experience.

Not Applicable

Reference.

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

Physical Requirements.

Work is primarily performed in patient care areas, 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).