Registered Respiratory Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Wyoming (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for the Wyoming Outpatient Clinic. The RRT provides basic and advanced respiratory care in inpatient and outpatient settings and plans, implements, and evaluates care procedures.

Applicants must hold an active RRT credential and state license, with competencies spanning arterial/ventilatory support, CPAP, oxygen therapy, and COPD care; telework is not available for this position.

Qualifications

• Must have completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
• Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full-current and unrestricted license as an RRT.
• Credential required; temporary appointments permitted for those pursuing credentials.
• Employees must meet English language proficiency requirements as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic and advanced respiratory care in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Plan, implement and evaluate respiratory care procedures.
• Independently manage patient care with equipment like ventilators, PAP therapy, and oxygen.
• Assist with pulmonary function testing and related assessments.
• Deliver home ventilation, PAP therapy, and COPD care in outpatient contexts.

Skills

Airway management

Pulmonary function testing

CPAP equipment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Respiratory care procedures

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

Tools

CPAP equipment

Pulmonary function testing equipment

Ventilators

Job description

Summary
The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for the Wyoming Outpatient Clinic. At the full performance level - RRTs work independently providing basic and advanced respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The Registered Respiratory Therapist plans - implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels.

Summary
The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for the Wyoming Outpatient Clinic. At the full performance level - RRTs work independently providing basic and advanced respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The Registered Respiratory Therapist plans - implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels.
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

• 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
• Exception
• RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT
• These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below
• VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential
• Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor - acquired the CRT credential - are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT
• The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
• 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment
• Candidates must hold an active - current - full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level
• RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education - credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation
• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - of this part
• See 38 U.S.C.
• 7407(a) for more information
• 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 for employment above - 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
• Examples of GS-09 competencies are: interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data
• consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty
• 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
• and provide outpatient services such as home ventilators - PAP therapy - oxygen therapy and COPD care
• Hold an active US state 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: Experience working with CPAP equipment is preferred
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• References: VA Handbook 5005/141 - PART II - APPENDIX G11 - Appendix G11
• REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST - GS-0601
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
  

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: RRTs at this grade level work independently providing basic an advanced respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings
• The Registered Respiratory Therapist plans - implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures
• The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels
• There are several assignment areas at the full performance level including inpatient - pulmonary function - bronchoscopy - outpatient services and home oxygen
• INPATIENT SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES (All Respiratory Staff) Incumbent will have a great deal of independence in the performance of their duties
• Incumbent reviews - collects and evaluates relevant clinical data from the medical record and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met
• RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols - respiratory modalities - bronchoscopy - medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation
• Incumbent 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
• PULMONARY FUNCTION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: Incumbent performs basic spirometry - pre/post bronchodilator spirometry - lung volumes - diffusion - plethysmography - and MIPs/MEPs in the lab or at bedside - including adequate coaching - recognition of improperly performed maneuvers - corrective actions - and interpretation of test results
• Incumbent compares and evaluates indications and contraindications for advanced pulmonary function tests (plethysmography - diffusion capacity) and recognizes normal/abnormal results Incumbent calculates - notes - and reports all pulmonary function parameters for physician interpretation
• RESPIRATORY/PAP CLINIC DUTIES Provides education to patients/families/care providers relating to the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea
• Provides instruction to patients/families/caregivers on use and maintenance of home respiratory equipment: home ventilators - nebulizer and compressors - PAP units and other home respiratory therapy modalities
• Responds to patient calls related to home respiratory care
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #:941130 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized