Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

Under the supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Therapy Services, the incumbent performs duties in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board for Respiratory Care, the American Association for Respiratory Care, and the policies and procedures of Raymond G. Murphy Medical Center. Established protocols and procedures guide the treatment, management, evaluation, and care of patients with conditions affecting the cardiopulmonary system.

Duties

• Efficiently assigns staff and delegates tasks to meet workload deadlines. Educates patients, families, and healthcare teams on respiratory care equipment, procedures, policies, and medications. Communicates clearly across diverse groups to resolve issues. Provides hemodynamic and noninvasive monitoring in ICU settings. Performs therapeutic respiratory modalities and administers prophylactic Pentamidine treatments. Conducts arterial blood gas sampling and offers Point-of-Care i-Stat services for critical patient assessment. Analyzes physiological data including ABGs, pulse oximetry, and ETCO2. Collaborates with physicians and healthcare professionals to optimize respiratory outcomes. Executes therapeutic and diagnostic procedures using medical gases, delivery devices, humidification, and aerosol therapies. Performs airway management and mechanical ventilation. Assists in developing and implementing new respiratory techniques and equipment. Maintains accurate documentation of care activities. Cleans, inspects, calibrates, and maintains respiratory equipment and supplies. Demonstrates expertise in Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) reprocessing, following SOPs and manufacturer instructions for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and maintenance. Completes required competency validations and supports quality assurance practices to ensure safe, effective patient care. Adheres to infection control standards to prevent cross-contamination and comply with regulations. Work Schedule: The work schedule will be discussed during the interview. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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: Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-0601 Qualifications Standard 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: In the role of respiratory therapist, the work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and moving moderately heavy equipment or assisting patients. The work requires the employee to demonstrate agility and dexterity.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.