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. 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. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. March 12, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 II-G11-5 Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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. 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 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: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07 Experience, Education, Licensure…

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/.