The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) position within the Medicine Service. Work Schedule: Full-time, Varying shifts to include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Salary: GS-05 Step 1 $37,696 - GS-11 Step 10 $89,835 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Fair Labor Standards Act: Non-Exempt/Exempt depends on grade Bargaining Unit Status: Covered

Duties

Independently performs all aspects of respiratory care treatments. These include but are not limited to aerosol therapies, metered-dose inhaler, chest drainage and percussion and any other related treatments as may be indicated and/or ordered by a physician and performed by respiratory care personnel Cleans, sterilizes, and assembles all respiratory care equipment as may be required per manufacturer or departmental policy. Performs routine adjustments as needed. Effectively assists in the development of pertinent unit procedure/standards for implementation. Ensures that aseptic technique and standard precautions, as defined by CDC and Center policy, are always maintained. Contributes effectively to policy decisions related to the delivery of care. Effectively utilizes continuous quality improvement tools and identifies performance improvement opportunities to positively influence patient outcomes. As a member of the Code Blue team (resuscitation team), the respiratory therapist takes an active role in resuscitations and is responsible for airway management (endotracheal intubation), ventilation, blood gas obtainment and analysis, and overall resuscitation, airway establishment (endotracheal intubation), arterial blood gas analysis, oxygen, and other care as may be required and as per departmental policy in an emergency situation immediately and without prior physician notification. Performs critical care patient management techniques such as mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas analysis, intubation, airway management, homodynamic calculation and any other such patient related functions as deemed within the scope of practice of respiratory care practitioners and institutional policy. Obtain arterial mixed venous blood samples as indicated and obtains the results via blood gas analysis. The results are communicated with the respective physician after analysis is complete. Selects and adapts respiratory care procedures as may be required based on patient status. Actively consults with the physician and any other health care provider as deemed necessary to provide optimal care. Provides instructions to the patient and his/her family regarding theory, operation, cleaning, and actual use of cardiopulmonary treatment modalities as may be required. Provides education and instructions for physicians, students and other health care disciplines as may be requested. Maintains operating supplies in proper storage and communicated with designated party as to supply-status. Performs bronchial hygiene, such as suctioning and sputum sampling and induction as deemed necessary by personal observation and/or upon request by the physician. You would assess, identify, and provide care that recognizes the differing developmental and treatment needs of patients of different ages; specifically recognize the differing needs of the adult and geriatric patient populations served. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Registered Respiratory Therapist/FS# 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. (1)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. (a)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. (b)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. (c)RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d)Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07. Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures. March 12, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 II-G11-8 Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09. Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level;] OR A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. 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. AND 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 Qualification Standard, GS 0601. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Robert J Dole VA Medical and Regional Office Center 5500 East Kellogg Drive Wichita, KS 67218 US
• Name: John Balmer
• Phone: 316-469-0755
• Email: [email protected]