The Inpatient Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is a member of the healthcare team in the Clinical Support Care Line at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, performing quality therapeutic and diagnostic respiratory care under the order of a healthcare provider with recognized prescribing authority. Under the supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care Services, the incumbent displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in Respiratory Care.

Duties

*** THIS POSITION IS FOR NIGHTS AND ALTERNATING WEEKENDS *** The services performed by RRTs at the Philadelphia VAMC include, but are not limited to, the following activities performed in accordance with valid orders or under established protocols in both the inpatient and outpatient settings: Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. Develop, administer, and re-evaluate patient care plans Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute-care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. Review and interpret pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry Review and interpret lung volumes and diffusion studies. Review and interpret arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests. Inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies. Measure vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate) Evaluate patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles. Measure and document oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during sleep, ambulation, and exercise) Skill in communicating data, policies, and regulations Be able to perform basic life support (BLS) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines Be able to perform endotracheal intubation. Perform arterial line placement and management Perform as a member of the rapid response team (medical emergency team) Participate in mass-casualty staffing to provide airway management, manual and mechanical ventilatory life support, medical gas administration, aerosol delivery of bronchodilators and other agents in the resuscitation of respiratory and cardiovascular failure. Manage monitoring system and airway devices Make treatment recommendations based on waveform graphics, pulmonary mechanics, and imaging studies Apply knowledge, and analysis of use of therapeutic medical gases Identify indications for circulatory gas exchange devices. Collaborate with other professionals in care management built upon evidence-based medicine and clinical protocols Deliver therapeutic interventions based on evidence-based medicine and clinical protocols Medical Gas Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to gas delivery systems in all patient settings Humidity Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to humidity therapy systems in all patient settings Aerosol Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to aerosol systems in all patient settings Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to lung expansion equipment in all patient setting Airway Clearance Therapy, .Airway Management- Apply knowledge, understanding and troubleshooting skills using airway management in all patient settings Mechanical Ventilation Patient Assessment Initiate patient monitoring equipment and understand interpretation of data (e.g., infant apnea monitors, pulse oximetry, ETC02). Apply to practice ventilation modes currently available on ventilators used in the post-acute care setting, invasively and non-invasively Interpret data available on post-acute care ventilators as well as CPAP/Bi-level devices Integrate compliance data monitoring respiratory devices remotely Work Schedule: This position is working nights & weekends - M-F 11:00 PM - 7:30 am, rotating weekend shifts the second week Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, 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-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. Assignments. This is a developmental position. RRTs at this grade level are 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. RRTs 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. They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. RRT (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. 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. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus; lifting , repositioning, safely moving patients medium lifting 35 lbs. and under and with assistance as needed; and pushing or pulling heavy objects (over 50 lbs.) such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator equipment, routinely lifting and carrying small equipment items (less than 50lbs). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11

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 Corporal Michael J Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 3900 Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104 US
• Name: Tina Otteni
• Phone: (814) 860-2764
• Email: [email protected]