The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at the Salt Lake City VA provide respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. They perform work concerned with administering routine, intensive, and emergent Respiratory Care and Life Support to patients with Cardio-Pulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities in the acute care setting.

Duties

Provides CPR and Oxygen needed to patients during Cardiac and/or Respiratory emergencies. Assists with transporting of patients to appropriate care area. Performs and/or assists with intubation when appropriate. Participates in assessing the patient's condition. Assesses the respiratory status of patients by observing pulse rate, observing respiratory rate, auscultation of breath sounds, monitoring SpO2, interpretation of blood gas results and reviewing patient medical history. Participates with medical and nursing staff in treatment planning for patients with respiratory needs. This includes making recommendations to physicians regarding alterations in treatment plans. Assesses the effectiveness of ventilation management, including management of care of patient on CPAP/BiPAP, and developing plans for and implementing therapies, and techniques used to liberate patients from mechanical ventilation. Serves as a liaison with physicians and nursing staff at the full performance Respiratory Therapist. Performs and/or assists physicians with testing and studies, including but not limited to oxygen saturation, end tidal/expiratory carbon dioxide, bedside spirometry, nocturnal oximetry, CPAP/BIPAP auto-titrations, intubations, extubations, therapeutic/diagnostic bronchoscopies and weaning parameters. Draws arterial blood samples and recommends potential changes in patient care plans, based on results. Cleans, assembles, calibrates, and monitors complex respiratory/diagnostic equipment, including but not limited to pressure and volume ventilators, CPAP/BIPAP machines, transport ventilators, bedside spirometers, percussors, oximeters, and assisted-cough devices. Administers therapeutic modalities including, but not limited to CMV, SIMV, PCV, APRV, Psupp, PEEP, CPAP, BIPAP, Aerosol Therapy, Medical gases, Flutter Valve Therapy, CPT with pneumatic compressor, EZ-PAP, IPV, Artificial Airway Maintenance, Suctioning of nasal and tracheal airways, Sputum Induction, Nitric Oxide, and Medication delivery. As appropriate, adjusts ventilator parameters to bring about a change in the patient's respiratory status. Develops plans, and applies various techniques, to decrease patient's dependence on ventilators. Understands function and use of lnoVent Nitric Oxide delivery system and current use with mechanical ventilators. Administers Nitric Oxide via ventilator or face mask is required. Assists patients with oxygen cylinder exchange and/or portable oxygen refills twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week and assists with Oxygen setups upon discharge. Provides oxygen and life support to patients during cardiac and/or respiratory emergencies. Provides instructions to patients on therapy performed and/or CPAP/BiPAP. Performs various procedures to control and maintain artificial airways, including tracheostomy care. Applies knowledge of age-specific concepts when contributing to patient's Plan of Care, specifically geriatric populations. Meets other age-related needs as identified by the Health Care Team. Documents patient care and/or procedures performed accurately in the computerized medical record system, on worksheets, and/or in logs as required. This includes, but is not limited to, CPRS, Essentris, Rapidcomm and BCMA. Conducts in-service education/training for hospital staff, co-workers, students, patients, and families. Functions as the sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift if circumstances dictate. Serves as a resource therapist, being the primary responder to Rapid Response Team (RRT) pages, and to assist colleagues with their assignments. Maintains workrooms, storage areas, and medical supply inventories. Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural diversity, race, gender, and others individual differences in the workforce, in the Veteran population, and in the community. Work Schedule: 12 hour night shift to be determined after hire Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51972-A, 51973-A, 51974-A, 51246-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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 English Language Proficiency: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken & written English as required by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f) 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 & maintain for the duration of employment a full, current & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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 )(8) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full & unrestricted RRT credential & be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level & 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 Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment 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 & may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing: the requirement to obtain their RRT credential; the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; & the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series & performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on March 12, 2021 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher? grade levels Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. ? 7401 (3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status & must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA GRADE DETERMINATIONS GS-05: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements Education & 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 & are working towards obtaining RRT credential GS-07: Experience, Education, Licensure & Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA's): 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 & other basic diagnostic procedures Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians & other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes Skill in assessing oxygenation & ventilation Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways & mechanical ventilation GS-09: Experience or Education, Licensure & 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 Posses an RRT license & credential Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA's): 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 & other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes Skill in assessing oxygenation & ventilation Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways & mechanical ventilation GS-11: Experience, Licensure & 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 RRT license & credential Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians & 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 & ventilation management Preferred Experience: Full performance level GS-11, RRT with current ICU experience References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11 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 5 to GS 11 Physical Requirements: Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, & visitors is involved. Moving equipment & supplies, lifting 30 lbs, bending, stooping, & possible exposure to body fluid is involved. Must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. Sight-corrected to 20/20 vision, pushing 65Ibs, prolonged standing & walking, two hands with good dexterity, understands & practices safety procedures, use of aseptic techniques & required personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with patients in isolation

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 VA SALT LAKE CITY HCS 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 US
• Name: MISTY CHESLEY
• Phone: 8015821565 X3747
• Email: [email protected]