The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is assigned to Jacksonville, FL VA Clinic within VA North Florida/South Georgia Health Care. RRT's in VHA performs or supervise work concerned with administering respiratory care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies, diseases and abnormalities,

Duties

RTTs at the full-performance grade level perform basic therapeutic modalities in all areas of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RTT at the full performance level or higher. RTs are responsible for such assignments as medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds. In addition they are responsible for the following duties but not limited to: Administering respiratory medications including but not limited to nebulized medications, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, Respimat medications, etc.; understanding of and knowledge of adverse reactions and dosages. Oxygen therapy utilizing all available devices used to deliver oxygen Management and initiation of PAP therapy and devices Management and initiation of PAP therapy and devices. Pulse oximetry and end-tidal C02 monitoring. Educates and trains new respiratory staff, students, and members of the patient healthcare team Educates patients and families on respiratory therapies and treatments. Intra-hospital transporting of critically ill patients being mechanically ventilated or requiring respiratory assistance OOORAM Blood procurement for blood gas analysis via arterial lines, punctures or pulmonary artery catheters Blood gas analysis/interpretation to make adjustments to mechanical ventilation, PAP therapy and oxygen therapy. General maintenance of blood gas laboratory equipment and troubleshooting equipment issues/problems. Perform CPR (BLS required and ACLS strongly encouraged) and respond to code situations. Performs home oxygen therapy evaluations according to departmental procedure and obtains physician's orders for patients who qualify for home oxygen therapy or renewals. Schedules appointments for annual home oxygen evaluation and renewal. Performs pulmonary testing procedures such as basic spirometry (FVC, MVV, flow volume loops), complete spirometry (SVC, FVC, MVV, FRC, Diffusion Capacity, lung volumes), high altitude testing, and bronchial challenge testing. Sets up and monitors a variety of complex respiratory therapy equipment such as PAP and nocturnal oximetry equipment. Monitors patients closely to avoid incidents and to alter the plan as necessary. Downloads modems for physicians to review for patient compliance with PAP therapy prescribed for patients. Sets up nocturnal portable sleep monitors with physician's order. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600 Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: Not Available Functional Statement #: 276057 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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 To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following:, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. ? 7407(a) for more information. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 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 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 3 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. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. Grandfather Provisioning: 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. 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. (b)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. ii. 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. Assignment. RRTs complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members. They use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care. They place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning. RRTs obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples. They perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. RRTs provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. 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. Assignment. RRTs complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members. They use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care. They place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning. obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples. They perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. RRTs provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. 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. Physical Requirements: Work is Primarily performed in all patient care areas (in-patient or outpatient). The respiratory therapist is expected to be able to move, lift, bend, and stoop while performing duties with equipment, supplies and patients. Respiratory therapist must demonstrate the ability to handle stressful, challenging situations in a positive manner. Heavy Lifting, 45 pound and over, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Pushing, Pulling hand over hand, Use of fingers/ Both hands required, Walking 3 hours / Standing 3 hours, Repeated bending various hours, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Specific visual requirements (glass permitted), Ability to distinguished basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted) REFERENCE: VHA HANDBOOK 5005, APPENDIX G-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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Terry Moore
• Phone: 4239261171 X7782
• Email: [email protected]