The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) contributes to Patient Centered Care strategies. They plan, organize, and coordinate clinical inpatient and outpatient services and assist the Supervisor with process improvement and quality improvement ideas.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Assist with developing routine policies/procedures, monitor quality assurance/performance improvement (specifically examining the appropriateness of care, problem identification/prevention, and cost reduction). Precept respiratory therapy students and other health care personnel regarding respiratory care modalities and treatment. Observes and monitors signs and symptoms, general behaviors, reactions and general physical responses to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing. Determines whether signs, symptoms, behaviors, reactions or general responses exhibit abnormal characteristics. Performs pulmonary diagnostic testing. Performs diagnostic and testing techniques in the medical management of patients to assist in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating pulmonary abnormalities, including measurement of ventilatory volumes, pressures and flows, and collection of specimens of blood and the respiratory tract. Measures and monitors hemodynamic and physiologic function related to cardiopulmonary pathophysiology. Administers: Medical gases, aerosols, and humidification. Lung expansion therapies Bronchopulmonary hygiene therapies Pharmacologic and therapeutic agents necessary to implement therapeutic treatment or diagnostic regimens prescribed by a licensed independent practitioner. Inserts and maintains artificial airways. The inpatient respiratory therapist will maintain Out of Operating Room Airway Management (OOORAM) certification. Initiates, monitors, modifies, and discontinues invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Performs basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Performs invasive procedures (i.e. suctioning of secretions) that relate to respiratory care. Implements changes in treatment regimen based on observed abnormalities and respiratory care protocols to include appropriate reporting and referral. Instructs patients in respiratory care, training in self-care, home respiratory care management and promotes the maintenance of respiratory care fitness, health, and quality of life. Assist other inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department personnel as necessary. Responsible for acquiring general knowledge of respiratory care, medical center policies, and VA Directives. Assist with clinical instruction of respiratory care students. Performs EKGs: Instructs the patient with respect to the procedure and refer questions to the clinical team when appropriate. Properly documents and stores information and documents related to performance of EKGs. Strengthens personal therapeutic knowledge and clinical skills through attending and participating in continuing education programs. Responsible for maintaining state licensure and continuing education units. Evaluates quality of the respiratory care provided to individually assigned patients. Modifies and adjusts care plan or equipment for optimal patient care outcomes. Collection of specific respiratory care data using defined criteria and instruction to submit for evaluation and review. Performs sleep desaturation studies. Cleans sleep oximetry Administers therapy and treatment to ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients in all inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, and Emergency Department. PMDB Provides diagnostic and therapeutic Cardiopulmonary Care to Veterans. Recommends changes in the Pulmonary Clinic to improve services and patient care. Resolves technical work problems with the aid of references, such as manuals, troubleshooting guides, and other reference sources. Responsible for assisting with timely ordering and stocking of supplies and parts. Responsible in assisting with updating manuals and procedures and recommending policies. Reports progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to the Supervisor. Assists in planning and implementing effective educational programs for in services, orientation, continuing education, and other personnel training. Participates in the training/education of personnel. Responsible in performing diagnostic pulmonary function studies, which include spirometry with and without a bronchodilator, diffusion studies, and lung volume measurements. This includes patient instruction, testing, equipment/computer setup and interface, troubleshooting, and preliminary interpretation. Responsible in assisting to assure Quality Improvement in the Clinic. Work Schedule: Primarily Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm; occasional weekends and holidays 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document.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 and 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 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. (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. 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 Requirements: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. 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. 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 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11The 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US
• Name: Kimberly Harvey
• Phone: 208-891-5798
• Email: [email protected]