Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) are active care providers who are responsible and accountable for assigned patient care. Incumbent is expected to use professional clinical skills in carrying out duties which as their goal is to have an optimal therapeutic outcome for each individual patient. The RRT is under the technical and administrative supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care, the medical direction of the director of Respiratory Care at the Loma Linda VA Medical Center.

Duties

Duties at the full performance level include, but are not limited to: Plans, implements, recommends, and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory related services. Applies Evidence-Based Medicine clinical practice to inpatient and outpatient services. Collects data from the patient and/or significant other by interview, examination, and review of records. Documents results and patient responses to therapy and tests. Understands the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Communicates with other health team members in appropriate manner (i.e. orally, written, or electronically) any significant changes or observations. Recognizes, recommends, and communicates the need for medical intervention in the best interest of patient health and safety. Identifies patient problems in collaboration with other health care team members and makes appropriate recommendations for patient care. Establishes goals that are congruent with other health team members caring for the patient. Plans appropriate teaching/learning activities with patient and staff. Follows established policies and procedures regarding prescribed medication, treatments, equipment use, and patient care, as well as, policies and procedures related to ABG sampling and ABG laboratory regulations. Maintains skills to assist or perform of variety of diagnostic procedures including bronchoscopies and arterial blood gas sampling, and advanced airway and ventilation management. Demonstrates the ability to consistently document care utilizing electronic and paper documentation forms, in a clear and concise manner, including patient responses, education, and other pertinent data. Adapts to shifting patient care needs including escalation of care and acceptance of additional patient responsibilities as needed. Initiates, maintains, and manages mechanical ventilatory support, invasive and non-invasive, utilizing a variety of critical care ventilators as appropriate and operates outpatient home ventilators. Initiates appropriate and effective emergency patient care. Participates as an active member of the Rapid Response Team and Code Blue Team when part of work assignment. Maintains skills in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, and End tidal C02 (ETCo2) monitoring. Perform basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results. Facilitates continuity of care by reporting pertinent information in appropriate charting forms and in shift report. Documents patient responses or lack of response to respiratory care on appropriate forms according to department policy and procedure. Assesses own needs for continuing education and assumes responsibility for professional development. Attends educational programs, workshops, and in-services to increase professional competence in areas such as COPD case management and new ventilator modalities. Collaborates with the patient and significant others to identify educational needs and to assess learning readiness of patient. Participates in teaching and orientation of Respiratory Therapists and other health care personnel. Assists in development of department policy and procedure. Identifies topics or problems in Respiratory Care conducive to research. Participates in program development contributing to policy and procedure change. Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention (i.e. hand washing, universal precautions/isolation procedures, including TB requirement /precautions. Work Schedule: TBD, could be night shift. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #: Registered Respiratory Therapist / 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. 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. 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. 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. Failure to Obtain Credential. 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 and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder. 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: GS-5 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. GS-7 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 GS-9 Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. 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. GS-11 Experience, Licensure and Credential. 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 G11, Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standards. 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: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Pushing; Straight pulling; Pulling hand over hand; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Kneeling (Intermittent); Repeated bending (up to 6 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and Mental Stability.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital 11201 Benton Street Loma Linda, CA 92357 US
• Name: Courtney Blansfield
• Phone: 602-751-1286
• Email: [email protected]