Incumbent will work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The RRT uses data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They work independently 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.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Work is performed independently by full performance level RRTs under physician medical direction often without direct supervision; Therapists perform work under the guidance of written provider orders. Orders are expected to be verified prior to administering the care, treatment or service. The therapist will have knowledge of a variety of related acute and chronic disorders and diseases, their effect on the lungs and heart, and the method of treatment. The therapist will be clinically competent, self-motivated and able to work in an independent manner understanding their role not only as a member of the greater health care team, but also as an advanced therapist expected to perform at the full performance level. The therapist understands their responsibilities to guide lesser experienced and lesser credentialed therapists to help them advance in their skills. The therapist will pro-actively stay abreast of current concepts in Respiratory Care. The therapist will have knowledge of changes over the life span of the patient and have the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status to identify each patient's requirements relative to age-specific needs. The therapist will have the ability to plan and conduct training sessions with, students, hospital staff to include physicians, other respiratory therapists, patients and caregivers/family members. The therapist will be trained and skilled in utilizing proper techniques for obtaining, transporting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting arterial blood gas samples in a timely manner. The therapist is responsible for adhering to pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic guidelines to protect the integrity of the sample and ensure quality results. The therapist will be trained and familiar with both blood gas/co-oximetry instrumentation and analysis, and able to perform required special testing for lab accreditation purposes. The therapist's primary responsibility is to help maintain a patent airway at all times for the patient. The therapist will be trained and skilled in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care including but not limited to the initiation, patient education, performance, and documentation of various modes of therapy, including but not limited to side-arm nebulization, oxygen administration, humidification and aerosolization, chest percussion and postural drainage, coughing/deep breathing exercises, positive airway pressure therapy, airway secretion clearance devices, naso/endotracheal suctioning. The therapist will have knowledge of the pharmacology of medications used in the delivery of respiratory care, common dosages, typical and atypical patient responses and side effects. The therapist will be able to initially assess the patient using chart review, bedside assessment skills to include but not limited to auscultation, vital signs, review of chest x-ray, and pulse oximetry. The therapist will also be able to skillfully reevaluate the efficacies of therapeutic modalities by reassessing the patient utilizing arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, peak flow maneuvers, end tidal CO2, basic spirometry, other diagnostic procedures and bedside patient assessment skills. Under physician direction, the therapist will be responsible for initiating and maintaining both invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation to include the use of advanced modes of ventilation. The therapist will be responsible for performing and documenting routine patient status / ventilator system checks at designated intervals according to policy. Ventilator checks are to include but are not limited to status of usage and current parameter settings as compared to current provider order, patient assessment, alarm settings, ordered ventilator changes, weaning parameters, spontaneous breathing trials, extubations, and any relevant information reflecting the care and/or treatment of the patient. Electronic data collection system (Clinicomp) will be utilized to capture ventilator settings and values in real time to ensure data is inside the electronic health record. The therapist will be trained and familiar with all aspects of both invasive and non-invasive ventilators used in this facility, as well as trouble-shooting techniques. The therapist will be able to assess ventilated patients via arterial blood gas analysis, monitor information, ventilator feedback, and bedside patient assessment skills to evaluate and effectively communicate respiratory status including complex respiratory cases to determine if current care plans seem appropriate and outcomes are being met. Work Schedule: Shift varies, multiple shifts available, will be discussed during the recruitment/interview process. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60306-F

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. To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following: a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3,section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. b. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. c. 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. d. 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. e. English Language Proficiency. 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). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard 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: (1) Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation. (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (3) 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. (4) 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. (5) 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. (6) If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA. Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11. (a) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years Respiratory Therapy experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen cylinder or wheeled computer equipment. VHA practice and training incorporate a limit of 35 pounds for routine patient care repositioning and lifting tasks. 3. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate procedures. Work Environment 1. The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which require special safety and health precautions, e.g., working regularly with patients and in situations where there is a risk of exposure to contagious diseases, odors, and/or flammable gases. 2. The therapist is required to wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask to prevent disease and the spread of infection.

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 James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: Matthew Glynn
• Phone: 727-470-1814
• Email: [email protected]