The incumbent, under the supervision of the Chief Respiratory Therapy Service, displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in the Respiratory Care. The services are performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and policies and procedures of Raymond G. Murphy Medical Center.

Duties

Accepts and supports the mission, vision, and values of Raymond G. Murphy Medical Center. Instructs patients, their families, nurses, physicians and other staff in the proper administration and technique of various and appropriate respiratory care equipment, procedure/policy, or medication. Provide clear communication with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. Provide hemodynamic services to critically ill patients of the Medical and Surgical Intensive Care and, to a lesser degree, provide noninvasive hemodynamic services to inpatients. Perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Perform arterial blood gas puncture to obtain blood gas specimens for the evaluation and treatment of patients with compromised pulmonary systems. Assist in the assessment, evaluation, treatment, and medical management of critically ill patients in the Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases (ABG's), pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, and other basic diagnostic procedures. Participate collaboratively and consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Provides therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices, humidification, and aerosols. Perform basic and advance airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilations. Continuing education to patients, their families, physician, nurses, and other allied health care personnel to enhance understanding of respiratory care devices and therapies. Documents patient care and/or procedures performed in medical records, on worksheets, and/or in logs, as appropriate. Cleans, checks, and calibrates equipment used for respiratory care and diagnostic studies. Maintains workrooms, storage areas, and medical supply inventories. Knowledge of reprocessing Reusable Medical Equipment (RME), with training on setup, use, reprocessing, and maintenance of the specific equipment leading to initial competency and validation of that competency on an annual basis, as well as infection control issues related to processing RMB. Understands that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), must be followed detailing all steps and activities of this process that is dated and signed by an approving official. Cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of equipment to full readiness for its subsequent use, which can occur in part or in whole, either inside or outside of Supply Processing Services (SPS). Maintains setup for assembling the RME in preparation for a procedure in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Maintains competency to assure that an individual has received the appropriate training and has demonstrated an achieved skill level required to independently and appropriately perf01m an assigned task or responsibility. Continuously monitoring the processes and outcomes of a pre­ determined procedure to ensure safe patient care. Performs maintenance which includes the actions taken, in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, to preserve the optimal and safe usefulness of medical equipment and its associated accessories. Knowledge of infection controls issues related to RME to include storage, handling, setup, use, reprocessing, maintenance, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Consistently communicates and treats all internal and external customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customers with consistent information per established policies and procedures and handles conflicts and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Accepts and supports the mission, vision, and guiding principles of this medical center. Performs all assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. Work Schedule: Various Tours of Duty (may be discussed during interview) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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: 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. 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-0601series 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-0601series 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 38U.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-07level. 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; and3)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. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: 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 (1) 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/141 Part II Appendix G11 Registered Respiratory Therapist dated March 12, 2021. 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-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Lifting of items of 45 pounds and over can be expected; reaching above shoulder; walking and standing for extended periods of time for up to 8 hours.

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 Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Monaliza Seppala
• Phone: 505-265-1711 X2246
• Email: [email protected]