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Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is responsible for providing basic and advanced Respiratory services to adult and geriatric patients at the Amarillo VA Medical Center - however the therapist must be knowledgeable regarding the basic treatment of all age groups. The Therapist plans - implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures.

Qualifications

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
• 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.(e) 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
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• 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)
• 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: i
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• OR ii
• 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: i
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• AND ii
• 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
• Preferred Experience: 3 years critical care experience Time management effectiveness Detail oriented Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository - VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0601 - Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standard - dated 3/12/2021
• 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: The work is sedentary
• Some work may require movement between offices - hospitals - warehouses - and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
• Work may also require walking/standing - in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Services are rendered in collaboration with the ordering provider - either by specific orders - policy or established protocol
• These functions and responsibilities are supported by education and administrative oversight
• Periodically specific functions may change
• The primary services include - but are not limited to: Collect - review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records - care team - patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated
• Incumbent will be capable of performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients
• Example
• monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation - assisting with bronchoscopy - using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data - describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid base balance
• Apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment - history - lung auscultation - chest x-ray - pulse oximetry - etc
• Communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate
• Additionally - the incumbent will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values
• f
• Incumbent will provide effective and relevant education to the patient - family - students - and facility staff when appropriate
• Perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures
• h
• Incumbent will perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards
• Actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement
• Maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice
• Assembles - checks - and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment
• Participate in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy - maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay - higher or unique qualifications - or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: Registered Respiratory Therapist Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required