Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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 38U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (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
• 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 from the National Board of Respiratory Care
• 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-11: Experience - Licensure and Credential: Candidates Must possess: 1) One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• AND - 2) 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: 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to Moderately Lift and Carry 15-44 lbs.
• reach above shoulders
• to use fingers - both eyes - have depth perception
• distinguish different shades of color
• ability to hear (hearing aids permitted)
• Ability to access all patient care areas as required.

Duties

• A Registered Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties - both major and minor - that are not mentioned below
• Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy - and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: 1
• Reviews - collects and evaluates relevant clinical data
• 2
• Formulates an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment
• 3
• Communicates orally and in writing - changes - adjustments and recommendations with other healthcare team members
• 4
• Provides effective education and training to patients - students and co-workers as appropriate
• 5
• Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients
• Examples include but not limited to: Arterial puncture - blood gas analysis - pulmonary function testing - bronchoscopy assistance - pulmonary rehabilitation - endotracheal intubation - oxygen administration etc
• 6
• Performs emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines
• 7
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities
• 8
• Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice
• 9
• Assembles - checks - and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment
• 10
• May serve as therapist-in-charge when assigned and/or in the absence of the Chief of Respiratory Care
• 11
• Promotes a customer-centered environment - taking personal responsibility for problem solving and effective courteous communication with patients - their families - medical staff - students and co-workers
• 12
• Provides patient care - which is appropriate to the cultural - cognitive - emotional - and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient
• 13
• Incumbent will demonstrate the ability to utilize computer-based technologies - software and programs Work Schedule: Nights: 6 tours of 6:00pm-6:30am and 1 tour of 10:00pm-6:30am in a 2 week period - plus rotating on-call Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Registered Respiratory Therapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN15EDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized