This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more
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. 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. Assignment This is the entry level developmental position. RTs at this grade level perform basic therapeutic modalities in all areas of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RRT at the full performance level or higher. RTs are responsible for such assignments as medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds. Grade Determinations (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 8 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. Assignment This is a developmental position. RRTs at this grade level will be responsible for the following assignments with minimal clinical supervision from an RRT at the full performance level in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members. They use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care. They place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning. RRTs obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples. They perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. RRTs provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. Grade Determinations (GS 9): Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential Candidates must have: 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. Assignments This is a developmental position. RRTs at this grade level are responsible for the following under general guidance 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. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriate mechanical means. RRTs assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. Grade Determinations (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. Assignments This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new 10 policies, procedures or protocols. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 5 - 11.
This Registered Respiratory Therapist position is in the Specialty Care services at the VISN 15 St. Louis VA Healthcare System The Registered Respiratory Therapist will be assigned to the inpatient area as well as various outpatient assignments. The RRT is an essential member of the patient care team. He/she will collaborate with all members of the health care team to deliver quality care. FUNCTIONS: Administers a variety of complex respiratory therapy treatments. Evaluate and treat patients in a variety of settings. Complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members. Measure vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate). Measure and document oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during sleep, ambulation, and exercise). Evaluate patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles and inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies. Knowledge of the pharmacology of common respiratory drugs, common dosages, typical and atypical patient responses and side effects is required. Oxygen Therapy Obtain medical, surgical, family, social, behavioral, and occupational history, and other historical information incident to the purpose of the current complaint. Assist in the outpatient cardiopulmonary clinics where they may have responsibility for performing PFT's and 6-minute walks, etc. Work with home oxygen coordinator or vendor to set up new oxygen patients when home oxygen is indicated, taking messages, reporting to the coordinator, entering orders for supplies, etc. Supply management (inventorying stock and O2 tanks, communicating needs to supervisor, etc.) for overall management of the department. Bronchoscopy, to include EBUS prep and assist. Set up, cleaning, calibration, and troubleshooting of all respiratory equipment in the outpatient setting (CPAP/BiPAP). Work Schedule: Full-Time Variable schedule including weekdays, nights, and weekends. Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Authorize Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion. It includes walking, reaching, bending, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment, in filing, and in positioning patients. Lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling light to moderately heavy objects including the occasional pushing of patients in wheelchairs is also required (up to 40 pounds).