This position is located within the Specialty Care Service of the Orlando VA Healthcare System. The incumbent serves as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), performing patient care in all inpatient and outpatient areas of the facility as assigned, including critical care units, floor care, long term care, home O2, pulmonary function, and other diagnostic and treatment clinics.
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 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Respiratory Therapist, (RT) 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, (RRT) 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, (RRT) GS-09 Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have one of the following: 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. 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: 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 in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The therapist must frequently bend, reach, stoop, and stretch to set up and take apart respiratory equipment, position patients, push/pull moderately heavy objects such as mechanical ventilators. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is responsible for performing patient care in all inpatient and outpatient areas of the facility as assigned, including Critical Care (ICU/PACU/ER/Special units), Floor care (Medical/Surgical), long term care (CLC), home O2, Pulmonary Function, and other diagnostic and treatment clinics (Tracheostomy, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation). Will also cover areas of the hospital as needed, such as in a cardiac/pulmonary arrest, acute respiratory failure, or as patient evaluators. Other duties and responsibilities include but not limited to; Sets up and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume and/or pressure cycled ventilators for critical care patients. Adjusts ventilator settings to change the patient's ventilator status based on patient assessment and analysis of blood gas (including arterial blood gas puncture). Applies conventional ventilator techniques (invasive and non-invasive) such as positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP), intermittent mandatory ventilator (IMV), continuous positive pressure (CPAP) and pressure support ventilation (PSV) as well as advanced modalities such as airway pressure relieve ventilation (APRV) and Bi-Level ventilation and any other type of ventilatory modality for which the therapist has been trained. Initially and continually assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of the assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination and respiratory monitoring and diagnostic equipment. Develops plan to weaning patients from ventilators. Monitors patient closely to avoid incidents and may alter the plan as necessary. During emergency situations, the therapist will collaborate and independently assist physician with airway management to provide mechanical ventilation. In cases of cardiac arrest, initiates artificial ventilation using manual bag-mask ventilation to restore patient's respirations and compressions to restore heartbeat. During transport of ventilated patients within the hospital, maintains adequate ventilation and monitors vital signs. Coordinate with HAS staff to ensure open clinic testing and evaluation slots are filled, helping to prioritize, triage and address estimated workload for varying procedure types (Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing, Methacholine Challenge, Pulmonary Function Testing, Home Oxygen Evaluations). Maintains competency in all procedure and treatment areas and acts as is a mentor in all areas of the respiratory clinics for newer staff. Troubleshoots and works to resolve patient issues in clinics, whether group or individual clinics. Determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. Suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. Work Schedule: Night Shift - Six (6) 12hrs shifts and one (1) 8hrs shift per pay-period Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 82406F Registered Respiratory Therapist