Serves as a registered respiratory therapist within the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center, primarily in the intensive care unit and STAT laboratory with responsibility for independently administering complex respiratory therapy procedures and treatment to critically ill patients and operation of the STAT Laboratory. Will also cover other areas of the hospital as needed, such as in a cardiac/pulmonary arrest, acute respiratory failure or as patient evaluators. **Night Shift, 7pm to 8am**
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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: 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. RRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005. Education (Submit documentation): Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure (Submit Documentation). 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 (Submit Documentation). 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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11. Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have- Documentation Submitted: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Skill in implementing patient care and operations change by recognizing opportunities for improvement and analyzing data. ii. Skill in the development and implementation of appropriate standards of care for respiratory care. iii. Ability establish a completely integrated program that emulates "best practice" and follows national policies. iv. Ability to supervise employees. v. Ability to forecast resource needs to manage fiscal matters. 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 policies, procedures or protocols. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grades at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 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 (50 Lbs. or greater) such as mechanical ventilators. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures in confined areas of the intensive care unit.
**Night Shift, 7pm to 8am** Primary Duties and Responsibilities include: Sets up and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume and/or pressure cycled ventilators for critical care patients. Based on patient assessment and analysis of blood gas data independently adjusts ventilator settings to change the patient's ventilator status. Applies conventional ventilator techniques (invasive or non- invasive) such as positive end 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. Develops plan for weaning patients from ventilators. Monitors patients closely to avoid incidents and may alter the plan as necessary. Initially and continually assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of the assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination and respiratory monitoring and diagnostic equipment. The therapist will be able to determine the effectiveness and/or need for change in the therapy being administered. Manages airway and tube care on intensive care patients including cleaning and securing the tracheotomy and endotracheal tube and site, changing inner cannula for tracheotomy tubes as needed, monitoring tube cuff pressure and inspecting equipment and patient to ensure proper functioning of the ventilator. During emergency situations, the therapist will collaborate and independently assist physician with airways management to provide mechanical ventilation to controlled breathing. In cases of cardiac arrest, initiates artificial ventilation using either mouth-to mask techniques or 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. Registered respiratory therapists are required to maintain current BLS and ACLS certifications. Draws arterial samples through puncture or arterial blood samples from patient through arterial line. Can use various equipment such as blood gas analyzers, co-oximeters, and pulse oximeters to analyze blood samples and results of blood gas studies. All Registered Respiratory Therapists that work in the STAT Laboratory will maintain a current Florida State License and NBRC Credentials up to date as required by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and (TJC). Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments and/or medications used, and the set up and operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautions. Calibrates complex respiratory equipment such as mechanical ventilators, blood gas analyzers co-oximeters. Identifies and corrects mechanical malfunction of equipment used in the respiratory therapy service. Records treatments, findings, and patients' progress pertinent to their care. Work Schedule: 7:30pm-8am, depending on service needs Functional Statement #: 30590F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Not authorized