The incumbent serves as the Registered Respiratory Therapist for Veteran Health Indiana at Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center within Patient Care Services. Richard L. Roudebush VA is a general medical and surgical facility, classified as a Level 1A complexity with numerous outpatient clinics dispersed over a large geographic region and affiliations with several colleges and universities.
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. Education: Must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor. Licensure: Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Credential: Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). 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 the basic requirements for employment, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - GS 11 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 (developmental) 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 GS 11. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in all patient care areas (in-patient or outpatient). All respiratory therapists will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. The respiratory therapist is expected to be able to move, lift, bend, and stoop while performing duties with equipment, supplies, and patients. Respiratory therapists must demonstrate the ability to handle stressful, challenging situations in a positive manner. Functional Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over Moderate carrying,15-44 pounds Pushing/Pulling hand over hand Use of fingers/ Both hands required Walking 3 hours/ Standing 3 hours Repeated bending various hours Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Specific visual requirement (glasses permitted) Ability to distinguish basic colors Hearing (aid permitted)
Duties may include but not limited to: Provides CPR and oxygen needed to patients during cardiac and/or respiratory emergencies. Participates with medical and nursing staff in treatment planning for patients with respiratory needs. This includes making recommendations to physicians regarding alterations in treatment plans. Responsible for assessing the respiratory status of patients by observing pulse rate, observing respiratory rate, auscultation of breath sounds, monitoring SpO2, and interpretation of blood gas results. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. Must know the JCAHO Home Care standards relating to home oxygen and home respiratory equipment Must follow the Home Oxygen Program VHA Directive 1173.13. This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directive provides policy and assigns responsibilities for administering the Home Oxygen Program to eligible Veterans May lead projects developing new policies, procedures, or protocols Cleans, assembles, calibrates, and monitors complex respiratory/diagnostic equipment. Must be proficient and demonstrate competency and the ability to either set up or reprocess reusable medical equipment as applicable for all equipment for which you have been trained Knowledge of respiratory therapy and all necessary equipment including but not limited to concentrators, mechanical ventilators, CPAP and BIPAP equipment, pulse oximeters, suction equipment, oxygen delivery systems, conserving devices, and be able to perform portable spirometry testing Documents patient care and/or procedures performed accurately in the computerized medical record system, on worksheets, and/or in logs as required Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92873A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized