Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

This position is located in the Respiratory Therapy Unit, Pulmonary Section, Medical Service, VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) in Dallas, Texas. The incumbent provides respiratory care services to all Veteran patients, including both inpatients and outpatients, across ICU/SCI, acute care, and specialty areas.

Duties

The Registered Respiratory Therapist performs all respiratory therapy modalities and advanced airway management according to established policies, procedures, and physician orders. Duties include but are not limited to: Respiratory Support and Ventilation Sets up, monitors, and troubleshoots volume ventilators in ICU/SCI and general care areas. Provides airway care for ICU/SCI and general care patients. Measures respiratory compliance, tidal volume, inspiratory force, and tracheal cuff pressures. Provides oxygen and life support during CPR. Performs elective and emergency airway intubation support. Responds to STAT calls for equipment failure or malfunction. Therapeutic Interventions Administers E-Z Pap therapy, Metaneb, Aerobeka, and aerosolized medications. Performs tracheal lavage, sputum inductions, chest percussion, and postural drainage. Administers helium/oxygen mixtures for airway obstruction. Instructs patients on breathing techniques during respiratory distress. Administers incentive spirometry per physician orders. Equipment Management Prepares and installs CPAP, BIPAP, flow meters, heaters, and tank regulators. Verifies proper equipment operation in compliance with physician orders. Removes airway secretions using sterile suction catheters. Recognizes equipment malfunctions and reports issues to supervisory staff. Ensures all non-disposable items are sent to SPD for sterilization. Documentation and Communication Performs charting in CPRS, Vista, and Essentris. Provides complete hand-off reports to oncoming shifts. Evaluates patient cardiopulmonary status to determine therapy effectiveness. Patient Transport Transports ventilator-dependent patients to radiology or specialty areas while continuously monitoring ventilator function. Work Schedule: 7:30pm - 8:00am, alternating weekends (12 hour compressed tours) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:55386F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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). 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-05: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under the above paragraph 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. 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. GS-09: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Experience with interpreting arterial blood gas results and coordinating patient care. Ability to perform airway management, including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities in respiratory care. 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-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Education

Accreditation Information: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. https://coarc.com/ Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify yo