Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist is a respiratory care practitioner who has passed the registry exam administered by the National Board For Respiratory Care (NBRC) and who is employed under medical direction in the treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities, of the cardio/pulmonary system.

Duties

Respiratory Therapists function as members of the medical team in treating and assessing the needs of individuals who may be seriously ill and provide around the clock care to individuals who otherwise would not be able to survive life-threatening conditions. The RRT performs: Reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data. Formulates an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment. Communicates orally and in writing, changes, adjustments and recommendations with other healthcare team members. Provides effective education and training to patients, students and co-workers as appropriate. Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult andgeriatric patients. Performs emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 1:30 pm-12 am weekdays and weekends and holidays.May rotate to overnight 10 pm-8:30 am weekdays and weekends and holidays.May be mandated to cover call off next shift/tour Compressed/Flexible: Yes, Compressed Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21N34A 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07.(a) Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. (b) 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 andmechanical 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- linesuctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve maskventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilatorassessment. RRTs provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure(PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09. Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade leveldemonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. A Masterof Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirementsabove, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcareprofessionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways andmechanical ventilation. Assignments. This is a developmental position. RRTs at this grade level 9 areresponsible for the following under general guidance in both inpatient and/oroutpatient settings. RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimensand data. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals toensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintainthe airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriatemechanical means. RRTs assess and evaluate patients to determine andrecommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as,implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and usesadvanced modes of ventilation. They provide outpatient services such as homeventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11. Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditableexperience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competenciesdescribed 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 qual