Hybrid Registered Respiratory Therapist bei Department of Veterans Affairs

Registered Respiratory Therapist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $46148 - $110435 Per Year

Job Summary: A Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for performing quality therapeutic and diagnostic respiratory care under the order of healthcare provider with recognized prescribing authority. The incumbent is required to be a credentialed Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care and licensed by a state or territory of the United States.

Major Duties:

• Equipment selection and setup to appropriately provide care ordered by physician or protocol. Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices, humidification and aerosols- Administration of medication to the cardiopulmonary system. Transport of patients to and from areas for special procedures on oxygen, BiPAP, or transpo1t ventilators. Verification of all orders before implementation. Discontinuation or exchange of all equipment and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with VI-IA Directives and facility and department policies. Maintenance of natural and artificial airways as necessary, including endotracheal suctioning, orophmyngeal or nasopharyngeal suctioning, sputum induction, tracheal lavage, and securing of nasal or oral endotracheal tubes or tracheostomies Ventilatory support, including initiation, maintenance, and management of life support systems, and the patient/ventilator interface. Administration of mixed gases (e.g., nitric oxide mix, others as implemented per policy) Bedside training of physicians-in-training and medical residents through patient contacts, discussions, consultations Monitoring patient status as appropriate via arterial blood gases, chest auscultation, review of x-ray studies, clinical observation Weaning and removal of ventilator support, with appropriate monitoring of patient and assessment of ability to maintain reliable spontaneous ventilation Bronchopulmonary drainage and breathing exercises. Assurance of proper performance of all respiratory equipment used in patient care. Oversight of oxygen therapy provided by non-respiratory staff. Assistance with bronchoscopy as needed, once oriented. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)- Participation in Rapid Response Team (RRT) Assistance with insertion and maintenance of artificial airways including but not limited toendotracheal tubes (ET) and intubating laryngotracheal mask (ILMA) airways. Arterial punctures and material line draws. Blood gas analysis and associated quality control procedures, performed in accordance with qualification and performance guidelines developed by the College of American Pathologists and The Joint Commission Calculate pertinent cardiopulmonary parameters (e.g., A-a gradient, shunt, etc.) Notification of physician regarding abnormal results and the need for associated action relative to the patient's ventilatory and oxygenation status Documentation of notification of critical values to appropriate care providers Patient/family education- Collaboration/consultation with attending physicians, residents, fellows, interns, Pas, Nurse Practitioners, other hospital staff. Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. Home oxygen evaluations. Appropriate, accurate and complete documentation for all services. Complete and detailed report of shift occurrences and patients' status for oncoming staff Work Schedule: Week 1: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, & Saturday; Week 2: Sunday, Wednesday, & Thursday. Six 12 hour shifts (8:00pm-8:30am) and one 8 hour shift (11:00pm-7:30am) per two-week pay period. Subject to change as needed by service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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: The following are the basic requirements for appointment as an Registered Respiratory Therapist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). 1. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor. 2. 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 3. 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. (1) 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. 4. Physical Standards. Work is primarily performed in environmentally controlled inpatient and outpatient care areas. Walking and standing for extended periods required. Must be able to physically access all areas of service. Pushing and pulling equipment up to seventy pounds, moving and lifting supplies, lifting, bending, stooping, and exposure to body fluid is involved. 5. English Language Proficiency. All applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). GRADE REQUIREMENTS. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment: GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Respiratory Therapist, GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Education and Licensure. Is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. (c) Assignment. Perform basic therapeutic modalities in all area of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RRT at the full performance level or higher. Responsible for such assignments as medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds. 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: i. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. 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. iii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iv. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. v. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. (c) Assignment. Responsible for assignment with minimal supervision from an RRT at the full performance level in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. Complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members. Use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care. Place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning. Obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples. Perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. Provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09. a. Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. b. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Ability to consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. (c) Assignments. Responsible under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. Obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriate mechanical means. Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care. Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11. (a) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. (c) Assignments. Provide respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. Assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. Use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care. Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care. Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. Determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. Use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services. Suggest alternate modes of treatment based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. Perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. 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.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/04/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12767949. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2025-08-04