Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary This Registered Respiratory Therapist position is in Medical service at the VA Maine Medical Center - located at the Augusta - Maine location. 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 PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyRRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.7403(f) EducationIndividuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successorLicensurePersons 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 RRTCredentialPersons 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 RRTGrade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist - 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 and hold an active license and RRT credentialDemonstrated 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 outcomesSkill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalitiesSkill in performing advanced airway and ventilation managementAssignments: This assignment is the full performance levelRRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settingsThe specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levelsThey use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being metThey consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialtyThey manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical meansRRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols - respiratory modalities - bronchoscopy - medications or supplemental oxygen and intubationThey monitor critical systemsThey use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services - such as home ventilators and COPD case managementRRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatmentRRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placementThey serve as a preceptor to lower graded staffThey may lead projects developing new policies - procedures or protocolsPreferred Experience: 1-3+ years Experience in acute care settings ICU - ED - or medical surgical units Ventilator management experience (invasive and non-invasive) ABG (arterial blood gas) sampling and analysis Bronchoscopy assistance experience BLS - ACLS and PALS certification NBRC credentialing as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)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 11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 11Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements Duties Duties include - but are not limited to: Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatmentsSets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators - end tidal CO2 monitors - oxygen delivery devices - re-breathers and oximetry monitorsPerforms bedside diagnostic tests to assess the respiratory status of patientsUnder general guidance performs Advanced Airway placement of LMA placement or may assist physicians and full performance RRT's in placing more advanced artificial airways into patients as requiredUnder guidance - during cardiac arrests - initiates artificial ventilation using mouth-to-mask techniques or a manual ventilation bag to restore patient's heartbeat and maintain ventilationDuring transport of patients - maintains clearance of airway - monitors vital signs - and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessaryPerforms routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols - and incentive spirometry - chest physical therapyProvides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments given - various types of medications used - and the set up and operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautionsCalibrates complex respiratory equipment under guidance such as PFT analyzers to assure accurate performanceRecords treatment - findings and progress pertinent to patient careEnsures that reports and procedures are processed and returned to the requesting physician on a timely basisEnsures that all machines and equipment are in good condition and are in compliance with all safety codesThe therapists will report any problems immediatelyDistribute tanks to various clinical areas as neededCollect empty tanks and return to the designated storage roomDaily updates the tank level logs to reflect the number of empty and full tanks in stockIn addition to the technical duties - the incumbent is responsible for the following functions: Orders and maintains a proper level of suppliesEnsures that reports and procedures are processed and returned to the requesting physician on a timely basisEnsures that all machines and equipment are in good condition and are in compliance with all safety codesReport any problems immediatelyEvening shift therapists will also perform the following: Monitor and maintain adequate levels of oxygen tanks in at least the Special Care Unit - the Post Anesthesia Care Unit - the medical/surgical wards - Emergency Department and the Nursing Home Care UnitDistribute tanks to various clinical areas as neededCollect empty tanks and return to the designated storage roomUpdates the tank level logs to reflect the number of empty and full tanks in stockPerforms all other duties as assignedPromotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are metSelection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance levelWork Schedule: Shift Varies Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual positionPosition Description/PD#: Registered Respiratory Therapist/PDF02865 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Notifications: This position is in the Excepted ServiceThis position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit positionThe incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC'sNarrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointmentCurrent and former federal employees may submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - Notice of Personnel ActionThe SF-50 should include details such as the position title - series - grade - step - tenure - and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)In certain instances - multiple SF-50 forms may be necessary to demonstrate a higher grade previously held.