Registered Respiratory Therapist
A respiratory therapist may implement direct respiratory care to an individual being treated by either a licensed medical doctor or a licensed doctor of osteopathic medicine, upon prescription or referral by a physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant, or under medical direction and approval consistent with standing orders or protocols of an institution or health care facility. This care may constitute indirect services such as consultation or evaluation of an individual and also includes, but is not limited to, the following services. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills to complete the duties of the position. Some of the duties may include but are not limited to:
Administration of medical gases; Humidity and aerosol therapy. Administration of aerosolized medications. Incentive spirometry. Bronchopulmonary hygiene. Management and maintenance of natural airways. Maintenance and insertion of artificial airways. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Management and maintenance of mechanical ventilation Measurement of ventilatory flows, volumes and pressures. Analysis of ventilatory gases and blood gases. Application, monitoring and reporting of Sleep Apnea Screenings. Reporting of Overnight Pulse oximetry testing. Home Nebulizer instruction. Home Oxygen evaluation/re-evaluation. Pulmonary function testing and reporting. Performs emergency and acute respiratory care procedures in accordance with the departmental policy and procedure manual. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing with gas exchange, CPAP/Bi-level/VPAP set-ups, which include compliance checks, mask fitting and dispensing, basic maintenance and patient education. Assisting the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in assuring Quality Improvement in Cardiopulmonary Services. Knowledge of patient assessment and education methods. Knowledge or operation, basic maintenance, and troubleshooting of equipment. Knowledge of and adherence to facility infection control policies. Current basic life support (BLS) certification. The incumbent is required to make decisions on the necessary care required based on the patient information. This requires continuous review of the baseline data to assure that all therapeutic objectives are met for each patient. Once this process is completed, a report is presented to the physician. In the performance of duties, the registered therapist will have a great deal of independence. He/she will be responsible to act as a charge/lead therapist in the absence of the Respiratory Therapy Supervisor and will have full responsibility to modify the workload to accomplish the assigned duties. Reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data. Assist the physician in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessments such as lung auscultation, blood pressure measurements, hemodynamics, cardiac output, etc. The registered therapist may also be involved with patient care planning and/or patient care conferences. Assist the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in assuring timely coordination with Sterile Processing Service, delivery and stocking of all parts and supplies required by outpatient respiratory care services Assist the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in updating manuals and procedures and recommending policies, which will keep out-patient Respiratory Therapy up-to-date. Reports progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy. Assist the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in planning and implementing effective educational programs for in-services, orientation, continuing education, and other personnel training in cardiopulmonary care. Participates in the training of respiratory therapy staff, medical students, medical center staff, patients and their families. Recommends changes in the respiratory care service to improve services and patient care and communicates changes in the respiratory care plan to other healthcare team members, as necessary. Resolves technical work problems with the aid of references such as manuals, troubleshooting guides and other reference sources. Provides effective education to patients, family, students, and coworkers, as appropriate. Work Schedule:
Rotating 8 hour shifts, between the hours of 6:
00 a.m. and 10:
30 p.m. with flexibility to work holidays, weekends, and off tours. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 15 days of the closing date of this announcement, 08/05/2020. Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Registered Respiratory Therapist. Must have a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either:
Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, OR Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June1974. English Language Proficiency. RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Ability to perform the physical requirements listed below. Grade Determinations:
GS-08:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, candidates must have all of the following:
At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience at this level is work which includes duties such as:
administering assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters; administering and monitoring advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive airway pressure; developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators; assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment; performing the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care; and providing in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. AND Demonstrated knowledge and ability needed to perform complex respiratory procedures with minimal supervision. Is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment, with great reliance on the individual's knowledge of the equipment. AND Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; service as a shift leader or supervisor or sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift; and to plan and conduct training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11 Physical Requirements:
Must be able to lift 30 pounds, assist patients with transfers or ambulation. The position requires several miles of walking per day within the health center and at times may require climbing several flights of stairs. There may also be sedentary work where the therapist will be sitting for several continuous hours.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Administration of medical gases; Humidity and aerosol therapy. Administration of aerosolized medications. Incentive spirometry. Bronchopulmonary hygiene. Management and maintenance of natural airways. Maintenance and insertion of artificial airways. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Management and maintenance of mechanical ventilation Measurement of ventilatory flows, volumes and pressures. Analysis of ventilatory gases and blood gases. Application, monitoring and reporting of Sleep Apnea Screenings. Reporting of Overnight Pulse oximetry testing. Home Nebulizer instruction. Home Oxygen evaluation/re-evaluation. Pulmonary function testing and reporting. Performs emergency and acute respiratory care procedures in accordance with the departmental policy and procedure manual. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing with gas exchange, CPAP/Bi-level/VPAP set-ups, which include compliance checks, mask fitting and dispensing, basic maintenance and patient education. Assisting the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in assuring Quality Improvement in Cardiopulmonary Services. Knowledge of patient assessment and education methods. Knowledge or operation, basic maintenance, and troubleshooting of equipment. Knowledge of and adherence to facility infection control policies. Current basic life support (BLS) certification. The incumbent is required to make decisions on the necessary care required based on the patient information. This requires continuous review of the baseline data to assure that all therapeutic objectives are met for each patient. Once this process is completed, a report is presented to the physician. In the performance of duties, the registered therapist will have a great deal of independence. He/she will be responsible to act as a charge/lead therapist in the absence of the Respiratory Therapy Supervisor and will have full responsibility to modify the workload to accomplish the assigned duties. Reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data. Assist the physician in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessments such as lung auscultation, blood pressure measurements, hemodynamics, cardiac output, etc. The registered therapist may also be involved with patient care planning and/or patient care conferences. Assist the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in assuring timely coordination with Sterile Processing Service, delivery and stocking of all parts and supplies required by outpatient respiratory care services Assist the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in updating manuals and procedures and recommending policies, which will keep out-patient Respiratory Therapy up-to-date. Reports progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy. Assist the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in planning and implementing effective educational programs for in-services, orientation, continuing education, and other personnel training in cardiopulmonary care. Participates in the training of respiratory therapy staff, medical students, medical center staff, patients and their families. Recommends changes in the respiratory care service to improve services and patient care and communicates changes in the respiratory care plan to other healthcare team members, as necessary. Resolves technical work problems with the aid of references such as manuals, troubleshooting guides and other reference sources. Provides effective education to patients, family, students, and coworkers, as appropriate. Work Schedule:
Rotating 8 hour shifts, between the hours of 6:
00 a.m. and 10:
30 p.m. with flexibility to work holidays, weekends, and off tours. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 15 days of the closing date of this announcement, 08/05/2020. Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Registered Respiratory Therapist. Must have a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either:
Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, OR Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June1974. English Language Proficiency. RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Ability to perform the physical requirements listed below. Grade Determinations:
GS-08:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, candidates must have all of the following:
At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience at this level is work which includes duties such as:
administering assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters; administering and monitoring advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive airway pressure; developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators; assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment; performing the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care; and providing in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. AND Demonstrated knowledge and ability needed to perform complex respiratory procedures with minimal supervision. Is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment, with great reliance on the individual's knowledge of the equipment. AND Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; service as a shift leader or supervisor or sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift; and to plan and conduct training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11 Physical Requirements:
Must be able to lift 30 pounds, assist patients with transfers or ambulation. The position requires several miles of walking per day within the health center and at times may require climbing several flights of stairs. There may also be sedentary work where the therapist will be sitting for several continuous hours.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$47,899 to $62,269 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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