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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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Basic Requirements: GS-07: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential, and Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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. March 12, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 II-G11-8 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. 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- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. RRTs provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. GS-09: 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. his is a developmental position. RRTs at this grade level are responsible for the following under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriate mechanical means. RRTs assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. GS-11: 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. 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 quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. 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):The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA. 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-07 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work will fluctuate from sedentary to moderate physical requirements. Physical demands will include but are not limited to: bending at the waste, reaching above the head, lifting from the knees <10lbs, pushing and pulling < 25lbs. ["GS-07: This position is a developmental position. The full performance level for this position, is the GS-11 grade level.\nRRTs 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: Completes patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members. Uses accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care. Performs duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing endotracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. Provides outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. Fully demonstrates competencies in initiating, monitoring, and documenting all modes of mechanical ventilation including NIPPV. Provides airway care for all patients throughout the medical center including assisting with emergency intubation, nasal and endotracheal tube suctioning, and securing endotracheal tubes. Immediately responds to meet the need of patients requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Maintains basic life support credentials. Routinely measures plateau pressure, cuff pressures, response to therapies, pulmonary mechanics, auto-PEEP, weaning parameters, RSBI, peak expiratory flow rate, and pulse oximetry, on mechanically ventilated patients. Actively collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other staff, to develop plans of care Is knowledgeable of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment as appropriate. GS-09: 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.\nEssential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served: 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 and geriatric patients, such as arterial puncture, pulmonary function testing, endotracheal intubation, oxygen administration etc. 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. Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice. Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment. Promotes a customer-centered environment, taking personal responsibility for problem solving and effective courteous communication with patients, their families, medical staff, students and co-workers. Provides patient care, which is appropriate to the cultural, cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. GS-11: 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 quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. Work Schedule: Full time 22:00 - 08:30 (Night shift)\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position"]