Career Center

The JDDVAMC is recruiting for a Registered Respiratory Therapist . The incumbent is responsible for assignments with minimal or no clinical supervision in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. 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 Policy. Education. Persons 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. 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. VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level. RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder. Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials. An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care. 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: To qualify for the GS-11 grade, you must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade in the federal government (GS-09). Examples of specialized experience may include: ability to 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, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation; and provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Considerable walking/standing may be required. Frequent lifting, positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when assisting with the transfer of patients or when moving equipment or supplies. Frequent, prolonged extensive or considerable sitting. Manual dexterity and mobility required. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, or crouching. Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs) may be occasionally required. Subject to interruptions from multiple calls, patient needs and/or inquiries from others, in-person, on the telephone or via computer. Ability to function under stress is required. Inappropriate actions/judgement, especially those during emergency or crisis situations, may result in injury or death. ["Provide respiratory care to critically ill and/or poor risk patients in the ICU and Step-Down units. 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. Administer oxygen, aerosol, humidity, and positive pressure breathing therapy. 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. Administer oxygen, aerosol, humidity, and positive pressure breathing therapy. Position patient and perform chest physiotherapy and drainage, noting the effectiveness of therapy. Implement adult artificial ventilation upon physician's orders. Maintain and monitor ventilator patients as required and make adjustments based on blood gas analysis with the physician's approval. Administer prescribed medications that pertain to the field, note contraindications and/or adverse reactions, and notify the physician and recommend corrective therapy as indicated. Assists the PCP (Primary Care Provider) in formulating an appropriate Respiratory Care plan based upon patient assessment, history, lung auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc. The Therapist will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to benefit patient care and assist the Provider in formulating an appropriate Home Respiratory Care Plan based upon patient assessment, history, oxygen assessment, data review and standard protocols. The Therapist will communicate changes in the Home Respiratory Care Plan, patient status and recommendations for improvement to health care team members based upon patient observation, discussion, patient history, diagnostic test values and patient care protocols when appropriate. Perform arterial blood gas analysis from arterial puncture or arterial line. Analyze blood with mechanical analyzer, interpret the results of the analysis, consult with the physician on the results, and make recommendations. Perform maintenance, calibrations, repair, and quality control of the blood gas analyzers. Provide emergency respiratory therapy treatments to critically ill patients. Monitor patient reactions to therapy with the use of pulse oximetry. Perform pulmonary function tests including spirometry, lung volumes, and exercise testing. Document in the progress notes and other areas all pertinent information regarding patient response and tolerance to all forms of therapy and test procedures preformed. Participates in research projects under the direction of the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy. Preferred Certifications:\nCPFT - Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist\nRPFT - Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist\nAsthma Educator\nPulmonary Disease Educator\nPulmonary Rehabilitation Work Schedule: 7:00am to 3:30pm; Rotating days and hours to be determined - Based on needs of service\nCompressed/Flexible: Yes\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: Registered Respiratory Therapist/PD91241A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]