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Positions are located in the Respiratory Care Section of Specialty Care Service under the supervision the Chief, Respiratory Care Services and/or designee. RRT provides comprehensive care for patients who have respiratory illnesses and is responsible for providing basic and advanced respiratory care services. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be offered for highly qualified applicants. Approved Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. 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. Individuals 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. (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. (a) 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. (b) 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. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (e) 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. (2) 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. Preferred Experience: One year of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: (1) Respiratory Therapist, GS-05. (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. (c) Assignment. This is the entry level developmental position. RTs at this grade level perform basic therapeutic modalities in all areas of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RRT at the full performance level or higher. RTs are 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. (2) 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. (3) 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 collaboratively 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. (4) Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level). (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. AND 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 collaboratively 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 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-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in patient care areas, inpatient and outpatient. Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (4 hours), pushing (4 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4-8 hours), standing (4-8 hours), kneeling (4 hours), repeated bending (4 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, 20/40 vision in each eye with or without correction, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted). ["This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be offered for highly qualified applicants. The incumbent is responsible for high quality performance of outpatient and inpatient respiratory care to include ventilator management, intubations and arterial blood draws. Incumbent will be responsible for following all protocols and procedures as established for the treatment, management, evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. The services include, but are not limited to, the following activities performed with little or no direct supervision:\n* Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices, humidification and\naerosols\n* Administration of medication to the cardiopulmonary system\n* Ventilatory support, including maintenance and management of life support systems, and the patient/ventilator interface\n* Bronchopulmonary drainage and breathing exercises\n* Pulmonary rehabilitation\n* CPAP/AutoPAP/BiPap Therapy\n* Home Oxygen Evaluation\n* Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)\n* Code Blue Response Team/Rapid Response Team (STAT Team)\n* Insertion and maintenance of airways/Out of Operating Room Airway Maintenance\n* Arterial puncture\n* Blood gas analysis (PFT Lab when assigned)\n* Pulmonary Function and exercise testing (when assigned)\n* Patient/family education\n* Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. The RRT practices professionally, must be reliable, able to work independently and be self-motivated. The RRT is\nresponsible for performing job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of the Harry S. Truman Memorial\nVeterans Hospital Work Schedule: Mon/Tues: 1800-0630, Fri: 2200-0630, Sat: 1800-0630; Sun/Wed/Thurs: 1800-0630 with Rotating Call OR\nSun/Wed/Thursday: 1800-0630, Mon: 1800-0630, Tues: 2200-0630, Fri/Sat: 1800-0630 with Rotating Call Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]