The NWI VA HCS Respiratory Services department provides inpatient services to all patient care areas to include ICU, Emergency Department, and medical surgical patient care areas, as well as limited inpatient services. The Registered Respiratory Therapist contributes to Patient Centered Care strategies, and they plan, organize and coordinate clinical outpatient services and assist the Supervisor with process improvement and quality improvement ideas. 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. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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. 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. Grade Requirements: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. 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. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07: Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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. 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. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09: Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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. 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. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated 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 outcomes. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document. Preferred Experience: ICU, ER, Med/Surg experience 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. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Inpatient Care Safely and accurately initiates mechanical ventilation and makes suggestions on advanced modes of therapy. Manages non-invasive ventilation to include CPAP/BIPAP. Follows all ventilator bundle guidelines. Manages and maintains patient airway and ventilation using appropriate mechanical means. Performs advanced airway management (OORAM/intubating). Recognizes need for emergency measures in the most critically ill patient and performs accordingly as part of the CODE BLUE and RRT teams. Demonstrates competency in artificial airway management to include tracheostomy care and endotracheal tube management. Obtains biologics to include arterial blood gas puncture. Uses critical thinking skill when performing analysis and interpretation. Accurately able to run arterial/venous blood gases on blood gas analyzer and accurately enter results. Accurately verifies orders and acts in a timely manner and consults with providers and other healthcare professionals to deliver high quality care. Consistently determines and initiates complex respiratory care such as RT driven protocols to determine appropriate therapy for medication management, lung expansion, pulmonary hygiene and oxygen therapy. Documentation is completed in electronic medical record (including ICCA) per policy. Accurately and safely delivers inhaled medications using proper technique, medication dosage and delivery and monitor patient for potential side effects, assuring the ongoing safety of the patient receiving respiratory care. Is competent in the use of BCMA. Correctly enters event capture/encounter data within required timeframes. Utilizes patient assessment skills when monitoring for abnormalities in pulse, breath sounds and respiratory rate pre and post respiratory therapies. Performs various tests and procedures to measure and calculate respiratory function such as bedside pulmonary function testing and NIF testing. Performs nasotracheal suctioning to maintain a patent airway. Serves as preceptor to lower grade staff. Makes suggestions towards process improvement and may take the lead in developing the new practices. The inpatient respiratory therapist will do outpatient duties below as assigned: education on the use and care of-home nebulizer, flutter valve, incentive spirometer, cough assist device and other equipment deemed necessary. Outpatient Care Safely and accurately initiates mechanical ventilation orders and contract care for home patients and makes suggestions on advanced modes of therapy. Manages non-invasive ventilation to include CPAP/BIPAP/AVAPS/ASV. Assesses clinical picture based on remote monitoring data and initiates adjustments in therapy based on data using protocols and/or Pulmonary physician order. Follows all PAP therapy guidelines. Acts as PAP therapy Case manager for assigned patients, ensuring data download and regular clinical assessment of therapy efficacy. Recognizes the need for emergency measures and performs accordingly following BLS guidelines and current policy. Demonstrates competency in artificial airway management to include tracheostomy and Laryngectomy Care. Uses critical thinking skills when performing ABG analysis/interpretation and uses ABG and SpO2 data to make recommendations for home oxygen and PAP therapy orders. Accurately verifies orders and acts in a timely manner and consults with providers and other healthcare professionals to deliver high quality care. Consistently determines and initiates complex respiratory care such as RT driven protocols to determine appropriate therapy for medication management, lung expansion, pulmonary hygiene, PAP and oxygen therapy. Documentation is completed in the electronic medical record per policy. Accurately and safely delivers inhaled medications using proper technique, medication dosage/delivery and monitor the patient for potential side effects, assuring the ongoing safety of the patient receiving respiratory care. Competent in the use of BCMA. Correctly enters event capture and encounter data within the required timeframes. Schedules and checks out appointments following current policy and completes all scheduling training as mandated by policy. Utilizes patient assessment skills when monitoring for abnormalities in pulse, breath sounds, pulse oximetry and respiratory rate pre and post respiratory therapies. Performs all aspects of Pulmonary Function Testing including Pre- and Post-Spirometry, DLCO and lung volume testing. Recognizes abnormal test results and able to differentiate between poor patient effort and severe disease processes and troubleshoot PFT machine errors. Work Schedule: Night Shift - 7:00pm to 7:30am Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
