Summary

The NJ VA Healthcare system is currently recruiting for 1 Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for the Respiratory Care Unit of the Pulmonary Medicine Section of the Medical Service. The RRT performs duties under the supervision of the Chief - Respiratory Care. The RRT performs - within scope of practice - diagnostic evaluations and engages in the teaching and treatment of patients including the most unusual and difficult cases requiring the highest levels of expertise and professional skills.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: US Citizen 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
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education - credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education - credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply:(1) Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure - certification or registration - may be reassigned - promoted or demoted within the occupation.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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.(5) 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.(6) 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
• Creditable Experience
• Experience is only creditable if credentialed as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or RRT - the experience is in respiratory care - pulmonary function testing or polysomnography and directly related to the position being filled
• To be creditable - the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge - skills and abilities (KSA) associated with current practice in paid employment as a CRT or RRT
• Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Working titles - such as program coordinator - assistant chief - national program manager - etc. - may be used at the organizational level to designate the work of the position.- Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary)- Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography)- Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary/Polysomnography)- Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist- Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph above - all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs below: Registered Respiratory Therapist -GS-11
• 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
• ii
• 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: 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 Preferred Qualifications: 3 years of Acute care experience
• 2 years of PFT lab experience
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) certification or greater required
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade in which someone may get selected is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.

Duties

• The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) serves in a critical care setting with responsibility for independently administering a variety of complex treatments and tests to both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients
• During emergency situations - the RT serves as a member of the Code Blue team in response to Cardiac and/or Respiratory arrests and is responsible independently inserting artificial airways into patient's trachea to provide controlled breathing
• They initiate manual ventilation using a manual resuscitation bag or bag-valve-mask (BVM) and maintains ventilation
• The RT is involved with the Rapid Response Team and responds to all calls in order to assess for any respiratory needs
• Setup and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume or pressure ventilators for critical care patients
• Based on patient assessment and analysis of arterial blood gas data - independently adjusts ventilator settings in order to change the patient's ventilation status
• Applies advanced ventilation techniques such as pressure control ventilation - tube compensation - and volume and pressure support ventilation
• Monitors patients closely to avoid complications and to alter the plan as necessary
• Initially and continuously assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination - respiratory monitoring - and diagnostic equipment
• Determines the effectiveness of the therapy being administered - communicates with physician - and suggests alternate modes of treatment as indicated
• Performs airway and endo-tracheal tube care on patients with artificial airways - including cleaning and securing the trach and endotracheal tube site - in-line suctioning - monitoring tube cuff pressure and inspecting equipment and patient to insure proper function
• Operates suction catheters attached to vacuum to remove secretions from patients' airways
• Places nasal and oropharyngeal airways and performing nasal and tracheal suctioning
• Perform chest physiotherapy using mechanical equipment or manual techniques
• Performs postural drainage to facilitate the removal of secretions
• Sets up and monitors oxygen delivery devices such as cannulas - masks - t-adaptors - face tents - humidifiers and aerosols containing prescribed medication to patients using standard respiratory equipment
• Skilled in assessment of oxygenation
• Demonstrates competency for obtaining arterial blood gas samples from patient using ABG kit - heparinized needle with syringe - and from Arterial Line
• During transport of patients with artificial airways - maintain the patient's airway - ensure ventilation - monitor respiration and oxygen saturation - and performs manual ventilations or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation when necessary as per AHA guidelines
• Perform patient clinical assessment - equipment setup - education and troubleshooting in areas of bronchial hygiene and lung expansion - home oxygen use - airway care - CPAP and Bi-Level machine and related equipment use - and COPD case management in the outpatient setting
• Will demonstrate the ability to utilize computer-based technologies - software and programs
• Documents treatments - pre and post Tx
• assessment and results of various checks - tests - procedures - and education pertinent to patient care in CPRS - BCMA
• Completes patient care as ordered in Respiratory Consult and closes consults
• Documents in the medical record - the results of patient and family education
• Attends and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings where the overall needs of the patient are addressed
• Communicates orally and in writing changes - adjustments - and recommendations with other healthcare team members
• Able to communicate with courtesy - clarity - and care in all verbal and non-verbal messages with physicians - nurses - students - peers - and other staff members in order to support the healing of the patient
• Provides inter- and intra-disciplinary in-services to other health care providers and students
• Assists in orientation and training of new staff
• Assembles - checks - and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment
• Maintains supplies - equipment - and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency
• May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent service/section on medical center - network - or national committees
• Performs bedside spirometry for inpatient and Pulmonary Function tests for inpatient and outpatient when trained and deemed competent
• May assist with the equipment set-up and bronchoscopy procedure
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Varied
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• Compressed Telework: Not Available
• Travel: Less than 25% (Between East Orange NJ facility and Lyons - NJ facility)
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 21P29-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required