Registered Respiratory Therapist
The Registered Respiratory Therapist is expected to perform direct patient care duties, as necessary, and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including:
mechanical ventilators, CPAP/BiPAP devices, pulmonary function equipment, oxygen monitors/analyzers, and pressure transducers and other items of equipment used in providing respiratory therapy. Regularly monitors condition of respiratory equipment and notifies supervisory staff of any necessary repair or replacement. Documents all procedures and complies with quality control, infection control, physician orders and departmental policies and procedures. Insures that all respiratory care patient activities are properly documented in the clinical record and department workload records. Assists in the orientation and training of new staff and participates in peer-based clinical instruction to other members of the health care team as well as patients/families as required. Provides respiratory care consults for requesting medical staff by performing patient care assessments, including reviewing patient information and clinical data to provide recommendations for optimal therapeutic intervention. Administers oxygen and other gas therapy; humidity therapy; and aerosol therapy; as specified by a physician's order. Performs Bronchopulmonary Hygiene Therapy which may include, IPV, Cough Assist, Chest Physical Therapy (CPT) to assist broncho-pulmonary drainage and assists patients in performing hyperinflation-breathing exercises using Incentive Spirometry, EzPAP, and similar devices. Performs arterial puncture (radial, or brachial) to obtain specimen for arterial blood gas analysis, analyzing values using a blood gas machine or iSTAT machine or sends specimen to lab in a timely manner. Administers respiratory medications (e.g. bronchodilators, pentamidine, nitric oxide) and collects respiratory specimens (e.g. sputum) per doctor's order and in accordance with department policy. Initiates, monitors, and manages complex respiratory care devices such as mechanical ventilators, metabolic monitors, Bronchoscopy systems, CPAP/BiPAP, INOvent Nitric Oxide delivery system and may assist with pulmonary exercise stress testing equipment (CPET). . Work Schedule:
Full-Time 7:
30pm-8:
00am 12 Hours Shifts, Compressed/Flexible Tour of Duty Functional Statement:
Registered Respiratory Therapist GS-0601-8 Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/10/2020. 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:
RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Registered Respiratory Therapist:
Has a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either:
(1) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, or (2) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June 1974. Grade Determinations:
GS-8 Registered Respiratory Therapist - Candidates must have all of the following:
(1) At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience at this level is work which includes duties such as:
administering assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters; administering and monitoring advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive airway pressure; developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators; assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment; performing the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care; and providing in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. (2) Demonstrated knowledge and ability needed to perform complex respiratory procedures with minimal supervision. Is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment, with great reliance on the individual's knowledge of the equipment. (3) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; service as a shift leader or supervisor or sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift; and to plan and conduct training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005 APRIL 15, 2002 PART II APPENDIX G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here, and outlined on the OF 178 Certificate of Medical Examination are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and lifting. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Staff may be required to don protective equipment in isolation situations or for operative/invasive procedures. They may also be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The tasks of a staff respiratory therapist require standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The incumbent must frequently bend, reach, stoop, and stretch, and lift to set-up and take apart respiratory equipment, position patients for treatment, and participate in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation - all duties requiring coordination and stamina. The staff therapist must also be able to push/pull, lift, and maneuver moderately heavy objects such as oxygen cylinders, ventilators, and other pieces of medical equipment. Setup and manipulation of respiratory equipment will at times require considerable manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. In addition, monitoring and recording respiratory data requires observation of computer screens and interaction with various computer input devices.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
mechanical ventilators, CPAP/BiPAP devices, pulmonary function equipment, oxygen monitors/analyzers, and pressure transducers and other items of equipment used in providing respiratory therapy. Regularly monitors condition of respiratory equipment and notifies supervisory staff of any necessary repair or replacement. Documents all procedures and complies with quality control, infection control, physician orders and departmental policies and procedures. Insures that all respiratory care patient activities are properly documented in the clinical record and department workload records. Assists in the orientation and training of new staff and participates in peer-based clinical instruction to other members of the health care team as well as patients/families as required. Provides respiratory care consults for requesting medical staff by performing patient care assessments, including reviewing patient information and clinical data to provide recommendations for optimal therapeutic intervention. Administers oxygen and other gas therapy; humidity therapy; and aerosol therapy; as specified by a physician's order. Performs Bronchopulmonary Hygiene Therapy which may include, IPV, Cough Assist, Chest Physical Therapy (CPT) to assist broncho-pulmonary drainage and assists patients in performing hyperinflation-breathing exercises using Incentive Spirometry, EzPAP, and similar devices. Performs arterial puncture (radial, or brachial) to obtain specimen for arterial blood gas analysis, analyzing values using a blood gas machine or iSTAT machine or sends specimen to lab in a timely manner. Administers respiratory medications (e.g. bronchodilators, pentamidine, nitric oxide) and collects respiratory specimens (e.g. sputum) per doctor's order and in accordance with department policy. Initiates, monitors, and manages complex respiratory care devices such as mechanical ventilators, metabolic monitors, Bronchoscopy systems, CPAP/BiPAP, INOvent Nitric Oxide delivery system and may assist with pulmonary exercise stress testing equipment (CPET). . Work Schedule:
Full-Time 7:
30pm-8:
00am 12 Hours Shifts, Compressed/Flexible Tour of Duty Functional Statement:
Registered Respiratory Therapist GS-0601-8 Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/10/2020. 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:
RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Registered Respiratory Therapist:
Has a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either:
(1) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, or (2) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June 1974. Grade Determinations:
GS-8 Registered Respiratory Therapist - Candidates must have all of the following:
(1) At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience at this level is work which includes duties such as:
administering assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters; administering and monitoring advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive airway pressure; developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators; assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment; performing the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care; and providing in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. (2) Demonstrated knowledge and ability needed to perform complex respiratory procedures with minimal supervision. Is able to participate with physicians and nurses and other staff in planning respiratory treatment, with great reliance on the individual's knowledge of the equipment. (3) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; service as a shift leader or supervisor or sole responsible respiratory therapist on a shift; and to plan and conduct training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005 APRIL 15, 2002 PART II APPENDIX G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here, and outlined on the OF 178 Certificate of Medical Examination are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and lifting. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Staff may be required to don protective equipment in isolation situations or for operative/invasive procedures. They may also be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The tasks of a staff respiratory therapist require standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The incumbent must frequently bend, reach, stoop, and stretch, and lift to set-up and take apart respiratory equipment, position patients for treatment, and participate in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation - all duties requiring coordination and stamina. The staff therapist must also be able to push/pull, lift, and maneuver moderately heavy objects such as oxygen cylinders, ventilators, and other pieces of medical equipment. Setup and manipulation of respiratory equipment will at times require considerable manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. In addition, monitoring and recording respiratory data requires observation of computer screens and interaction with various computer input devices.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$47,899 to $62,269 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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