Clarification from the agency

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Respiratory Therapists function as members of the critical care team in treating and assessing the needs of individuals who may be seriously ill and provide around the clock care to individuals who otherwise would not be able to survive life-threatening conditions. The Registered Respiratory Therapist must be well versed in all aspects of general respiratory care as well as other functions including but not limited to the following:

• Follows established policies and procedures when performing standard, nonstandard, and specialized treatments to patients
• Maintains NBRC Credentials and completes continuing education routinely Routinely administers prescribed treatments and therapy
• Fully demonstrates competencies in initiating, monitoring, and documenting all modes of mechanical ventilation including NIPPV
• Consistently provides airway care for all patients throughout the medical center including emergency intubation, nasal and ET tube suctioning, and securing ET tubes.
• Maintains competencies in out of operating room airway management.
• Immediately responds to meet the need of patients requiring cardiopulmonary resucitation
• Maintains basic life support credentials
• Completes barcode medication adminstration in accordance with department policies and procedures
• Routinely measures plateau pressure, cuff pressures, response to therapies, pulmonary mechanics, auto-PEEP, weaning parameters, RSBI, peak expiratory flow rate, and pulse oximetry, on mechanically ventilated patients
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability needed to independently perform complex respiratory procedures
• Following established policies and procedures when assembling, identifying, calibrating and trouble-shooting equipment.
• Instructs patient pre-procedure to assure confidence and cooperation of patient during procedures. Answers question by patient and or family members.
• Evaluates the validity of tests performed and reports/verifies results verbally, or in writing as per policies. This includes detecting and repeating questionable values and following up on unusual or discrepant results prior to reporting of test results.

Work Schedule: Varied Tours 10:00PM-8:30AM - Compressed / Alternative Tour available
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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: 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).
• Certification 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 197 4 through 1982 or (2) American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June 1974.

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).

Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is a requirement for this position, applicants MUST have training as evidenced by a certificate from the American Heart Association (AHA) and/or Military Training Network (MTN). ACLS within one year of employment

Grade Determinations:
To Qualify at the GS 7: None beyond the basic qualifications and requirements.

To Qualify at the GS 8:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:
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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 07 to 08.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Pushing (Up to 1 hour); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Kneeling; Repeated bending ; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); No skin allergies.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.