Summary

The incumbent will work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met.

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
• 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
• 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)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) GS-12
• Experience - Licensure and Credential
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• Hold an active license and RRT credential
• Certification
• Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing - exercise testing - metabolic testing - bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing
• Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab
• Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures
• Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures
• Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures
• Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures
• Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care
• A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties - both major and minor - that are not mentioned below
• Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy - and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served
• Duties include but not limited to the following: Ability to triage all PFT consults for all sites - responsible for correcting action required encounters - actively working on - and updating the Medicine Service consult report for PFT's
• Reviews - collects - and evaluates relevant clinical data
• Formulates an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment
• Communicates orally and in writing - changes - adjustments - and recommendations with other healthcare team members
• Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients
• Performs emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines
• Assembles - checks - and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment
• Other duties as assigned
• Physical demands: Work is primarily performed in patient care areas - in-patient and outpatient
• Extensive interaction with patients - staff - physicians - family members and visitors involved
• Moving equipment and supplies - lifting to 40 pounds - bending - stooping and possible exposure to body fluids is involved
• Work Schedule: Mon-Thu - 7:00AM-5:30PM Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized