Register Respiratory Therapist
The incumbent, in general will educate, diagnose, and treat people who are suffering from heart and lung problems. Specialized in both cardiac and pulmonary care RRT will collaborate with specialists in pulmonology, sleep apnea physicians and anesthesia in various aspects of clinical care of patients. The RRT will work in all patient care areas of the medical center, CBOC both inpatient & outpatient,The RRT will provide respiratory care therapy, treatments and testing to Veterans according to orders written by medical providers including those patients that require ventilator support by mechanical means. Frequently, this involves examinations, assessments and/or treatment that require innovative and adaptive approaches. Work Schedule:
Full Time days General duties include delivering respiratory therapy and testing for inpatients and outpatients. Therapy consist of but not limited to providing oxygen therapy, home oxygen evaluations, medication administration (bronchodilators), non invasive and invasive ventilation, high-flow oxygen devices. pulmonary function testing, CPAP/BiPAP therapy, support specialty clinics and diagnostic procedures ie. Bronchoscopy, EBUS (endoscopy bronchoscopy ultrasound scope) and pleuroscopy. Clinical:
Use of mechanical ventilators including the initial set-up and readjustment of patient and alarm parameters. Set-up and use of special respiratory equipment as well as the routine modes of therapy. Maintaining proper connections and breathing circuits and identifying complications and/or abnormal patient responses. Recognizing and/or correct electrical and mechanical equipment failures and/or malfunctions on life support systems. Proper use and set-up of all types of monitoring equipment and data including ventilator monitoring, hemodynamic monitoring and arterial blood gases. Understand the use, action or reaction to medications and/or combinations of medications and oxygen and/or special gas mixes. Use of therapeutic and rehabilitation techniques such as postural drainage, chest physical therapy, chest percussion and incentive spirometry. The education and training of home patients, or those going home and their families, on the use of home therapy equipment and home therapy techniques. Rotation as therapist of Intensive Care Unit which includes the responsibility for the clinical Respiratory Care for the patients within the unit. Maintain constant contact and consulting with nursing staff, physicians physician assistants and other health care team members regarding changes in the patient's respiratory status, and to provide expertise and consultation for difficult and/or emergency situation Quickly and accurately analyzes patient data and makes intelligent decisions regarding the patients and/or life support equipment status. 12. Assists in endotracheal intubation insertion of nasopharyngeal airway, re-insertion or changing of tracheostomy tube, emergency/scheduled bronchoscopy, assisting and/or initiating cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and transportation of critically ill patients. 13. Performing arterial punctures or canalizations for arterial blood gas analysis and evaluation. 14. Participate with Pulmonary Function Testing. 15. Maintain and assist with all airway management, along with deep endotracheal/trachea/stoma suctioning. 16. Maintain professional, clean work attire. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/04/2020. 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 Certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another bodywhich 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. Preferred
Experience:
See the duties and responsibilities listed, prefer candidates that meet the GS-8 requirements Grade Determinations:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-8. Candidates must have all of the following:
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 medicalproblems 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 Part II appendix G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements:
The RRT will work in most areas of the medical center they are required to walk long distances up to 6 hours. In addition, they may have to stand for up to 8 hours. While transporting patients for testing (CT scan, MRI, Nuclear Medicine and Angiography etc.) some heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) of patients is required during transfer from bed to procedure table. Some straight pulling and pushing (up to 3 hours/day) of equipment used in their daily functions in required as well. This position will require the candidate to read a computer and other documents for extended period of times up to 2-3 hours and require ability to communicate verbally via the telephone and in person to other employees/stakeholders. Corrected vision via glasses or contacts is appropriate and use of a hearing aid or other device in order to correct hearing to within the normal adulate frequencies is allowed and appropriate. The environment for this position will not always mainly be in a hospital setting which is indoors and is in a controlled environment away from any adverse elements. At times, the incumbent may be around machinery with moving parts and that makes sounds such as beeping.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Full Time days General duties include delivering respiratory therapy and testing for inpatients and outpatients. Therapy consist of but not limited to providing oxygen therapy, home oxygen evaluations, medication administration (bronchodilators), non invasive and invasive ventilation, high-flow oxygen devices. pulmonary function testing, CPAP/BiPAP therapy, support specialty clinics and diagnostic procedures ie. Bronchoscopy, EBUS (endoscopy bronchoscopy ultrasound scope) and pleuroscopy. Clinical:
Use of mechanical ventilators including the initial set-up and readjustment of patient and alarm parameters. Set-up and use of special respiratory equipment as well as the routine modes of therapy. Maintaining proper connections and breathing circuits and identifying complications and/or abnormal patient responses. Recognizing and/or correct electrical and mechanical equipment failures and/or malfunctions on life support systems. Proper use and set-up of all types of monitoring equipment and data including ventilator monitoring, hemodynamic monitoring and arterial blood gases. Understand the use, action or reaction to medications and/or combinations of medications and oxygen and/or special gas mixes. Use of therapeutic and rehabilitation techniques such as postural drainage, chest physical therapy, chest percussion and incentive spirometry. The education and training of home patients, or those going home and their families, on the use of home therapy equipment and home therapy techniques. Rotation as therapist of Intensive Care Unit which includes the responsibility for the clinical Respiratory Care for the patients within the unit. Maintain constant contact and consulting with nursing staff, physicians physician assistants and other health care team members regarding changes in the patient's respiratory status, and to provide expertise and consultation for difficult and/or emergency situation Quickly and accurately analyzes patient data and makes intelligent decisions regarding the patients and/or life support equipment status. 12. Assists in endotracheal intubation insertion of nasopharyngeal airway, re-insertion or changing of tracheostomy tube, emergency/scheduled bronchoscopy, assisting and/or initiating cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and transportation of critically ill patients. 13. Performing arterial punctures or canalizations for arterial blood gas analysis and evaluation. 14. Participate with Pulmonary Function Testing. 15. Maintain and assist with all airway management, along with deep endotracheal/trachea/stoma suctioning. 16. Maintain professional, clean work attire. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/04/2020. 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 Certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another bodywhich 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. Preferred
Experience:
See the duties and responsibilities listed, prefer candidates that meet the GS-8 requirements Grade Determinations:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-8. Candidates must have all of the following:
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 medicalproblems 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 Part II appendix G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements:
The RRT will work in most areas of the medical center they are required to walk long distances up to 6 hours. In addition, they may have to stand for up to 8 hours. While transporting patients for testing (CT scan, MRI, Nuclear Medicine and Angiography etc.) some heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) of patients is required during transfer from bed to procedure table. Some straight pulling and pushing (up to 3 hours/day) of equipment used in their daily functions in required as well. This position will require the candidate to read a computer and other documents for extended period of times up to 2-3 hours and require ability to communicate verbally via the telephone and in person to other employees/stakeholders. Corrected vision via glasses or contacts is appropriate and use of a hearing aid or other device in order to correct hearing to within the normal adulate frequencies is allowed and appropriate. The environment for this position will not always mainly be in a hospital setting which is indoors and is in a controlled environment away from any adverse elements. At times, the incumbent may be around machinery with moving parts and that makes sounds such as beeping.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$52,596 to $68,375 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
