Career Center

This Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRC) position will be stationed at the Gaylord Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Gaylord, Michigan. This CBOC is affiliated with the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, Michigan. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. 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. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Must provide copy of education certification. 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. Must provide copy of license. 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. Must provide copy of credentialing. 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). 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). 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. Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11: Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. The following experience of RRT's at this level can interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriate mechanical means. RRTs assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. 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: Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11 This position it at the full performance level GS-11. Physical Requirements: a. This position requires sitting, constant walking, standing, stretching, bending, and carrying light to medium b. Exposure to meeting with employees and external contacts who may be angry and/or upset. May observe patient suffering. c. Ability to read printed material, such as reports and Standard Operating Procedures. d. Ability to view information on computer screens and in CPRS orders. e. Ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around work space safely. f. Ability to adapt to successfully perform in high stress environments with constant interruptions, emergent/critical/unusual situations, high volume urgency of issues, and interactions with a wide variety of professionals and personalities. g. Ability to work alone and perform a variety of duties, changing one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure, and consistently meet department work schedule demands, including documentation and participation in workgroup, committees, etc. h. Ability to read printed material, gauges, computer monitor, and distinguish colors, such as color monitors or reading doctor's orders and visualizing the hue of patient's skin, wounds, etc. ["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 cardiopulmonary needs of the patients served. Essential functions are required to be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time for above full performance ratings. As a Registered Respiratory Therapist, the duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: a. Reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data from the medical records; care team, patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated.\nb. As a direct patient care provider, documents timely and completely all patient contact in the electronic health record (EHR) system. Completes today's work today.\nc. Assists the PCP (Primary Care Provider) in formulating an appropriate Respiratory Care plan based upon patient assessment, history, lung auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc.\nd. The Therapist will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to benefit patient care and assist the Provider in formulating an appropriate Home Respiratory Care Plan based upon patient assessment, history, oxygen assessment, data review and standard protocols.\ne. The Therapist will communicate changes in the Home Respiratory Care Plan, patient status and recommendations for improvement to health care team members based upon patient observation, discussion, patient history, diagnostic test values and patient care protocols when\nappropriate.\nf. The Therapist will provide effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, coworkers, etc., as appropriate. Education and support will be provided to patients in such a manner that promotes an understanding of and compliance with therapy.\ng. The Therapist will be capable of performing therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for adults and geriatric patients. Various techniques will include interpretation of clinical data such as sleep studies, CPAP compliance reports, oxygen assessment data, CPAP set-up, oxygen tank set-up, and use of a conserving device etc.\nh. Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures, including pulse oximetry, arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, Feno testing and Pulmonary Function testing.\ni. Performs emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines. Has completed intubation training and completes bi-annual re-certification as provided. Performs intubations/airway management as required.\nj. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement. Participates in unit rounds and grand rounds as workload permits.\nk. Participates in the V-Tel program for Home Oxygen and CPAP patients.\nl. Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling.\nm. Follows the Laboratory procedures for specimen suitability for testing. Is capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results. Controls sample physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained.\nn. Adheres to Medical Center policy in reporting and documenting of all critical testing results.\no. Complies with all Medical Center policies and procedures regarding safety practices. Demonstrates working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocol to include universal precautions, SDS safety program, use of personal protective equipment in designated areas, and performance of proper hand washing and gelling techniques.\np. Possess the ability to assume responsibility to plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate programs involving the Respiratory Department. Performs duties and responsibilities with a great deal of independence and little or no direct oversight.\nq. Assists in the Home Oxygen, CPAP, and Home Sleep clinics as needed and assigned.\nr. Assists in the home oxygen visits as required per VISN Home Oxygen Program guidelines.\ns. CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic) RT staff will assist in coverage in all CBOC areas where RT staff are assigned when needed.\nt. Assists with training of CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic) personnel as required.\nu. Performs as a member of the Code Blue team and the Rapid Response team.\nv. Performs other duties as may be assigned.\nw. Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.\nx. Maintains current BLS certification, respiratory licensure and current intubation training, as required by current policy. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm\nTelework: Not Authorized\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #:91320-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]