The New Jersey Healthcare System is currently recruiting for 1 Registered Respiratory for the Respiratory Care Unit of the Pulmonary Medicine Section of Medical Service. The Registered Respiratory Therapist is a respiratory care practitioner who has passed the registry exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and who is employed under medical direction of the Chief of Respiratory Care. 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: To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. ? 7407(a) for more information. 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). Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Physical Demands: Work will fluctuate from sedentary to moderate physical requirements. Physical demands will include but are not limited to bending at the waste, reaching above the head, lifting from the knees <10lbs, pushing and pulling > 25lbs. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office, clinic, and inpatient setting. Office/clinic setting normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lit, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Inpatient environment is adequately lit, heated and ventilated. Personal Protective Equipment will be worn according to any precautions posted. 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: Note: Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care. Grade Determinations for GS-0601-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist: In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) defined in the specific assignment as follows: Grade Qualification Requirements: 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. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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. Preferred Qualification: In addition to the Basic Qualifications and Grade Determination Requirements listed above, the following are preferred qualifications: Pulmonary Function testing experience. PFT credentials are highly preferred (CPFT and/or RPFT Certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)). Must submit proof of certification at the time of application. 3 -5 years of Critical Care experience. Long term Care experience. Intubation experience. ACLS certification. Valid, unexpired Driver's License, in order to respond to cardiac arrest and other emergency calls. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11, dated March 12, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Assignments. RRTs at this grade level 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. 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 using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment when indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. Creditable Experience. Experience is only creditable if credentialed as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or RRT, the experience is in respiratory care, pulmonary function testing or polysomnography and directly related to the position being filled. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) associated with current practice in paid employment as a CRT or RRT. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek (e.g., an RRT who worked 20 hours a week would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service). ["The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and performs, within his/her scope of practice, diagnostic evaluations and engages in the teaching and treatment of patients including the most unusual and difficult cases requiring the highest levels of expertise and professional skills. The services are performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and policies and procedures of the New Jersey Health Care System. The protocol and procedures are established for the treatment, management, evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. This is the full performance level for the Registered Respiratory Therapist. Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves in a critical care setting with responsibility for independently administering a variety of complex treatments and tests to both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. During emergency situations, the RT serves as a member of the Code Blue team in response to Cardiac and/or Respiratory arrests and is responsible independently inserting artificial airways into patient's trachea. Setup and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume or pressure ventilators for critical care patients. Initially and continuously assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients. Determines the effectiveness of the therapy being administered, communicates with physician, and suggests alternate modes of treatment. Performs airway and endo-tracheal tube care on patients with artificial airways, including cleaning and securing the trach and endotracheal tube site, in-line suctioning, monitoring tube cuff pressure and inspecting equipment and patient to insure proper function. Perform chest physiotherapy using mechanical equipment or manual techniques. Performs postural drainage to facilitate the removal of secretions. Sets up and monitors oxygen delivery devices such as cannulas, masks, t-adaptors, face tents, humidifiers and aerosols containing prescribed medication to patients using standard respiratory equipment. Skilled in assessment of oxygenation. Demonstrates competency for obtaining arterial blood gas samples from patient using ABG kit, heparinized needle with syringe, and from Arterial Line. During transport of patients with artificial airways, maintain the patient's airway, ensure ventilation, monitor respiration and oxygen saturation, and performs manual ventilations or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation when necessary as per AHA guidelines. Perform patient clinical assessment, equipment setup, education and troubleshooting in areas of bronchial hygiene and lung expansion, home oxygen use, airway care, CPAP and Bi-Level machine and related equipment use, and COPD case management in the outpatient setting. Will demonstrate the ability to utilize computer-based technologies, software and programs. Documents treatments, pre and post assessment and results. Completes patient care as ordered in Respiratory Consult. Attends and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings where the overall needs of the patient are addressed. Communicates orally and in writing changes, adjustments, and recommendations. Provides inter- and intra-disciplinary in-services to other health care providers and students. Assists in orientation and training of new staff. Serve as a preceptor and monitors lower graded staff. Plan and conduct training sessions with hospital staff, patients, and family members. Assists in implementing solutions to technical and clinical work problems not covered by precedent or established procedures. Research and recommend based on the most current data for best practice. Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs and evaluation of existing programs, lead projects developing new policies, works on the Root Cause Analysis team. Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment. Maintains supplies, equipment, and clinical areas. May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent service/section on medical center, network, or national committees. May assist with the equipment set-up and bronchoscopy procedure Performs Pulmonary function tests. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Intermittent hours, to be discussed with hiring manager Telework: Not Available Travel: Less than 50% (Between East Orange, NJ facility and Lyons, NJ facility) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:21P29-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
