This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g. Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) showing award of certificate or completion of program to receive credit. Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist 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 a Registered Respiratory Therapist. You must submit a copy of your unexpired licensure to receive credit. Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). You must submit a copy of your valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT through NBRC to receive credit. Exception. RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below. (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Preferred Experience: Credentialed as an RRT, Respiratory Therapy State License Grade Requirements: GS-05 Requirements Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Education, Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. Grade Requirements: GS-07 Requirements Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.(b) Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures.(c) Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.(d) Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.(e) Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Grade Requirements: GS-09 Requirements Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.(b) Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.(c) Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation(d) Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Grade Requirements: GS-11 Requirements Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.(b) Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.(c) Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II Appendix G11, Registered Respiratory Therapist, Qualification Standard 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 in the range of GS 5 to GS 11. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. ["Current, permanent VA employees or Federal employees from another agency should apply using announcement: CBST-12113424-23-AC Include, but not limited to: Administers a variety of complex respiratory therapy treatments. Patients will be assessed by history, pulmonary physical assessment, and chart review before the start of therapy. Changes in these findings during therapy and results of therapy will be recorded. Use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. Consults with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. The therapist will be knowledgeable regarding the use of medications in respiratory therapy and will observe the patient for desired and adverse effects of those medications, as well as the effects of the type of therapy delivering the medications. Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators (critical systems), end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen delivery devices, re-breathers, and oximetry monitors. Suggests alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient. Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols, incentive spirometry, chest physical therapy. Sputum specimens will be obtained by induction as ordered. Patient education will be done in all aspects of respiratory care pertaining to the individual patient and according to the patient's or his family's ability to assimilate the information. The therapist will function as a member of the Code Blue and Rapid Response Teams and is expected to be proficient in basic CPR, Emergency Airway Management to include intubation and provide ventilation with use of resuscitation bag. Responsible to maintain a current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Out of Operating Room Airway Management (OOORAM) certifications including intubation checkoff. The therapist will assist in transport outside the medical center or to other areas of the medical center for those patients requiring respiratory support as indicated. During transport of patients, maintains clearance of airway, monitors vital signs, and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary. The therapist will attend continuing education programs inside and outside the medical center as appropriate to keep abreast of changes and developments in respiratory therapy and in other areas impacting respiratory therapy and to maintain CEU's for state license and NBRC credentialing. Draws arterial blood samples from patients throughout the medical center in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with established policy and procedure. Responsible for operation, routine maintenance, daily calibrations, and quality control of the ABG analyzer. Calibrates complex respiratory equipment such as PFT analyzers to assure accurate performance. Provides equipment set up and cleaning, intraoperative assistance, and processing of all clinical specimens in the performance of fiber optic bronchoscopies. Assists physician in performing bronchoscopy procedures. Performs pulmonary function (PFT) studies as required. These include spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity. Delivers respiratory care as needed in the more complex respiratory care procedures and to poor risk patients such as those in the older age group. Participates in the audit of respiratory care, recommending changes where indicated. Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care using hospital policies and procedures, including appropriate cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Responsible for assisting the Cardiopulmonary leadership with creating, revising, and implementing various respiratory procedures, performance improvement monitors and processes, and to participate on various clinical focused committees. As time and working hours allow, in-patient therapists will assist in the outpatient cardiopulmonary clinics where they may have responsibility for performing EKG's, PFT's, apply and remove Holter Monitors, editing and retrieval of EKG's, provide CPAP education, set-up's and issue supplies, assist with stress testing and other duties as needed. During non-outpatient clinic hours, EKGs are performed by the therapist's according to policy. Work Schedule: 6:00pm- 6:30am, to possibly include weekends and holidays. Tour may be changed based on workload. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00108-F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required EDRP Authorized: Contact jennifer.isbell-gross@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more."]

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