Registered Respiratory Therapist

<p>Registered Respiratory Therapists at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. They use data and patient assessment to establish an 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.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The major job duties for the Registered Respiratory Therapist include but are not limited to: 1. Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities. 2. Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute-care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. 3. Explain the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital- based respiratory care protocols. 4. Evaluate and treat patients in a variety of settings, using the appropriate respiratory care protocols. 5. Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members. 6. Review and interpret arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests. 7. Perform basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. 8. Assessment of Need for Therapy - Assesses the need for therapies in all patient settings. 9. Medical Gas Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to gas delivery systems in all patient settings. 10. Humidity Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to humidity therapy systems in all patient settings. 11. Aerosol Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to aerosol systems in all patient settings. 12. Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to lung expansion equipment in all patient settings. 13. Airway Management- Apply knowledge, understanding and troubleshooting skills using airway management in all patient settings. 14. Evaluate social support system-recognition of anxiety, depression, signs of abuse and the knowledge of and ability to access community resources. 15. Initiate patient monitoring equipment and understand interpretation of data. Work Schedule: Day or Night Shift: 7:00am- 7:30pm; 7:00am- 3:30pm; 7:00pm- -0:730am; 7:30pm-3:30am (Specific shift and tour of duty will be discussed in the interview process.) Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91439-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.