Registered Respiratory Therapist
Duties and responsibilities of the Respiratory Therapist include but are not limited to:
Set up, calibrate, operate, monitor and trouble shoot complex respiratory therapy equipment such as volume and pressure cycled ventilators, respiratory monitors, mass spectrometer, assisted and controlled ventilators, Oximeter, oxygen analyzers and end tidal CO2 monitors to provide emergency and intensive respiratory care. Perform airway care on intensive care patients including tracheobronchial and nasotracheal suctioning, endotracheal and tracheostomy tube cuff pressure monitoring, chest physiotherapy involving postural draining and percussion, chest examinations for the presence of secretions, proper placement of the endotracheal tube, tracheostomy care, extubation and tracheostomy changes. Respond to all Code Blue and Rapid Response calls/pages. Trained staff will have the ability to place an artificial airway in emergency situations per policy. Provide Cardiopulmonary resuscitation as required per BLS/ACLS guidelines. Based on physician orders, adjust mechanical ventilator settings to maintain the patient's respiratory stability. Apply advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Assess the patient for weaning from the ventilator and extubation. Perform diagnostic tests including Pulmonary Function Testing, measurement of respiratory compliance, inspiratory force, tidal volume, and dead space to tidal volume ratios. Perform routine respiratory therapy treatments on hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols (SVN/MDI/DPI), humidity therapy, and the collection of respiratory specimens. Monitor patient's physiological responses including vital signs, arterial blood gases, blood chemistry, adverse reactions to therapies (change in breath sounds, cough production, physiological responses and patient response) and document results/evaluation in the medical record and notify staff and physicians or response. Provide respiratory care requested by medical staff to perform patient care assessments including airway competency, reviewing patient clinical data information to provide recommendations for optimal therapeutic interventions and treatment plans. Responsible for maintenance and sterilization of inhalation therapy equipment and instruments for the measurement of pulmonary function. Notify supervisor of any necessary repair or replacement. Keep current with recent advances in inhalation therapies. Maintain a current BLS and ACLS American Heart Association certification. Rotate On-Call and work varied shifts as needed or requested to provide 24-hour coverage of the cardiopulmonary section. Provide educational in-services to hospital personnel on respiratory therapy services. Draw arterial, venous, and mixed venous blood samples from patients using a needle and syringe or via an arterial line. Provide patient and family education for home respiratory therapy care, Home Oxygen and PAP therapy. Instruct patients on airway clearance, breathing techniques and exercises in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Perform instruction for hook up of overnight oximetry testing for patient and/or caregiver; download data from oximetry and inputs results into the electronic medical record for physician review. Responsible for all administrative details of the department such as ordering supplies and equipment, fund control, and weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports. Perform various procedures to control and maintain artificial airways including adjunct airways. Score Home Sleep Tests including stage, respiratory events, limb movements, EEG arousals, with or without respiratory or limb movement events, heart rate, oxygen saturation level, body position, snoring, myoclonus, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias. Instruct patients on home sleep study equipment, download and interpret data (in a clinic setting or remotely), enter results into the patient's electronic medical record for physician review. Administer Epworth Sleep Scale test to patients. Set up and instruct patients on outpatient PAP therapy per physician order. Work Schedule:
Full-Time, Day shift, varied days, 8,10, and 12 hour tours Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
A. United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. B. Registered Respiratory Therapist. Has a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which 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. C. English Language Proficiency. RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Preferred
Experience:
-1 year CPAP, home sleep testing, and acute care experience. -Must have Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification. -Must have any state license and valid NBRC RRT credentials. -Preferred SDS (Sleep Disorders Specialty) Credential or RRT with RPSGT (Registered Polysomnography Technologist) credential. -Preferred ability to score using the AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) guidelines (Gold Standard) Grade Determinations:
Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-7:
None beyond the basic requirements. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-8. Candidates must have all the following:
(1) 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 medical problems 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 work requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The therapist must frequently bend, reach, stoop and stretch to set up and take apart respiratory equipment. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures in confined areas of the intensive care units. Work is performed in various intensive care units and wards of the hospital. The Respiratory Therapist frequently works with patients who have severe respiratory disorders. There is recurring exposure to contagious diseases, odors and flammable gases. The therapist is required to wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask to prevent diseases and the spread of infection.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Set up, calibrate, operate, monitor and trouble shoot complex respiratory therapy equipment such as volume and pressure cycled ventilators, respiratory monitors, mass spectrometer, assisted and controlled ventilators, Oximeter, oxygen analyzers and end tidal CO2 monitors to provide emergency and intensive respiratory care. Perform airway care on intensive care patients including tracheobronchial and nasotracheal suctioning, endotracheal and tracheostomy tube cuff pressure monitoring, chest physiotherapy involving postural draining and percussion, chest examinations for the presence of secretions, proper placement of the endotracheal tube, tracheostomy care, extubation and tracheostomy changes. Respond to all Code Blue and Rapid Response calls/pages. Trained staff will have the ability to place an artificial airway in emergency situations per policy. Provide Cardiopulmonary resuscitation as required per BLS/ACLS guidelines. Based on physician orders, adjust mechanical ventilator settings to maintain the patient's respiratory stability. Apply advanced ventilator techniques such as positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Assess the patient for weaning from the ventilator and extubation. Perform diagnostic tests including Pulmonary Function Testing, measurement of respiratory compliance, inspiratory force, tidal volume, and dead space to tidal volume ratios. Perform routine respiratory therapy treatments on hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols (SVN/MDI/DPI), humidity therapy, and the collection of respiratory specimens. Monitor patient's physiological responses including vital signs, arterial blood gases, blood chemistry, adverse reactions to therapies (change in breath sounds, cough production, physiological responses and patient response) and document results/evaluation in the medical record and notify staff and physicians or response. Provide respiratory care requested by medical staff to perform patient care assessments including airway competency, reviewing patient clinical data information to provide recommendations for optimal therapeutic interventions and treatment plans. Responsible for maintenance and sterilization of inhalation therapy equipment and instruments for the measurement of pulmonary function. Notify supervisor of any necessary repair or replacement. Keep current with recent advances in inhalation therapies. Maintain a current BLS and ACLS American Heart Association certification. Rotate On-Call and work varied shifts as needed or requested to provide 24-hour coverage of the cardiopulmonary section. Provide educational in-services to hospital personnel on respiratory therapy services. Draw arterial, venous, and mixed venous blood samples from patients using a needle and syringe or via an arterial line. Provide patient and family education for home respiratory therapy care, Home Oxygen and PAP therapy. Instruct patients on airway clearance, breathing techniques and exercises in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Perform instruction for hook up of overnight oximetry testing for patient and/or caregiver; download data from oximetry and inputs results into the electronic medical record for physician review. Responsible for all administrative details of the department such as ordering supplies and equipment, fund control, and weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports. Perform various procedures to control and maintain artificial airways including adjunct airways. Score Home Sleep Tests including stage, respiratory events, limb movements, EEG arousals, with or without respiratory or limb movement events, heart rate, oxygen saturation level, body position, snoring, myoclonus, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias. Instruct patients on home sleep study equipment, download and interpret data (in a clinic setting or remotely), enter results into the patient's electronic medical record for physician review. Administer Epworth Sleep Scale test to patients. Set up and instruct patients on outpatient PAP therapy per physician order. Work Schedule:
Full-Time, Day shift, varied days, 8,10, and 12 hour tours Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
A. United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. B. Registered Respiratory Therapist. Has a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which 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. C. English Language Proficiency. RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Preferred
Experience:
-1 year CPAP, home sleep testing, and acute care experience. -Must have Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification. -Must have any state license and valid NBRC RRT credentials. -Preferred SDS (Sleep Disorders Specialty) Credential or RRT with RPSGT (Registered Polysomnography Technologist) credential. -Preferred ability to score using the AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) guidelines (Gold Standard) Grade Determinations:
Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-7:
None beyond the basic requirements. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-8. Candidates must have all the following:
(1) 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 medical problems 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 work requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The therapist must frequently bend, reach, stoop and stretch to set up and take apart respiratory equipment. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures in confined areas of the intensive care units. Work is performed in various intensive care units and wards of the hospital. The Respiratory Therapist frequently works with patients who have severe respiratory disorders. There is recurring exposure to contagious diseases, odors and flammable gases. The therapist is required to wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask to prevent diseases and the spread of infection.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$43,251 to $62,269 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
