Summary

Pulmonary services are under the Specialty Medicine Service Line at the Fargo VA Health Care System. Respiratory therapists provide inpatient and outpatient services to all patient care areas.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• 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
• 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-0601series 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-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid - current - unrestricted credential of RRT
• (1)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 38U.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-07level
• (b)RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received
• (c)RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT
• (d)Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• English Language Proficiency
• RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.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)
• Grade Determinations: (1) Respiratory Therapist - GS-05
• (a) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (b) Education and 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
• (2) Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-07
• (a) Experience - Education - Licensure and Registration
• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must possess their RRT credential
• (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i
• Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• ii
• 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
• iii
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• iv
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• v
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• (3) Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-09
• (a) Experience or Education - Licensure and Credential
• 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
• (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i
• Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• ii
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• iii
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• iv
• Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• (4)Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-11
• (a)Experience - Licensure and Credential
• 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
• (b)Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes
• ii
• Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities
• iii
• Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management
• Preferred Experience: Experience working in sleep medicine and with home PAP devices
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS5 to GS11
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Major duties include but are not limited to: Maintain ACLS and BLS certifications as outlined in VHA Directive 1177
• Maintain level 2 provider NORAM status as outlined in VHA Directive 1157 and local HR-45.SOP.1157(1) (437-123)
• Initiate invasive and non-invasive ventilation modalities
• Manage maintenance and weaning strategies via patient assessment and blood gas collection/analysis
• Initiate RT driven protocols to determine appropriate therapy for medication management - lung expansion - pulmonary hygiene - oxygen therapy - and ventilation
• Document in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) - Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) - IntelliSpace Critical Care and Anesthesia (ICCA) - and Event Capture accurately and promptly
• Knowledge and skill in outpatient respiratory testing and therapies such as home ventilation devices - pulmonary function tests - nocturnal desaturation or apnea studies - and chronic respiratory disease management
• Consistent with safe equipment and practice standards to include reprocessing of reusable medical equipment
• Work Schedule: 7:30am -4:00pm rotating schedule Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized