Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • East Orange, NJ

16d • Onsite

About The Position

The New Jersey VA Health Care System is hiring two Registered Respiratory Therapists for its East Orange and Lyons facilities. The positions are in the Respiratory Care Unit of the Pulmonary Medicine Section of Medical Service. The incumbent works independently at the full-performance level, providing respiratory care in inpatient and/or outpatient settings.

The therapist administers complex respiratory treatments and tests, assesses patients’ cardiopulmonary conditions, manages airways and ventilators, and responds to cardiac and respiratory emergencies as a Code Blue team member. The role also includes outpatient patient assessment and education, equipment troubleshooting, documentation, equipment quality control, and participation in clinical protocols, programs, and policy development. The full-performance level is GS-11.

The work schedule is intermittent with varied hours based on facility needs. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, and virtual work are not available. The position is subject to federal employment requirements, including citizenship and English proficiency requirements, background investigation, drug testing for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable provisions.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by CoARC or its successor.
• A full, current, unrestricted state license to practice as an RRT, maintained throughout employment.
• A valid, current, unrestricted RRT credential, maintained throughout employment.
• For the GS-11 grade determination, one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09 demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
• For the GS-11 grade determination, an active license and RRT credential.
• Ability to consult collaboratively with physicians and other health professionals on complex respiratory care and develop care plans aimed at favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic modalities.
• Skill in advanced airway and ventilation management.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Service of a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of adult critical-care experience.
• Three years of pulmonary function testing experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently administer complex respiratory treatments and tests to ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients throughout the medical center.
• Serve on the Code Blue team during cardiac or respiratory arrests and independently insert artificial airways in accordance with VA airway-management policy.
• Set up and monitor complex respiratory equipment, including volume- or pressure-based ventilators for critical-care patients.
• Assess patients and arterial blood gas data, then independently adjust ventilator settings to change ventilation status.
• Initially and continuously assess assigned patients’ cardiopulmonary conditions using physical examination, respiratory monitoring, and diagnostic equipment.
• Perform airway and endotracheal intubation and care for artificial airways, including cleaning and securing tube sites, in-line suctioning, monitoring cuff pressure, and checking equipment and patient function.
• Use suction catheters to remove airway secretions; place nasal and oropharyngeal airways; and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning.
• Perform chest physiotherapy using mechanical equipment or manual techniques.
• Set up and monitor oxygen-delivery devices, humidifiers, and aerosols containing prescribed medication.
• Obtain arterial blood gas samples using an ABG kit and heparinized syringe or from an arterial line.
• During transport of patients with artificial airways, maintain airways and ventilation, monitor respiration and oxygen saturation, and provide manual ventilation or CPR when necessary under AHA guidelines.
• Perform outpatient clinical assessment, equipment setup, education, and troubleshooting for bronchial hygiene, lung expansion, home oxygen, airway care, CPAP and Bi-Level equipment, and COPD case management.
• Document treatments, assessments, test and procedure results, equipment checks, and patient education in CPRS and BCMA; complete ordered respiratory consult care and close consults.
• Help resolve technical and clinical work problems not covered by established procedures.
• Participate in developing guidelines, protocols, patient programs, and program evaluations; lead projects developing policies; and work on the Root Cause Analysis team to identify best practices.
• Assemble and check respiratory and technology-based equipment, correct malfunctions, and perform quality controls.
• Perform bedside spirometry for inpatients and pulmonary function tests for inpatients and outpatients when trained and deemed competent.
• May assist with equipment setup and bronchoscopy procedures.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Prior federal or military service may be credited toward annual leave accrual if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree