Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration•Boston, MA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist works in Specialty Care services at the VA Boston Healthcare System in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, as a member of the VISN 1 Respiratory Therapy Section. The section provides the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care. This is a full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 a.m., with weekend and holiday rotations. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The therapist independently provides respiratory care in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, assesses patients, develops and evaluates plans of care, and collaborates with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Care includes airway and ventilation management, complex respiratory therapies and protocols, medication and oxygen delivery, and advanced ventilation and outpatient services. The therapist also performs diagnostic testing, home respiratory equipment evaluations and setups, patient education, and invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. The role may include precepting lower-graded staff and leading projects to develop policies, procedures, or protocols. The position is in the Excepted Service, covered by locality-based comparability pay, and has a full performance level of GS-11. Selection may be at GS-05 through GS-11. The position requires an accredited respiratory care program, applicable state licensure, and a current RRT credential, subject to the stated temporary RT appointment exception at GS-05. Applicants must meet the qualifications for the grade selected. The position requires U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, a background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program. A one- or two-year trial period is required.

Requirements

Successfully complete a respiratory care program accredited by CoARC or its successor.
Possess and maintain a full, current, unrestricted state license to practice as an RRT, subject to the stated exception for temporary RT appointments.
Possess and maintain a valid, current, unrestricted RRT credential, subject to the stated exception for temporary RT appointments.
Be proficient in written and spoken English.
Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Meet grade-specific experience, education, licensure, credential, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) requirements.
GS-07 candidates must hold the RRT credential and demonstrate ability to perform respiratory therapeutic modalities, analyze physiological specimens and basic diagnostic data, collaborate with healthcare professionals, assess oxygenation and ventilation, and perform basic airway management, including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
GS-09 candidates must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07 demonstrating specified clinical competencies, or a Master of Science degree in respiratory care together with a license and RRT credential; candidates must also demonstrate the stated GS-09 KSAs.
GS-11 candidates must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09 demonstrating specified clinical competencies, an active license and RRT credential, and the stated GS-11 KSAs.
Complete a background/security investigation, required online onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until requirements are met.
For the GS-05 temporary RT exception, candidates must have completed an accredited respiratory care program, hold the CRT credential, be fully state licensed, and be working toward the RRT credential; the temporary appointment is limited to one year and work must be under close RRT supervision.
Submit a transcript with the application when relying on education to qualify; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Nice To Haves

One year of ICU experience.

Responsibilities

Provide respiratory care independently in inpatient and/or outpatient settings.
Assess patients using history, pulmonary physical assessment, chart review, and appropriate monitoring data; develop a plan of care and determine whether outcomes are being met.
Consult and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality respiratory care and favorable patient outcomes.
Manage and maintain patients’ airways and ventilation using appropriate mechanical means.
Determine and implement complex respiratory care, including protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications, supplemental oxygen, and intubation.
Perform Home Oxygen Evaluations, Pulmonary Function Testing, Methacholine Challenge testing, and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.
Set up home CPAP/BiPAP and APAP equipment, conduct compliance checks and mask fitting, dispense equipment, educate patients, and perform basic maintenance.
Record patient findings before and during therapy and document results of therapy.
Use knowledge of respiratory medications and monitor patients for desired and adverse effects, including effects of the method used to deliver medication.
Monitor critical systems and use advanced ventilation modes and outpatient services, including home ventilators and COPD case management.
Suggest alternate treatment modes when indicated by assessment and analysis of patient response.
Perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement.
Serve as a preceptor to lower-graded staff and may lead projects developing policies, procedures, or protocols.
Perform additional duties as assigned.