Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, ME

23d • Onsite

About The Position

This Registered Respiratory Therapist position is in Medical service at the VA Maine Medical Center, located at the Augusta, Maine location. The incumbent is responsible for administering a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments, setting up and monitoring respiratory equipment, performing bedside diagnostic tests, and assisting with advanced airway placement. Duties also include initiating artificial ventilation during cardiac arrests, maintaining airway clearance during transport, and performing routine respiratory therapy treatments. The role involves providing in-service training to other staff, calibrating respiratory equipment, and maintaining accurate patient records. Additionally, the therapist is responsible for ensuring equipment is in good condition and compliant with safety codes, managing supplies, and distributing oxygen tanks. Evening shift therapists have specific responsibilities related to monitoring and distributing oxygen tanks. The position may offer promotion potential to the full performance level without further competition upon meeting all requirements. This is a developmental position with the full performance level at GS-11.

Requirements

• 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 evaluation.
• 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.
• Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency.
• RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.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).
• RTs at this grade level perform basic therapeutic modalities in all areas of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RRT at the full performance level or higher.
• RTs are responsible for such assignments as medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds.
• Candidates must possess their RRT credential.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• 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.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• RRTs at this grade level will be responsible for the following assignments with minimal clinical supervision from an RRT at the full performance level in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings.
• RRTs complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members.
• They use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care.
• They place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning.
• RRTs obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples.
• They perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in-line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment.
• RRTs provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.
• Candidates must have One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR, A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.
• Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• RRTs at this grade level are responsible for the following under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings.
• RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data.
• 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 through the use of appropriate mechanical means.
• RRTs assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation.
• They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.
• Candidates must have One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level and hold an active license and RRT credential.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
• Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.
• RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings.
• They use data and patient assessment to establish 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.
• RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation.
• They monitor critical systems.
• They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management.
• RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment.
• RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement.

Nice To Haves

• 1-3+ years Experience in acute care settings ICU, ED, or medical surgical units
• Ventilator management experience (invasive and non-invasive)
• ABG (arterial blood gas) sampling and analysis
• Bronchoscopy assistance experience
• BLS, ACLS and PALS certification
• NBRC credentialing as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Responsibilities

• Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments.
• Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen delivery devices, re-breathers and oximetry monitors.
• Performs bedside diagnostic tests to assess the respiratory status of patients.
• Performs Advanced Airway placement of LMA placement or may assist physicians and full performance RRT's in placing more advanced artificial airways into patients as required.
• During cardiac arrests, initiates artificial ventilation using mouth-to-mask techniques or a manual ventilation bag to restore patient's heartbeat and maintain ventilation.
• During transport of patients, maintains clearance of airway, monitors vital signs, and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary.
• Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols, and incentive spirometry, chest physical therapy.
• Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments given, various types of medications used, and the set up and operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautions.
• Calibrates complex respiratory equipment under guidance such as PFT analyzers to assure accurate performance.
• Records treatment, findings and progress pertinent to patient care.
• Ensures that reports and procedures are processed and returned to the requesting physician on a timely basis.
• Ensures that all machines and equipment are in good condition and are in compliance with all safety codes.
• Distribute tanks to various clinical areas as needed.
• Collect empty tanks and return to the designated storage room.
• Daily updates the tank level logs to reflect the number of empty and full tanks in stock.
• Orders and maintains a proper level of supplies.
• Monitor and maintain adequate levels of oxygen tanks in at least the Special Care Unit, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, the medical/surgical wards, Emergency Department and the Nursing Home Care Unit.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Serves as a preceptor to lower graded staff.
• May lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Learn more about federal benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree