Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Buffalo, NY

5h • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is a respiratory care practitioner who has passed the registry examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Under medical direction, the RRT treats, manages, controls, and evaluates patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. As a member of the medical team, the RRT assesses and treats patients who may be seriously ill and provides around-the-clock care for people with life-threatening conditions.

The RRT reviews, collects, and evaluates clinical data; develops respiratory therapy plans based on patient assessment; and communicates changes, adjustments, and recommendations to other healthcare team members. The role includes educating and training patients, students, and coworkers, performing fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients, and providing emergency and acute respiratory therapy in accordance with hospital and department guidelines. The RRT also participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide performance improvement activities.

This is a developmental position with selection possible from GS-7 through GS-11; the full performance level is GS-11. Duties and degree of independence vary by grade. At the full performance level, RRTs work independently in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, develop and implement complex respiratory care plans, manage airways and ventilation, monitor critical systems, provide advanced respiratory interventions and outpatient services, and may precept lower-graded staff or lead policy, procedure, or protocol projects.

The work schedule is 1:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, with possible rotation to 10:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, weekends, and holidays. The employee may be mandated to cover a call-off on the next shift or tour. Compressed scheduling is available; telework and virtual work are not available. Physical demands range from sedentary to moderate and include bending, reaching overhead, lifting less than 10 pounds from the knees, and pushing or pulling less than 25 pounds.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by CoARC or its successor.
• A full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, maintained for the duration of employment.
• A valid, current, unrestricted Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, maintained for the duration of employment.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English for direct patient-care work.
• For GS-07: RRT credential and the required demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in respiratory therapeutic modalities; analysis of physiological specimens and basic diagnostic procedures; consultation and collaboration; assessment of oxygenation and ventilation; and basic airway management, artificial airways, and mechanical ventilation.
• For GS-09: One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07 demonstrating the required clinical competencies, or a Master of Science degree in respiratory care, plus a license and RRT credential. Candidates must demonstrate the required skills in therapeutic modalities, collaborative consultation, assessment of oxygenation and ventilation, and airway management including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• For GS-11: One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09, an active license and RRT credential, and demonstrated ability to consult on complex respiratory care, evaluate therapeutic modalities, and perform advanced airway and ventilation management.
• Meet applicable VA physical standards and pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Meet applicable pre-employment screening and onboarding conditions, including urinalysis for applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and required identification and application documentation.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Review, collect, and evaluate relevant clinical data.
• Formulate respiratory therapy plans based on patient assessments and use appropriate measuring and monitoring tools to guide care.
• Communicate changes, adjustments, and recommendations orally and in writing to healthcare team members.
• Educate and train patients, students, and coworkers as appropriate.
• Perform fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients.
• Perform emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines.
• Participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide performance improvement activities.
• Assess patients through direct contact, chart review, and other appropriate means and share findings with the healthcare team.
• Obtain, analyze, interpret, and report arterial and venous blood gas samples and other physiological data.
• Perform airway management, suctioning, ventilation, and related respiratory care, including management of artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• Provide respiratory care in inpatient and outpatient settings, including PAP therapy, oxygen therapy, COPD care, and, at applicable grades, home ventilator services.
• Consult and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to support quality care and favorable patient outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate respiratory care plans and therapeutic interventions, including advanced procedures and ventilation modalities at the full performance level.
• Monitor critical systems and suggest alternative treatment modes based on patient assessment and response to treatment.
• Serve as a preceptor to lower-graded staff and potentially lead projects to develop policies, procedures, or protocols.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to employees and their families; eligibility depends on position type. Specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

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