Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Kings, NY

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) provides respiratory care in outpatient and inpatient settings at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center in Kings, New York, as part of Nursing, Ambulatory Care Service. Outpatient services include positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy, and COPD care. The therapist independently administers complex treatments, assesses patients, selects appropriate procedures and equipment, and evaluates patients’ responses and treatment outcomes.

The position is full-time, with a schedule of 3:30 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Sunday, including rotating weekends and holidays. Telework is unavailable, and this is not a virtual position. The full performance level and actual grade for the vacancy are GS-11.

The position requires completion of a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program, an active, full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice as an RRT, and a valid, current, unrestricted RRT credential. Candidates must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09 and demonstrate the specified clinical competencies and knowledge, skills, and abilities. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, proficient in spoken and written English, and able to meet the applicable physical, security, health, and onboarding requirements. Selected applicants serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• 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.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level, with the clinical competencies required at that level.
• Ability to consult collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals on complex respiratory care and develop care plans.
• Skill in evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic modalities.
• Skill in advanced airway and ventilation management.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to pass the required pre-employment physical examination or health assessment and background/security investigation.
• Compliance with pre-employment drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, onboarding requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Ability to complete the required one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with intubation.

Responsibilities

• Independently administer complex respiratory therapy to ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients, selecting procedures, equipment, and techniques appropriate to each case.
• Assess patients’ cardiopulmonary conditions initially and continuously using physical examination, monitoring, and diagnostic data.
• Clean, set up, and monitor complex respiratory equipment, including oxygen equipment, mechanical ventilators, CPAP/BIPAP machines, and therapeutic gas administration apparatus.
• Follow respiratory care protocols, including sputum collection for acid-fast bacilli, Rapid Response Team, ventilator weaning, bronchodilator therapy, and oxygen protocols.
• Perform diagnostic tests, including arterial blood gas analysis, spirometry, pulse oximetry, weaning parameters, peak flow, end-tidal CO2, metabolic testing, and negative inspiratory force.
• Perform or assist with bedside bronchoscopies, including right BALs, as ordered by a pulmonary physician.
• Perform respiratory care procedures throughout the medical center, including sputum collection, therapeutic aerosols, metered-dose inhalers, oxygen therapy, chest physical therapy, and breathing exercises.
• Evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic modalities and suggest alternate modes of treatment when indicated by patient assessment and response.
• Administer oxygen using low-flow and high-flow respiratory equipment.
• Perform airway and tube care, including nasotracheal and endotracheal suctioning, care and securing of tracheostomy and endotracheal tubes and sites, and tube changes per physician order.
• Consult respiratory care literature regularly to stay current on alternative therapy modes and technical practice.
• Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop respiratory care plans and support favorable patient outcomes.
• Manage and maintain patient airways and ventilation using appropriate mechanical means, including advanced modes of ventilation.
• Serve as a preceptor to lower-graded staff and, as assigned, lead projects to develop policies, procedures, or protocols.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits eligibility and details depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed