Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Pike County, GA

26d • Onsite

About The Position

The Atlanta VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Registered Respiratory Therapist for the Specialty Care Section at the VA Medical Center in Atlanta Georgia - Pike CBOC. The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is a health care professional who utilizes the concepts of respiratory care in the management of patients with suspected or known chronic or acute lung disorders and disorders requiring oxygen supplementation. RRTs perform various diagnostic procedures to determine the cardiopulmonary care needs which are performed on the orders of the primary care or specialist physician.

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.
• 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.
• 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. § 7401(3).
• Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
• Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT.
• Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT.
• 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).
• 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.
• Work is primarily performed in patient care areas, inpatient and outpatient.
• Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (4 hours), pushing (4 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4-8 hours), standing (4-8 hours), kneeling (4 hours), repeated bending (4 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, 20/40 vision in each eye with or without correction, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted).

Nice To Haves

• Registered Pulmonary Fucntion Technologist (RPFT) Experience
• Experience, education, and training that in the pulmonary specialty area.
• Experience that is above and beyond general respiratory care activities to objectively measure the essential tasks required of pulomary technologist.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results.
• Compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for advanced pulmonary function tests (plethysmography, diffusion capacity, esophageal pressure, metabolic testing, and diaphragm stimulation) and be able to recognize normal/abnormal results.
• Compare and evaluate the indications and contraindications for sleep studies.
• Identify and distinguish the indications, contraindications, and general hazards, complications in preparation, performance, and post-care of bronchoscopy procedures.
• Monitor and evaluate the patient's clinical condition with pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram, exhaled gas analysis, and other related diagnostic devices.
• Perform arterial sampling for blood analysis.
• Develop, administer, and re-evaluate patient care plans according to RCD policy.
• Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members.
• Obtain medical, surgical, and family history.
• Obtain social, behavioral, and occupational history, and other historical information incident to the purpose of the current complaint.
• Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means.
• Determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation.
• Monitor critical systems.
• Use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management.
• Suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment.
• Perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement.
• Serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff.
• 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.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

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