The New Jersey Healthcare System is currently recruiting for 1 Registered Respiratory for the Respiratory Care Unit of the Pulmonary Medicine Section of Medical Service. The Registered Respiratory Therapist is a respiratory care practitioner who has passed the registry exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and who is employed under medical direction of the Chief of Respiratory Care. 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. Basic Requirements: All applicants must possess: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. ? 7407(a) for more information. 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). Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Physical Demands: Work will fluctuate from sedentary to moderate physical requirements. Physical demands will include but are not limited to bending at the waste, reaching above the head, lifting from the knees <10lbs, pushing and pulling > 25lbs. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office, clinic, and inpatient setting. Office/clinic setting normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lit, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Inpatient environment is adequately lit, heated and ventilated. Personal Protective Equipment will be worn according to any precautions posted. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure. 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. Credential. 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: Grandfathering Provision. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. ? 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) defined in the specific assignment below: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07. Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to basic requirements, must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to requirements above, must have 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. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09. Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. In addition to basic requirements, 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. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to requirements above, must have 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. Registered Respiratory Therapist,GS-11. Experience, Licensure and Credential. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to requirements above, must have 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. Preferred Qualification: In addition to all requirements listed above, the following are preferred qualifications: Pulmonary Function testing experience. PFT credentials are highly preferred (CPFT and/or RPFT Certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)). Must submit proof of certification at the time of application. 3 -5 years of Critical Care experience. Long term Care experience. Intubation experience. ACLS certification. Valid, unexpired Driver's License, in order to respond to cardiac arrest and other emergency calls. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11, dated March 12, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which someone may get selected is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. ["The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and performs, within his/her scope of practice, diagnostic evaluations and engages in the teaching and treatment of patients including the most unusual and difficult cases requiring the highest levels of expertise and professional skills. The services are performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and policies and procedures of the New Jersey Health Care System. The protocol and procedures are established for the treatment, management, evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. This is the full performance level for the Registered Respiratory Therapist. Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves in a critical care setting with responsibility for independently administering a variety of complex treatments and tests to both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. During emergency situations, the RT serves as a member of the Code Blue team in response to Cardiac and/or Respiratory arrests and is responsible independently inserting artificial airways into patient's trachea. Setup and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume or pressure ventilators for critical care patients. Initially and continuously assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients. Determines the effectiveness of the therapy being administered, communicates with physician, and suggests alternate modes of treatment. Performs airway and endo-tracheal tube care on patients with artificial airways, including cleaning and securing the trach and endotracheal tube site, in-line suctioning, monitoring tube cuff pressure and inspecting equipment and patient to insure proper function. Perform chest physiotherapy using mechanical equipment or manual techniques. Performs postural drainage to facilitate the removal of secretions. Sets up and monitors oxygen delivery devices such as cannulas, masks, t-adaptors, face tents, humidifiers and aerosols containing prescribed medication to patients using standard respiratory equipment. Skilled in assessment of oxygenation. Demonstrates competency for obtaining arterial blood gas samples from patient using ABG kit, heparinized needle with syringe, and from Arterial Line. During transport of patients with artificial airways, maintain the patient's airway, ensure ventilation, monitor respiration and oxygen saturation, and performs manual ventilations or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation when necessary as per AHA guidelines. Perform patient clinical assessment, equipment setup, education and troubleshooting in areas of bronchial hygiene and lung expansion, home oxygen use, airway care, CPAP and Bi-Level machine and related equipment use, and COPD case management in the outpatient setting. Will demonstrate the ability to utilize computer-based technologies, software and programs. Documents treatments, pre and post assessment and results. Completes patient care as ordered in Respiratory Consult. Attends and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings where the overall needs of the patient are addressed. Communicates orally and in writing changes, adjustments, and recommendations. Provides inter- and intra-disciplinary in-services to other health care providers and students. Assists in orientation and training of new staff. Serve as a preceptor and monitors lower graded staff. Plan and conduct training sessions with hospital staff, patients, and family members. Assists in implementing solutions to technical and clinical work problems not covered by precedent or established procedures. Research and recommend based on the most current data for best practice. Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs and evaluation of existing programs, lead projects developing new policies, works on the Root Cause Analysis team. Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment. Maintains supplies, equipment, and clinical areas. May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent service/section on medical center, network, or national committees. May assist with the equipment set-up and bronchoscopy procedure Performs Pulmonary function tests. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Shift hours, 3:30 PM - 12 Midnight. Telework: Not Available Travel: Less than 50% (Between East Orange, NJ facility and Lyons, NJ facility) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:21P29-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
