Inpatient Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Registered Respiratory Therapist. The Registered Respiratory Therapist will function in Medicine Service.

Duties

The incumbent demonstrates the proficiency and capacity required to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. The duties include but are not limited to: Cardiopulmonary Disease & Diagnostics: a) Understands etiology, anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of common cardiopulmonary diseases. b) Familiarity and understanding of cardiopulmonary medications. c) Understanding of medical gas systems, including delivery, and troubleshooting of essential oxygen delivery systems. d) Comprehension of testing procedures utilized in the diagnosis and management of cardiopulmonary disease, including, but not limited to peak flow, bronchodilator administration, forced vital capacity, arterial blood gases (ABG), chest x-ray and pulse oximetry. Clinical Competence: a) Identifies important information to be obtained prior to performing any respiratory modalities. b) Renders treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of respiratory therapy treatment programs c) Demonstrates ability to perform routine vital sign measurements, including heart rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, assessment of respiratory pattern and evidence of dyspnea or hypoxemia. d) Identifies indications, contraindications and hazards associated with procedures routinely performed in the in-patient respiratory setting including, but not limited to oxygen administration, aerosol administration, pulse oximetry, and ABG puncture. f) Independently makes recommendations to physicians regarding alternatives or modifications to treatment based on laboratory results, identification of any drug complications or interactions, and the Veteran's response to prescribed treatment. g) Identification of complications or barriers with any respiratory modalities ordered. h) Maintains and troubleshoots equipment, including, but not limited to: Ventilators, BiPAP/CPAP machines, oxygen systems and computer systems. Reports any equipment issues that cannot be resolved at the user level to the appropriate personnel. Clinical Practice-Emergency Care: a) Effectively identifies and takes appropriate action when faced with adverse reactions and patient situations that require urgent or emergency management, including, but not limited to: falls, fainting, acute change in mental status, acute change in HR, RR, or blood pressure, extreme shortness of breath, hypoxia, chest pain, cardiac and/or respiratory arrest (CODE BLUE/RAPID RESPONSES) b) Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation c) Intubates when clinically indicated. Communication/Documentation: a) Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, families, coworkers, and other staff to provide exemplary care and service. b) Provides accurate, legible, and complete documentation of patient care in the CPRS system and BCMA medication delivery system. c) All paper documentation must be legible and include the patient's name and identifiable patient information. d) Ensures that all consults and orders are accurate and completed in a timely manner in accordance with department policy. e) Ensures that complications or undesirable responses to treatment are clearly documented with proper notification of the patient's provider. Education: a) Provides patient education related to the respiratory modality. b) Keeps abreast of current trends in respiratory care and effectively applies that information in practice. c) Attends all required in-services and training sessions. d) Participates in inter-disciplinary meetings, as required, or assigned. Health & Occupational Safety: a) Demonstrates familiarity of critical information related to medical gas systems, including hazards and risks associated with their use and storage. b) Correctly identifies and demonstrates ability to don proper personal protective equipment (PPE) specific to modality given. c) Always ensures a safe patient environment. This includes but is not limited to keeping patient care areas clean, organized, and free from trip hazards. d) Notifies environmental services when in need of additional cleaning or services, particularly those related to safety, such as spills, full Sharps containers, etc. Organizational Stewardship: a) Plans, provides, and maintains a safe environment for patients, staff, and families. b) Participates in departmental and organizational improvement activities c) Completes assigned and delegated responsibilities within established time frames. d) Meets Cleveland VA Health Care System time and attendance standards. f) Supports hospital and departmental missions and goals Work Schedule: 6:00pm to 6:30am. Incumbent will work 6-12 hour shifts and 1-8 hour shift every two weeks with alternating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 95397A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements

You 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 dentification 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. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. 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). Grandfathering Provision: This grandfathering policy applies to hybrid Title 38 qualification standards, as applicable to the occupation. Employees serving in VHA on the effective date who perform duties covered by this standard are considered qualified for their current grade, including required education, credentials, and certifications. Employees who do not meet current basic requirements but were qualified when appointed are covered by the following provisions: 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 for employment in the above paragraph, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Experience: Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Clinical competencies include: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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 Experience: ICU/critical care experience within the last 2 years Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: May require moderate carrying (15-44 lbs.); Requires pulling, pushing, reaching, fingering, use of both hands, walking, prolonged standing, frequent bending, and rapid mental and muscular coordination. Duties include setting up and dismantling respiratory equipment and moving heavy oxygen tanks or ventilators. Color vision, emotional and mental stability, and adequate hearing (hearing aids permitted) are required.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Areas of Consideration - Preference veterans will receive first consideration and will be referred in the following order: CPS/CP: A veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent. XP: A veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs but does not qualify as a CP or CPS; or is a purple heart recipient. TP: 5-point preference based on eligible active-duty service. SSP (Sole Survivorship Preference): Discharged from active duty from the armed forces, after August 29, 2008, by reason of a "sole survivorship discharge." All other qualified US citizens. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Other Information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.