Inpatient Registered Respiratory Therapist

About the role

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

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).
• Grandfathering Provision: 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). This provision applies to hybrid Title 38 qualification standards. 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 specific reassignment, promotion, and demotion provisions. Employees initially grandfathered who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all basic requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment. If an employee retained under this provision leaves the occupation or VA employment, they lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry.

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all 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:

• 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

Candidates must demonstrate all of 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

Responsibilities

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: