Inpatient Registered Respiratory Therapist

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.

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