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

Duties

Duties: -Understands etiology, anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of common cardiopulmonary diseases -Knowledge and understanding of cardiopulmonary medications -Knowledge and understanding of medical gas systems, including delivery and troubleshooting of essential oxygen delivery systems -Knowledge of testing procedures including, but not limited to: peak flow, bronchodilator administration, forced vital capacity, arterial blood gases (ABG), chest x-ray and pulse oximetry -Renders treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, develops progressive types of respiratory therapy treatment programs, to include but not limited to: administration of medication, ventilator support, broncho-pulmonary drainage and breathing exercises, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), maintenance of airways, patient/family education - Keeps abreast of current trends in respiratory care and effectively applies that information in practice as well as attends to all required in-services and training sessions, participates in inter-disciplinary meetings, as required, or assigned -Performs routine vital sign measurements, including heart rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, assessment of respiratory pattern and evidence of dyspnea or hypoxemia -Ability to function within the In-patient Respiratory Section of Medicine and provides basic and acute respiratory care in all areas of the hospital, including the critical care units, as prescribed by a provider -Performs a variety of non-routine or specialized respiratory therapy procedures per established policies and practices -Identifies indications, contraindications and hazards including, but not limited to oxygen administration, aerosol administration, pulse oximetry, and ABG puncture -Knowledge of standard respiratory drugs, recommended dosages, and the requirements for administering and storing the drugs -Independently makes recommendations to physicians regarding treatment based on laboratory results, identification of any drug complications or interactions, and the Veteran's response to prescribed treatment -Identifies complications or barriers with any respiratory modalities ordered -Maintains and troubleshoots equipment and reports any equipment issues that cannot be resolved at the user level to the appropriate personnel -Identifies and takes appropriate action when faced with adverse reactions and patient situations that require urgent or emergency management to 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) -Renders cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and intubates when clinically indicated -Ensures that all consults and orders are accurate and completed in a timely manner in accordance with department policy -Correctly identifies and demonstrates ability to don proper personal protective equipment (PPE) -Ensures a safe environment for patients, staff, and families at all times -Participates in departmental and organizational improvement activities -Completes assigned and delegated responsibilities within established time frames -Meets Cleveland VA Health Care System time and attendance standards -Uses resources appropriately to minimize waste -Supports hospital and departmental missions and goals -Works at the full performance level and individuals assigned to this role may function independently -Works under the general supervision and reports to the Chief of Inpatient Respiratory Services -Participate in rotating assignments, holidays, and weekend shifts -Responsible for performing all the functions of their position following department and hospital policies with minimal supervision -Independently plans and carries out the assignments, makes day-to-day decisions using own initiative, and referring most complex problems to the Supervisor. Supervisory controls are general in nature and usually deal with matters related to overall objectives, policies, and operations of the Respiratory Service -Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the VAMC and Respiratory Service missions. Consistently, communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all VAMC staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner Work Schedule: Nights: 6:00pm - 6:30am and 10:00pm - 6:30am, alternating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 93859-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. 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 or in another 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: (1) Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation. (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) 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. (5) 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. (6) 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: GS 11: You must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the following clinical competencies described at that level: Obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriate mechanical means. Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 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: At least 2 years critical care experience 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS 11. Physical Requirements: May require moderate carrying (15-44 lbs.); straight pulling; pushing; reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish shades of color; emotional and mental stability; hearing (aid permitted) The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator equipment.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.

Contacts

• Address VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 10701 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 US
• Name: Anastasia Sears
• Phone: 216-314-9319
• Email: [email protected]