Inpatient Registered Respiratory Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist to function in Medicine Service. The position requires completing a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program, possessing an RRT license, and meeting VA basic requirements.

Eligible applicants may be referred while completing requirements. The full performance level is GS-11 with duties including respiratory therapies, airway management, and collaboration with the care team.

Qualifications

• Completed respiratory care program accredited by CoARC or successor.
• Full, current unrestricted license to practice as an RRT.
• U.S. citizenship required for appointment; non-citizens may be considered per VA policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care therapies per physician orders.
• Collaborate with physicians and health-care team to optimize patient outcomes.
• Assess oxygenation and ventilation to guide treatment decisions.
• Perform airway management including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation as needed.

Skills

Therapeutic modalities

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Oxygenation and ventilation assessment

Airway management and ventilation

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

Job description

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

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

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.