Registered Respiratory Therapist at Veterans Health Administration

About the role

The Cheyenne VA Health Care System is looking to hire a Registered Respiratory Therapist for the Cheyenne VA Medical Center. Duties: GS-5/7/9 Medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Analyze physiological specimens obtained, including arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End Tidal CO2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry, and other basic diagnostic procedures. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skilled in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform basic airway management, including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. GS-11 Care is to be provided with the therapist able to function independently and make sound decisions relating to respiratory needs of the patient utilizing clinical and laboratory data. Responsible for performing. diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as needed. Monitors complex respiratory equipment such as volume and pressure ventilators for patients who are critically ill. Implement planned weaning and monitor the patient for adequate ventilation during the weaning process. Responsible to make patient assessments of cardiopulmonary status utilizing data obtained through physical examination, laboratory testing, and monitoring various indicators such as oximetry, carbon dioxide, and pulmonary function. Responsible to insure proper airway and tube care for patients in ICU. Must have basic life support training and provide documentation of current certification. Draws arterial blood sample by arterial puncture and/or arterial line withdrawal. Responsible for documenting pertinent information regarding patient care to include ventilator checklists, medications, and progress records, writing verbal/telephone orders for co-signature, department records, and other records as assigned. Coordinates scheduled appointments for inpatients and outpatients with physician and other departments as appropriate. Performs data entry into the computer daily for all procedure done in Cardiopulmonary. Performs oximetry checks per established department protocols for home oxygen patients to assure they re-qualify within the qualifying range required. Participate in cleaning and cold sterilization of some respiratory equipment and will always adhere to all RME and manufacture recommendation on the cleaning process. Performs the following procedures with proficiency and confidence under minimal supervision: Oxygen, aerosol, humidity, and positive pressure breathing therapy. Maintain, adjust, weans and monitors patients on a ventilator. Measuring and charting of tracheal cuff pressures. Transports ventilated patients to radiology and other special procedure areas. Analyzing blood with mechanical arterial blood gas analyzer. Will respond to emergencies, make assessments, and implements proper actions and judgments, and responds to all Code Blue/Medical Emergencies and provides assistance within scope of practice. Performs bedside pulmonary function testing as required. Performs all respiratory therapy tasks using aseptic techniques to provide best care available to the patient. Educate patients in proper methods of breathing devices and use of home oxygen. Ensures operating supplies are readily available for patient care. Works with outpatients to assist them with various devices, such as CPAP/BiPAP, use of home oxygen, etc. Assist with discharge planning of any patient identified to have a need for home respiratory care services. Completes daily encounter information related to capturing daily workloads. Prepares departmental requisitions, charges and other paperwork that pertains to the department. Prepare, maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and perform quality control as well as quality improvement tracking of blood gas analysis. Perform and accepts other duties as assigned. Provides assistance in developing, implementing, evaluating and education regarding Patient Driven Protocols. Updates and maintains policy and procedures manual. Maintain ABG records according to CAP requirements. Participates in Quality Assurance programs for the Cardiopulmonary/Neurology Services as directed by Chief of Cardiopulmonary (CPL) or supervisor. Completes assigned and delegated responsibilities within established time frames. Work Schedule: Intermittent, variable tour of duty, up to 36 hours a week. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Not Virtual Functional Statement #: 61543A, 61544A, 61545A, 61546A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-0601series 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-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. Exception. RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below. (a)VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07level. (b)RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received. (c)RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d)Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year orconverted to a new temporary appointment. (e)Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursuemeeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day oftheir appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from dateof appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and mayresult in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Officestaff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRTcredential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and3)the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline.The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior toentrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic OfficialPersonnel Folder. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-5 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. GS-7 Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. GS-09 Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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. GS-11 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. And Hold an active license and RRT credential. 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: Echo-Tech 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 in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Employee understands they will endure prolonged periods of sitting, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, and stretching. Much of the work is sedentary, but can involve walking, pushing, bending, standing, moderate lifting and carrying light items such as books, papers, files and supplies as needed. The Employee must be able to lift items up to 50Ibs. The employee under 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 identification 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.