Clarification from the agency

Current, Permanent VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System Employees Only NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major Duties:

Clinical Competence

• Maintains the RPSGT or SDS credential.
• Demonstrated skill in performing and analyzing diagnostic and complex polysomnography studies, including preparing, analyzing and interpreting data from sleep and positive airway monitoring platforms.
• Knowledge and ability to perform EEG monitoring, EtCO2 monitoring, ASV/AVAPS titration, Inspire and other pertinent job competencies and functions.
• Demonstrated skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnography lab equipment and positive pressure airway devices.
• Skill in training and competency verification of both RRTs and MITs assigned to the Outpatient RT Clinics and Sleep Laboratories.
• Skill in maintaining Sleep Lab records and reports.
• Assists with the development of operating procedures and competency testing related to procedures performed in the Sleep Laboratories and PAP Clinics.
• Proactively anticipates patient and/or lab issues and takes steps to mitigate problems.
• Organizes day-to-day laboratory functions, including equipment, supplies, MIT staff assignments and training.
• Reviews staff work for training and consistency oversight.
• Shares responsibility for administrative oversight in the absence of the Supervisor, Outpatient Respiratory Therapy/Polysomnography, with the RRT Lead, PAP Clinics/Sleep.
• Assists the Supervisor, Outpatient Respiratory Therapy/Polysomnography with performance improvement projects, as requested.
• Effectively identifies and takes appropriate actions when faced with adverse clinical situations requiring urgent/emergent management.
• Other duties within the scope of the RRT/RPSGT's practice and licensure.

Communication/Documentation

• Communicates effectively, respectfully and professionally with patients, families, caregivers, coworkers, other healthcare providers, and other staff to provide exemplary care and customer service.
• Collaborates with patients, families, caregivers and other members of the healthcare team to facilitate patient care, testing and appointment needs.
• Completely and accurately documents testing, treatment and interventions, including patient assessments, response to treatment, equipment/supplies issued, education completed and recommendations or follow-up in the patient's medical record, ensuring teach-back of critical information. Identifies appropriate personnel to notify in patient records via co-signature option, as appropriate.
• Ensures that complications or undesirable responses to treatments/interventions/testing are clearly documented, with notification to patient's provider, when appropriate.
• Enters patient safety reports and completes department tracking logs, as needed.
• Ensures orders are completed in a timely manner in accordance with established department, Service, Medical Center and VISN policies or directives, as measured by audit.
• Responds to secure messages and/or voicemails accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensures leave requests are entered in a timely manner in accordance with established hospital and Medical Center guidelines.

Education

• Provides patient education pertinent to the area(s) to which the incumbent is assigned, including the risks/hazards of any testing performed, indications/care & maintenance of issued equipment and supplies, ensuring patient understanding as evidenced by adequate teach-back of critical information.
• Keeps abreast of current trends in Respiratory Therapy and Sleep Disorders and applies new information to practice.
• Completes all self-paced learning sessions (i.e.: TMS) in a timely manner and in accordance with department and Medical Center guidelines.
• Attends mandatory in-services, meetings and training sessions, in accordance with department guidelines.

Health & Occupational Safety

• Demonstrates knowledge of critical information related to oxygen (and other medical gases, as appropriate) use, safety, and storage.
• Correctly identifies what PPE is required based on isolation precautions.
• Correctly dons and doffs PPE in accordance with established Infection Control procedures and guidance.
• Ensures a safe patient environment at all times.
• Notifies environmental services when in need of cleaning or when additional services are required.
• Enters work orders for all items requiring Engineering assistance.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 95336-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• 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.

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: Must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor.
• Licensure: Must possess and maintain a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• Certification: Must possess and maintain a valid, current, unrestricted credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized 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).

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-12, Required Experience: You must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level including but not limited to: Works independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. Uses data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. Consults with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. Manages and maintains the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. Determines and implements complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. Monitors critical systems. Uses advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. Suggests alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. May perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. Serves as a preceptor to lower graded staff. Leads projects developing new 9 policies, procedures or protocols. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
• Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
• Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution.
• Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions.
• Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies.

Preferred Experience:

• Maintains RPSGT or SDS credential

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-12.

Physical Requirements: Considerable walking/standing may be required. Frequent lifting, positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when moving equipment or supplies or other infrequent needs. Frequent, prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required. Manual dexterity and mobility are required. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, or crouching may be necessary. Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds) may be occasionally required. Intermittent exertion is possible. Subject to interruptions and stress from multiple calls, patient needs and/or inquiries from others, whether in-person, on the telephone or via computer. Sound judgement and ability to function under stress is required. Inappropriate actions/judgment, especially those during emergency or crisis situations, may result in injury or death.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.