The VISN 2 Upstate Home Oxygen Coordinator is a licensed and Registered Respiratory Therapist responsible for coordinating and overseeing the VISN2 Upstate Home Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy care programs administered by VISN 2 Prosthetics & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). VISN 2 PSAS administers home oxygen and respiratory therapy services annually to over 2,200 patients throughout VISN 2 Upstate.
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. 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. 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 38 U.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-07 level. 5 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. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. English Language Proficiency: Prosthetic Representative must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j. 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active license and RRT credential. The following certifications are desirable but not required: CPFT, RPFT or RPSGT. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing. Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing. Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-13 Experience, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Certification. Candidates must hold a certification from one of the programs they are responsible for overseeing. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in complex respiratory care in all inpatient and outpatient settings. Skill in monitoring production and performance priorities and standards. Ability to develop policies and guidelines. Ability to manage patient care programs to make recommendations to improve patient care and operations. Preferred Experience: Five years of VA Respiratory Therapy Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS12 to GS13. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: This individual will act as a liaison between the patient and/or caregivers, VHA clinicians, private practice physicians, prosthetic, HBPC and pulmonary/respiratory personnel, contracted vendors, equipment manufacturers and all governing bodies as to the administration of this program. Has daily interaction with Prosthetic, Pulmonary and Respiratory personnel which is a combination of level 1 and level 2 VAMC facilities. In establishing this liaison, they are responsible for ensuring an understanding of all program expectations as they relate to: The role and responsibility of the prescribing clinicians. The responsibility of the prosthetic staff in the provision of this service. The patient/caregiver's responsibilities of equipment operation, care and required follow-up outpatient treatment. The vendor responsibility to the patient, VHA in compliance to the contracted services and JC standards. The vendor and the manufacturer of equipment as it may relate to new models, product recalls and preventative care and maintenance of equipment. Medical Center, Network Prosthetics and VISN Quality Management/Performance Improvement Committee requirements. Communication, compliance, and reports to VHA, JC and other governing bodies. The incumbent is responsible for participating regularly in all Network 2 Prosthetic QM/PI Conference calls. They are to participate in the role of a technical expert and when necessary participate in monitoring required indicators or taking result-oriented action in the resolution of problems. They are responsible for conducting home visits to evaluate patient needs and to validate vendor compliance to the contract as a regular part of the VISNs QM/PI program. In addition, the incumbent is to routinely conduct home visits to respond to confirmed patient complaints. The incumbent is responsible to respond to program problems at any Upstate medical centers served by Network Prosthetics. These meetings may be to evaluate faulty equipment, program deficiencies and program non-compliance as it may relate to VISN polices or Joint Commission Accreditation. Handles a variety of complex problems, some of which can be anticipated, but are recurring in nature. Ingenuity and judgment are required to plan work, deal with factors not easily evaluated, interpret results, draw conclusions, and take or recommend action. Solutions to problems often require coordination with other departments. He/she is expected to provide written reports identifying problems and resolutions of the same. This employee will conduct yearly inspections of the contracted vendor's establishment. The inspections will address the vendors Joint Commission program compliance. This will include but not be limited to the inspection of the premises, Department of Transportation (DOD) logs of vehicle used in transporting oxygen, employee education files and the quality management policy, notes, and minutes. The incumbent will regularly assist the Network Prosthetics and VISN Logistics as a technical expert in reviewing any oxygen and respiratory contracts and will act as the COR of the Home oxygen contract. These responsibilities include the following: The incumbent must maintain a current COR certification. Keep accurate and current records for current contract and all contract amendments. Sponsor all new contract RRT employees for their PIV credentials. Maintain contractor employees training and credentials. Responsible to arrange and conduct quarterly VISN 2 home oxygen committee meetings and report minutes to all VISN 2 VAMC's. Instructs and trains all contractor RRTs in use of VISTA and CPRS Systems. Develops curriculum and provides all training materials. Reviews and cosigns contractor RRT clinical notes in CPRS. Prepares detailed contract reports evaluating Upstate home oxygen contract management. Participated in all Joint Commission evaluations for all Upstate VISN VAMC's. Accompany all JC surveyors on clinical patient visits for the Upstate Home Oxygen Program. Utilize clinical expertise and technical knowledge while meeting face to face with JC surveyors. Process's all Home Oxygen consults to assure that the Prescribing physician has filled out the Consult with the appropriate equipment and that the patient meets Home Oxygen Criteria. Responsible for approving all Home Oxygen Upstate Travel requests and ensures patients have adequate equipment for the duration of their travel. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630 Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 11817-F