This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA EDRP program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship- Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. 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). Education Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. AND 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. AND 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. Grade Determinations:GS-12 Experience- Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. GS 11 Assignments. This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new 9 policies, procedures or protocols. AND Hold an active license and RRT credential. AND 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. Preferred Experience: Has maintained a PFT machine according to ATS guidelines and requirements. EKG experience and knows basic rhythm knowledge. Holds a RPFT or CPFT credential. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Work is primarily performed out-patient care areas, but can be both inpatient and outpatient. Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors is involved. It may involve walking, standing, and bending, reaching and stretching to set-up and taking apart equipment, lifting and positioning patient and carrying, pushing or pulling moderate heavy objects (15-44 lbs.).
Develops and implements polices and guidelines, make recommendations about new and emerging modalities, perform complex analytical analysis. Builds clinics, clinical grids, and perform competency checks with staff. Performs arterial blood gases and able to recognize critical results and alert physician and RN within established Laboratory Policy. Assesses patient's respiratory status using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest xrays and electrocardiograms to determine the effectiveness of therapy and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment. Leads in-service respiratory teaching and training, maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility. Assumes responsibilities to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate programs involving respiratory care for the benefit of patients and the other disciplines within the health care facility. Works with telehealth and the CBOC's making sure testing and studies are acceptable. Educates staff and keeps in contact with outreach clinics on new processes and improvements. Creates clinics, grids, consults, and note templates along with closing clinics in a timely manner. Performs competencies with staff to ensure quality of tests. Performs as a team leader and educator to the Inpatient and outpatient RRT Staff. Follows Respiratory Driven Protocols to provide a consistent procedure for respiratory therapists in partnership with physicians to manage invasive mechanical ventilation. Serves as the day-to-day shift leader. Oversees the workflow of the outpatient and inpatient staff and helps where it is needed when issues arise. Ensures work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Provides clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for nonroutine or complex procedures. Assists RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. Sets up, monitoring, and troubleshooting all modalities of home ventilators (invasive and non-invasive) and oxygen delivery systems. Sets up and changes oxygen delivery devices and assures proper delivery of ordered liter flow or concentration. Consults with healthcare team when patient conditions require additional oxygen requirements. Maintains knowledge of respiratory drugs, appropriateness of therapy, patient's response to therapy, adverse drug effects, and proper drug dosage. Follows the National Directive for the Home Oxygen Program and participates in committees associated with the program. Coordinates with Prosthetic Services and Vendor to ensure patient receives appropriate equipment services. Performs oximetry testing, exercise and resting, titrates oxygen liter flow for appropriate saturations and reports in main computer system. Partners/coordinates with VA Contracting Officers as well as external vendors and suppliers of VA services to include home oxygen services. Treats acute complications during pulmonary function testing. Calibrates and troubleshoots pulmonary function testing equipment. Maintains and performs quality controls, biologic testing, and machine maintenance logs according to the ATS standards. Develops and implements policies and guidelines following ATS standards, makes recommendations about new and emerging modalities. Oversees the Cardiac Event Monitor program and reports. Performs Cardiac Monitoring with Zio Patch with proper placement and performs teaching to the patient regarding testing and equipment. Sets up and assists physician in the performance of exercise tolerance tests (Cardiac Stress Tests). Performs pulmonary function testing including routine spirometry, flow volume loop and pre- and post-bronchodilator and diffusion studies. Maintains understanding of the PACT ACT and Burn Pitt Registry and requirements. Performs basic HST and communicates tests to Pulmonary Physician for interpretation. Conducts chart reviews as a member of the RCT team in triaging consults, ordering sleep tests, and utilizing community care resources. Performs instruction for hook up of overnight oximetry testing for patient and/or patient caregiver; downloads data from oximetry, cleans the equipment, interprets oximetry test and reports findings. Sets up PAP therapy on patients, completes the order in the computer system, places supply orders, and performs downloads relaying findings. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:00 am - 4:30 pm flex schedule Telework: Not Authorized Functional Statement #: 55011-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Jillana.Martinez@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized