The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) -Pulmonary incumbent displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in all Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Services at the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, FL. The services are performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), American Association for Respiratory Care (MRC), and policies/procedures of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System and C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center.
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. Please check that your program is verified on the CoARC website as this will be verified. Transcripts are required to be submitted. Licensure-Document Supplied. 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). GRADE REQUIREMENTS for Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) GS-12. Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must possess: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. 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. Knowledge, skills, and abilities at the GS-11 grade level include: 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. Hold an active license and RRT credential with Certification as as Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) -OR- as as Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing, exercise testing, metabolic testing, bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing. Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab. Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures. Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures. Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. RRTs at this grade level in this position compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for complex pulmonary function testing (PFT) and recognizes normal/abnormal results. They perform bronchoprovocation testing utilizing a variety of medications or methodologies. They monitor patients and recognize and initiate interventions for complications of testing. They perform an initial quality review of test results and ready them for physician interpretation and determine whether the patient meets the criteria for termination of testing. RRTs conduct quality control reviews of all tests performed and all pulmonary diagnostic equipment. They maintain lab records. They train and assess staff competencies in performing simple spirometry. Preferred Experience: Experience in home oxygen and PFT. 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: Moving equipment and supplies, lifting, bending, stooping, and possible exposure to body fluid is involved. Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over. Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, Pushing, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers/ Both hands required, Walking/ Standing /Kneeling, - Repeated bending, Climbing, legs only Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, and Hearing without aid.
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) is responsible for providing all modalities of direct patient respiratory care as outlined in the Respiratory Therapy Policy and Procedure Manual and performing job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. Duties may include but are not limited to: Ensures that the Pulmonary Function laboratory meets all JCAHO and regulatory guidelines. Calibrates Body Plethysmograph and Viaysis systems to perform a Full Set of Pulmonary Function Tests. Ensures that the system passed calibrations. Set-up the Viaysis Comprehensive Pulmonary Lab and Sensormedics VMax Plethysmograph systems to perform a full complement of Pulmonary Function Tests. This includes filter, hoses, and printer set-up. Perform a complete set of Pulmonary Function Tests on patients; these tests include: Spirometry Before and After Bronchodilator, Lung Volume Determinations, Diffusing Capacity Determination, Slow Vital Capacity measurement, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation, and measurement of Airway Resistance and Conductance. Performs Methacholine Challenge Tests {pharmcological induced asthma testing) and work with ordering physician to coordinate date of testing. Make data available for physician interpretation. Performs Pulmonary Exercise Stress Testing and exercise induced asthma testing. Completes data analysis post exercise. Perform routine maintenance on Arterial Blood gas analyzer. Ensure that automatic calibration of Arterial Blood Gas equipment has been performed and that QA measurements on this instrument are acceptable as per laboratory policy. Draws Arterial Blood Gases to determine pH, pCO2, pO2. This procedure should be followed as per departmental policy and all safety concerns for the patient taken into consideration. Analyze Arterial Blood specimen using the ABL blood gas analyzer and ensure that blood gas results are electronically transmitted to patient's CPRS chart. Provides supplemental oxygen (bag-mask ventilation, non-rebreather mask, venti-mask, simple mask, nasal cannula) when required in the PFT laboratory. Completes Home Oxygen Evaluations. Perform Respiratory Therapy procedures and demonstrates proficiency in the use of Oxygen concentrators, Oxygen conserving devices and pulse oximeters. Perform nebulizer and MDI medication administration. Performs routine electrocardiograms. Instruct patients on the proper use of various types of MDI medication. Identify operating supplies for the Plethysmograph and Pulmonary Function procedures and submit list to supervisor for ordering of these supplies. When not performing testing, enter patient test results in CPRS and in the general cleaning and supply organization of the Laboratory. Assist in identifying changes to departmental policy to be current and in compliance with VA Directives. Changes all breathing hoses and wipes down equipment prior to patient testing and immediately after testing ensuring that new filter is employed on every patient that gets tested. Patient setup, calibration, and acquisition performance verification of BIPAP and CPAP devices. Patient setup, calibration and download of Home Sleep studies and overnight oximeters. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD21913F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized