This position is located within the Specialty Care Service of the Orlando VA Healthcare System and it is above full performance level, advanced assignment. The incumbent will serve as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (Program Coordinator-Home Oxygen). The RRT/Home Oxygen Coordinator plans both clinical and administrative work to achieve goals within the home oxygen program.
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. Must be US Citizen. 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 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor is required. If your school program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, or has changed names, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating. Licensure. A full, current and unrestricted license from an state to practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is required. Credential. A valid, current, unrestricted credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is required. Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care. Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. 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 following clinical competencies: ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes; manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means; determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation; use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management; perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; These are the KSA's for this position and grade level: Ability to develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care. Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care. Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff. Ability to manage all aspects of a complex patient care program including day-to-day operation, training program resources and fiscal management. Reference. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0601-RegisteredRespiratoryTherapist.pdf. Preferred Certifications. Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certificate issued AARC AE-C awarded by the NAECB COPD Educator course offered by the AARC Physical Requirements. The work requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The therapist must frequently bend, reach, stoop, and stretch to set up and take apart respiratory equipment, position patients, push/pull moderately heavy objects such as mechanical ventilators. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures. Ability to drive/operate government vehicle.
The RRT/Home Oxygen Coordinator plans both clinical and administrative work to achieve goals within the home oxygen program. They recommend organizational changes within allowable costs and policies to enhance care efficiency. Recognizing staff respiratory therapists' needs, they autonomously recommend plans to meet operational needs within the home oxygen program and manage all aspects of the program across various VA sites. Other duties and functions include but are not limited to: Provide clinical information for prescribing providers, ensures that patients receive education on the use of home oxygen by clinical staff or contracted vendors, and follows up with new patients within three months to confirm continued adherence to criteria for home oxygen therapy. Document adverse events in the electronic health record, report incidents to the VA medical facility Director and Patient Safety Manager and participate in local and VISN Home Oxygen Committees. Monitor the home oxygen program, ensures timely and effective care, communicates concerns, and conducts quality assurance activities. Provide coordinated care for traveling veterans, alert vendors about high-risk patients, and recommend enhancements in services and equipment quality. Participate in organizational committees, develop and update policies, and engage in performance improvement and research initiatives. Responsibilities extend to outpatient respiratory programs, maintaining an arterial blood gas program, and coordinating with VA prosthetics and other providers. Handle various respiratory-related procedures, reviews records to control costs, and coordinates home mechanical ventilation care. Explain work requirements, resolve technical problems, update guidelines and policies, and keep higher management informed of urgent issues. Contribute to employee selection and planning educational programs. Audit the home oxygen program, proposes improvements, and may partake in approved research activities. Monitor home oxygen consultants for clinical compliance as per VHA Directive 1173.13. Perform analytical studies and interpret results to improve operations. Conduct all phases of service delivery, program resources and fiscal management. Coordinate daily operations, develop and maintain policies and procedures for program operation and prepare reports and statistics for facility and Veterans Integrated Service Network use. Conduct a variety of audits, including clinical practice audits to evaluate operations and productivity and to ensure appropriate documentation of therapy, procedure, clinical outcomes and patient safety. Assist in determining quality and compliance data to be collected and investigate problems related to quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and recommend needed action. Make recommendations for program improvement and expansion based on research and emerging knowledge. Provide clinical information for prescribing providers, ensures that patients receive education on the use of home oxygen by clinical staff or contracted vendors, and follows up with new patients within three months to confirm continued adherence to criteria for home oxygen therapy. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 81943F / Registered Respiratory Therapist (Program Coordinator-Home Oxygen) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized