This position is located at the Boise VA Sleep lab. The lead therapist for the sleep lab works under the general supervisions of the Sleep Lab Supervisor as well as the Medical Director of the sleep program. Duties may include setting veterans up on CPAP either individually or in group settings. The lead therapist would be the main contact within the sleep lab for all DME equipment issued by the CPAP coordinators at the VA as well as overseeing CPAP compliance.
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: 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. 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. 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). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time. Grade Determinations: Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must: i. Have one 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. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of theworkload. ii. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. iii. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. iv. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. v. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies Preferred Experience: RRT Credentials with a background in DME/providing PAP therapy to patients. Knowledge of sleep study processes a plus. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
The major functions of the Lead RRT include but are not limited to: A. Creating staff schedules B. Assuming the role of the sleep lab supervisor when the sleep lab supervisor is not available. C. The Lead sleep RT must have knowledge in sleep medicine and sleep lab procedures with proficiency in patient care. D. Assist with the set up and management of durable medical equipment with CPAP coordinators. E. Participates in the new development of new procedures and assists and reviews existing procedures, updating them in accordance with new equipment and clinical practice. F. Proficient in the use of CPAP, Bi-level, ASV as well as IVAP/AVAPS. G. Works with logistics to insure equipment is readily available H. Provide guidance for CPAP coordinators and RPSGT's for the issuance of PAP devices. I. Assess quality of care according the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Guidelines. J. Registered with the NBRC. K. Maintain BLS certification. L. Ability to work side by side with staff Pulmonologists as well as the Pulmonary Physicians Assistants, and other medical professionals in the Boise VA Medical Center. M. Maintain a safe work environment. N. Ability to help if needed in other departments within the sleep lab such as, CPAP coordinators, CPAP clinic, CPAP compliance, overnight oximetry studies. O. Keeps up to date on changes of sleep medicine by regularly attending courses related to sleep medicine with the ability to adapt to future technological changes and continue educational development. P. Coordinate PAP setups for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized