U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Registered Respiratory Therapist
This job is now closed
Job Description
- Req#: 761315300
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- Education: Must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
- Licensure: Applicants 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: Applicants 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.
The Veterans Affairs Pacific Island Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is a Level 3 facility and ranks among a complex system in the VA serving the Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21). The VAPIHCS offers a full range of comprehensive health care services including Dentistry, Geriatrics & Extended Care, Imaging, Medicine Services, Mental Health Services, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Primary Care, Rehabilitation Services, and Specialty Services.Duties
Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:
The RRT position requires acceptance of work assignments across a broad range of technical and administrative procedures and direct patient care functions within the health care system. The RRT position requires the acceptance of learning new competencies - which requires acceptance of training on new respiratory-related specific equipment, software, treatment methods and protocols.
In addition to the assignments of the full performance level position, the RRT are also responsible for performing home sleep testing, home oxygen evaluations and ordering, patient instruction on sleep disorders and use of therapeutic equipment. Duties include but not limited to:
a. Sets up all modes of positive airway pressure therapy (PAP) devices and related equipment and settings as ordered by a physician.
b. Monitors PAP pressure therapy through physical PAP clinics and wireless download PAP clinics, and documents data using standardized report templates.
c. Provides non-invasive mask (interface) selection and fitting.
d. Issues and educates patients on use of PAP devices and mask interface.
e. Cleans equipment in accordance with protocol and industry standards.
f. Is responsible for initial oxygen assessments and recommending oxygen delivery system equipment as well as setting up, titrating, documenting and monitoring patients receiving oxygen therapy at locations assigned by the service.
g. Is required to do serial assessments and documentation in the medical record for patients on oxygen therapy using standardized templates.
h. Is required to do all types of oxygen assessment consults. Examples of these assessments include but are not limited to; oxygen assessment for long term oxygen therapy, spot checks using pulse oximetry, continuous pulse oximetry readings, and formal six-minute walk tests with oximetry assessments and oxygen titrations.
i. Home site visits to conduct home oxygen therapy surveys.
j. Is responsible for requests for home oxygen set-ups and associated liaison/ administrative workload for Veteran Patients being discharged from Community Hospitals, when the need arises.
k. Sets up, issues and educates patients on use of other respiratory devices that includes but is not limited to; home nebulizers, cough assist device, incentive spirometry, vibratory mucus clearance device, and vest therapies.
l. Provides patient education on inhaler techniques and home nebulizer techniques and associated equipment.
m. Completes all medical record documentation associated with all procedures.
n. Assembles equipment in a manner recommended by the manufacturer.
o. Ensures the equipment is functioning in the appropriate manner prior to patient application.
p. Cleans and handles equipment a manner consistent with manufacture SOP (standard operating procedure).
q. The therapist will work primarily in a typical office, home, or outpatient setting and is designated to travel and conduct the occasional home visit for program quality oversight purposes, and/or other facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc.
r. Travel across the VAPIHCS catchment area, both to CBOCs and patient homes when necessary, to provide clinical respiratory care services and respiratory care oversight, including on Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii (Hilo and Kona), Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
s. All other respiratory duties as assigned based on agency needs.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm with possible Saturday rotation
Telework: Not eligible for Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not requiredRequirements
Qualifications
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:
Grade Determinations:
Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12.
Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:
i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. The following certifications are desirable but not required:
a. CPFT,
b. RPFT or
c. RPSGT.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing.
ii. Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing.
iii. Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing.
iv. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data.
v. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring.
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 are designated for complexity level 3 facilities only. In addition to the assignments of the full performance evel position, incumbents are also responsible for performing home sleep testing, home oxygen evaluations and ordering, patient instruction on sleep disorders and use of therapeutic equipment along with a combination of the duties from the following assignments below as Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary), Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary/ Polysomnography) under paragraphs(6)(a)-(c) and (7). This assignment is not appropriate and cannot be used in facilities designated at complexity level 1 and 2 (see assignments below beginning in paragraphs (6)(a)-(c) and (7) for facilities designated as complexity level 1 and 2).???????
References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), working closely with others, working alone.About the company
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with integrating life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country.