The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio pulmonary needs of the patients served.

Duties

Assigns care areas for staff ensuring adequate coverage for all care areas. Prepares work schedules in a timely manner. Inspects code bags at beginning of shift to ensure equipment is functional and appropriate PPE is available when needed for emergencies. Routinely performs audits of documentation in patient charts for completeness and accuracy. Routinely submits work orders for broken/malfunctioning equipment as appropriate. Validates competencies for staff as appropriate. Checks supply room at beginning of shift for adequate stock levels. Notifies department leadership if items are at a critical par level. Conducts annual performance appraisals for their respective employees. Ensures their employees complete required training (TMS, RQI). Assists their employees as needed for proper care delivery. Provides shift coverage when staffing levels are critical. Area II: Collection of Diagnostic Information A. Pulmonary Function Technology 1. Perform basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results for both inpatients and outpatients. 2. Compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for advanced pulmonary function tests (plethysmography, diffusion capacity, esophageal pressure, metabolic testing, and diaphragm stimulation) and be able to recognize normal/abnormal results. Area III: Disease Management A. Management of Chronic Diseases 1. Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities. 2. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. 3. Assist in developing, administering, and re-evaluation of patient care plans. 4. Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the post-acute care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. B. Management of Acute Diseases 1. Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. 2. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. 3.Assist in developing, administering, and re-evaluation of patient care plans. Area IV: Evidence-Based Medicine and Best Practice Guidelines A. Evidence-Based Medicine 1. Ability to retrieve credible sources of evidence. 2. Applies evidence-based medicine to clinical practice. 3. Explains the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital based respiratory care best practice guidelines. 4. Evaluates and treats patients in a variety of settings, using the appropriate respiratory clinical practice guidelines. Area V: Patient Assessment A. Patient Assessment 1. Completes the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members. 2. Obtains medical, surgical, and family history as appropriate. 3. Obtains social, behavioral, and occupational history, and other historical information incident to the purpose of the current complaint. B. Diagnostic Data 1. Reviews and interprets pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry. 2. Reviews and interprets lung volumes and diffusion studies. 3. Reviews and interprets arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests. C. Physical Examination 1. Inspects the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies. 2. Measures vital signs (pulse oximetry, heart rate, respiratory rate). 3. Evaluates patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles. 4. Measures and documents oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during ambulation, and exercise). Area VI: Leadership A. Knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care B. Ability to communicate orally and in writing at varying levels, both internal and external to the organization C. Skill in communicating data, policies, and regulations. D. Ability to develop resource material. E. Skill in the development of and implementation of appropriate standards of care for Respiratory Care F. Ability to establish a completely integrated program that emulates "best practice" and follows national policies. G. Assists with the development of and regularly reviews policies and procedures; ensures that this department remains in compliance with existing VA policy and regulations and JCAHO standards. H. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of all department activities through standard and innovative techniques. Work Schedule: 2330-0800 Sun-Thu Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following: a. 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. b. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. c. 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. d. 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. (1)Exception. RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below. (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level. (b) RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (e) Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3)the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder. (2)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. e. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. f. 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. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above in paragraph 4 a-g and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment: References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 March 12, 2021 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-13. (a) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must: i. Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. It is highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. (b)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to supervise employees. ii. Ability to assist in establishing a completely integrated program. iii. Skill in recommending improvements to operations, including new and emerging procedures based on evaluation of data. iv. Ability to forecast resource needs and to manage fiscal matters. v. Skill in problem solving including conflict resolution. vi. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying levels of background. vii. Knowledge of complex and non-standard examinations, treatments, procedures and techniques. (c)Assignments. 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. This assignment is designated as an RRT Assistant Chief. They serve as full assistant to a Service Chief in complexity level 1 and 2 facilities. These facilities may offer specialty care and services and may be affiliated with academic institutions. Individuals are typically assigned to this position at moderately to highly complex respiratory care services within the organization. Supervisory RRTs share the full scope of delegated managerial responsibilities and serve as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Chief. They support department functions at the direction of the Chief. They make decisions affecting staff and other resources with wide latitude of control and independent judgment. They independently provide respiratory services at all levels of complexity. They supervise staff members of different levels of assignments and/or occupation. They provide direction of the program services assigned to them including utilization of resources and budget. They may develop and initiate new programs, develop policies, protocols and procedures, assure compliance with regulatory requirements and monitor staff performance. They assist in determining quality assurance and performance data to be collected. Supervisory RRTs maintain established policies, procedures, protocols and quality assurance programs. They participate in the development of a department level plan for financial and personnel resources. They encourage professional development, resolve conflicts which might interfere with the delivery of services, identify continuing education and training needs, create an environment of learning and serve as a mentor to staff. They attend professional meetings and take responsibility for professional development. They collaborate with other healthcare team members to generate new ideas for quality improvement with regards to administration and overall function of the department, patient care and accomplishment of facility goals. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Gary Byles
• Phone: 919-286-0411 X4949
• Email: [email protected]