This position is in the Surgical Service serving as the Lead Therapist for all Registered Respiratory Therapists. The working Lead Therapist (50% administrative duties) and (50% Clinical Therapy duties) as a Lead Therapist you will mentor staff by providing education and act as a lead therapist by directing respiratory therapist with e-performance, annual skills check, and coordinate activities related to the respiratory care by utilizing excellent time management, communication.

Duties

Major duties, but not limited to: Evaluates and monitors educational compliance for all Respiratory Therapists. Full responsibility for providing support with complex Stat Blood Gas Laboratory, Intensive Care Unit, Wards, ER, but not limited to the areas. Institution and supervision of contingency plans in the event of power and/or oxygen failures, and in the event of disaster such as: hurricanes, fire, or threats to the Medical Center. Maintain Departmental standards with Policies, SOP, and Employees Performance Reviews in accordance with Joint Commission, VHA, and Medical Center Policies and Guidelines. Maintain inventory, order supplies via Logistics and maintain all Quality Assurance checks. Responsible for independently administering respiratory therapy to patients. Conducts Research for new and/or approved concepts for providing improved Respiratory care. The incumbent will set up and monitor respiratory equipment such as mechanical ventilators for critically ill patients. He/she monitors patient closely to avoid incidents and later the plan as necessary. Collects sputum for AFB, performs sputum induction, and prioritizes workload based on patient assessment/needs and protocol. Initially and continually assesses the cardiopulmonary status of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination, respiratory monitoring, and diagnostic equipment. He/she determines the effectiveness and/or need for change of the therapy being administered, Monitors, and interprets values recommendations to physicians regarding complex clinical approach and treatment. Develops care plans for intensive care patients and enforces guidelines of the care plans. Airway management on patients including securing airway, tracheostomy and/or endotracheal tube and monitoring Trach/ET-tube cuff pressures and safety inspection of equipment to ensure proper functioning for patient safety. In cases of cardiac arrest, assist with airway management and institution of mechanical ventilation using manual ventilation to restore patient ventilation and instituting cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocol according to the organization's standards and procedures. He/she must maintain a current BLS and ACLS certification. Draws arterial blood samples from patients through arterial punctures or arterial line. Uses complex equipment to monitor oxygenation and ventilation equipment such as Blood gas analyzers, ET-CO2, and non-invasive oximetry to monitor oxygen saturations. Based upon hemodynamic studies changes he/she makes recommendation/changes in therapeutic modality and approach to the covering physician. Acts as a preceptor in orientation of new Respiratory Therapy employees and provides orientation for other selected personnel to the section. He/she provides in-service training to other Registered Respiratory therapist and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments given, various types of medications used, the setup and operation of respiratory equipment including infection control and safety precautions to follow organizational patient safety goals. Treatment, findings, and progress pertinent to patient care. Participates in the auditing of respiratory care BCMA, and EMR electronic medical record. Delivers respiratory care as needed in the more complex respiratory care procedures and to poor risk patients. Participates in providing care and education to outpatients. Assures quality and performance outcomes are met. He/she monitors and interprets values such as mixed venous, arterial, and venous blood gases for the purpose of reporting patient status and recommends changes in treatment to the physician based on results of studies and physical assessment; and follows respiratory care protocols. Ensures correct use of equipment and helps determine equipment needs as well as troubleshoots equipment; assists in the ordering of supplies and records of supplies to ensure adequate patient care, resources, and smooth and timely operation of the department. Cleans and calibrates respiratory equipment, he/she evaluates new equipment and adjuncts for the delivery of respiratory care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 3:00 pm or compressed schedule 6:30 am - 7:00 pm Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: 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. 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. (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 in (a) (b) (c) (d) and (e): (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. 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. Physical Standards: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Grade Determination Lead RRT GS-12: Must have one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the following clinical competencies: 1. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes; 2. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities; 3. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. (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). Note: Please ensure how you meet these clinical competencies is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience. License/Credential: Must hold an active license and RRT credential. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 1. Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload. 2. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. 3. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. 4. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. 5. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies. Note: Please ensure how you meet these KSAs is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11 Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0601 VHA. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Performs respiratory therapy requiring long periods of standing and walking. Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting to implement procedures are also required. Must be able to meet the physical demands of transportation of respiratory equipment, assembling, and disassembling. The employee must have the ability to lift and reposition patients as indicated for treatment. Creditable Experience: Experience is only creditable if credentialed as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or RRT, the experience is in respiratory care, pulmonary function testing or polysomnography and directly related to the position being filled. To be creditable, the candidate's experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) associated with current practice in paid employment as a CRT or RRT. Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek (e.g., an RRT who worked 20 hours a week would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service). American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC): Professional organization responsible for oversight of the occupation/profession. Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC): The accrediting body for respiratory programs at colleges and universities. National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC): The credentialing body to vet and administer tests and award the credentials to become a CRT and RRT.

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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Jami Arnt
• Phone: (717) 272-6621 X5636
• Email: [email protected]