The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Pulmonary Function Therapist position is a member of the Medical Specialties Service at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. The RRT Specialist is responsible for the care and treatment of patients referred to the Pulmonary Function Lab and may assist with duties related to the Home Oxygen Program, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and Bronchoscopy Suite.

Duties

Performs duties as assigned to include but not limited to: Managing patient databases in compliance with privacy standards and mandates. Independently working to identify and overcome barriers to optimal service delivery that interfere with beneficiaries receiving care within expected time frames, quality, and customer service. Working with support staff to schedule patient visits and coordinating visits with patients, administrative staff, and or clinic assistants. Fielding applicable calls to and from veterans, staff, vendors, etc., for purposes of information sharing, complaint resolution, scheduling/canceling and related topics. Maintaining safe and orderly clinic environment. Assuring cleanliness, maintenance, repairs, inventory control, and successful operation of all assigned equipment and operational supplies. Sharing ideas and concerns regarding the clinic with supervisor. Assisting in home oxygen evaluations and coordinating with the vendor on equipment set-up at home for the patient. Educating patients on the use of oxygen concentrators and oxygen conserving devices. Ordering/providing compressor and supplies necessary for tracheal humidification and medication delivery via tracheostomy. Instructing patients on the proper use of various types of MDI medication. Providing support for Pulmonary Rehabilitation or Bronchoscopy procedures. Providing all of the following testing for patients: Spirometry with and without the use of respiratory pharmacological agents Plethysmography method for Lung Volume Measurement Nitrogen washout method for Lung Volume Measurement Single Breath Diffusion Capacity measurement (DLCO) Draw and process Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Portable Spirometry (inpatient spirometry) Methacholine Challenge Testing Cardiopulmonary Exercise Physiologic Testing (VO2 Max Studies) Bronchial Provocation Testing Pulmonary Shunt Studies Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (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. 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. 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). 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). Grade Determinations: GS-11 level Experience, Licensure, and Credential require that candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active license and RRT credential. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Preferred Experience: CPFT or RPFT credentialed from NBRC References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/141 Transmittal Sheet March 12, 2021 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in all patient care areas (in-patient and outpatient). Respiratory Therapists will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. It may involve walking, standing, and bending, reaching and stretching to set-up and taking apart equipment, lifting, and positioning patient and carrying, pushing or pulling moderate heavy objects (15-44lbs). Respiratory Therapists must have or obtain the ability to handle varying levels of stress in a positive manner.

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 Pittsburgh VA Medical Center 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 US
• Name: Carletta Sligh
• Phone: (412) 822-2185
• Email: [email protected]