Pulmonary services are under the Primary Care & Specialty Medicine Integrated Care Community (ICC) at the Fargo VA HCS. The Respiratory Therapist contributes to Patient Centered Care strategies and they plan, organize and coordinate clinical outpatient services and assist the Supervisor with process improvement and quality improvement ideas.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Major Duties: Follows C.A.P. /The Joint Commission protocol and guidelines in all laboratory activities to include creating and modifying blood gas laboratory policy and procedures to meet The Joint Commission and C.A.P standards and accreditation. Completes all routine maintenance in the blood gas laboratory and associated documentation including review of quality control materials and corrective action documentation and daily blood gas logs. Reviews/correction of daily group data received. Completes query for monthly data reports. Runs monthly QC reports and review. Performs all aspects of inventory maintenance and improvement for the blood gas laboratory. Oversees the work of ABG machine Super-Users and provides guidance as needed. Keeps the supervisor appraised of staff performance and is responsible for overseeing all competencies required of pulmonary and respiratory therapy staff related to the blood gas laboratory including orientation of new employees to the blood gas laboratory. Oversees the quality of all procedures performed. Collaborates with lab personnel on shared responsibilities such as program coordination and accession reports. Works closely with the Pulmonologist regarding processes when diagnostic abnormalities are identified. Works collaboratively with Compensation and Pension and Multidisciplinary Clinic. Responsible for the evaluation of the VISN wide ABG machine rental equipment and adding input on VISN calls and contracts related to the rental equipment. Reviews all Telespirometry CBOC testing including pushing the image to CPRS for interpretation. Developing and implementing new policies and procedures jointly with Laboratory Services. Collaborating with facilities within the VISN as needed to streamline care. Writing new and updating current policies and procedures to align with ATS standards. Provides subject matter expert training as new programs are implemented Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. 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. 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. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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. 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-12, Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary): Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: a. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. b. Hold an active license and RRT credential. AND Certification. Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing, exercise testing, metabolic testing, bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing. b. Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab. c. Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures. d. Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. e. Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. f. Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures. g. Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures. Preferred Experience: Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT), Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT). References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11. REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, GS-0601 Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Fargo VA Medical Center 2101 Elm Street Fargo, ND 58102 US
• Name: Jessica Echlin
• Phone: 651-405-5661
• Email: [email protected]