The Iowa City Veterans Administration Health Care System (ICVAHCS) Respiratory Therapy Department provides inpatient services to all patient care areas to include ICU, Emergency Department, medical surgical patient care areas and inpatient mental health and provides/supports outpatient services to all outpatient clinics and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Assist with developing routine policies/procedures, monitor quality assurance/performance improvement (to ensure patients receive quality care/testing) specifically examining the appropriateness of care, problem identification/prevention, and cost reduction). Precept respiratory therapy students and other health care personnel regarding respiratory care modalities and treatment. Serves as a mentor to other staff, students, and responsible for performing job duties in accordance with the mission, vision, and values of the Iowa City VA Medical Center. Conducts all phases of service delivery, program resources and fiscal management, performs analytical studies and interpret results to improve operations. Coordinate daily operations, develops, and maintains policies and procedures for program operation and prepares reports and statistics for facility and Veterans Integrated Service Network use. Assists in determining quality and compliance data to be collected and investigates problems related to quality and quantity of work operating effectiveness and recommendations needed action. Responsible for the assessment, development, and implementation of an exercise treatment plan in a telephone based pulmonary rehabilitation program. Provides education to maximize the patient's awareness of the importance of regular exercise, develop specific and individualized exercise programs, educate exercise tolerance, indication/contraindications, safety, and limits as well as monitor the patient's response to exercise. Responsible for screening and enrolling patients into the program, medical history assessment, arranging initial follow up appointments as well as providing delivery of care throughout the twelve-week course, and beyond as indicated. Functions as a member of the Code Blue and Rapid Response Teams and is expected to be proficient in CPR, Emergency Airway Management to include intubation and provide ventilation with use of resuscitation bag. Performs initial patient interview including assessment for admitting diagnosis, present illness and clinical status, current signs and symptoms, past medical history, social history, employment status, risk factors for coronary artery disease and chronic diseases, comorbidities, alcohol or substance abuse. Educates patients on exercise plan, including leading exercise demonstration. Incumbent will make recommendations for appropriate home exercise equipment and provide orientation to exercise equipment including, but not limited to, exercise peddler, heart rate monitor watch, exercise bands and pedometer. Assigns and explains work reequipments relative to respiratory care for new or changed, as well as existing programs, resolves technical work problems, including those not covered by precedents or established policies. Monitors patient use of home equipment and their physical response to exercise, including documentation of adverse events as necessary. Physical response to exercise will include time, heart rate, oxygen saturation, symptoms, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) recorded by patient. Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data and records treatment and progress pertinent to the patient. Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures to include physical assessment, pertinent physical findings (age, height, weight, gender), auscultation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Works effectively with patient/family/team members and other health care providers in meeting patient treatment goals. Responsible for all Pulmonary Rehab administrative duties, including scheduling appointments, comprising of initial patient interview as well as all follow-up appointments to complete the program, as well as completing all encounters, progress notes and consults associated with Pulmonary Rehab program. Performs other duties applicable to the Cardiopulmonary Section, such as basic and advanced therapeutic procedures, emergency, and acute respiratory care procedures for adult and geriatric patients, in accordance with the quality guidelines in the departmental policy and procedure manual. Promotes and participates in patient education by explaining procedures and therapies to the patients and their families. Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care using hospital policies and procedures, including appropriate cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Performs pulmonary diagnostic testing.?????????????? Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm 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

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document. 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. 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). 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. (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. 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 Requirements: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07: Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09: Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11: Experience, Licensure and Credential: 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.

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 Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US
• Name: Kimberly Harvey
• Phone: 208-891-5798
• Email: [email protected]