The incumbent will be located at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS).The incumbent reports to the incumbent reports to the Assistant Chief of Respiratory Care Services (RCS) and Chief of Respiratory Care Services along with the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Clinical Director of Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine (DHSM).

Duties

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: 1. Perform the following procedures with proficiency and confidence under minimal supervision: Oxygen, aerosol, humidity, and positive pressure breathing therapy; Implement adult mechanical ventilation using the PB980, HT-1 1000/1200, Astral and other ventilators; Maintain, adjust, and monitor patients on a ventilator; Wean long-term ventilator patients; Performs weaning parameters on patients being weaned off a ventilator( Following the Ventilator Liberation protocol ); Implement Acute and Chronic NIPPV set-up and use(Respironics V60, Home NIPPV devices CPAP, Auto CPAP, BIPAP, Auto Bipap; Implement HHFNC (Heated High Flow Nasal Cannula) therapy. 2. Incumbent will read and review the patient's chart and evaluate physician's orders for respiratory therapy. 3. Position patient and perform chest physiotherapy and postural drainage therapy/positioning, noting effectiveness of therapy or perform Flutter Value 4. Administer aerosolized medications as prescribed in the physician's order while following hospital policy regarding the administration of medication(s) (BCMA). 5. Perform Arterial Blood gas analysis by: Performing an Arterial Blood Gas draw to obtain blood specimen from Radial or Brachial artery; Must have basic understanding of blood gas and acid base interpretation; Consult with superiors and/or physicians on blood gas results and make recommendations for best course of action for the patient. Respond to emergencies, make assessments, and implement proper actions and judgments. 6. Perform bedside pulmonary function testing as required. 7. Assist in and performs minor and preventative maintenance of department equipment, when necessary 8. Prepare departmental requisitions, charges, and other paperwork that pertains to the department. 9. May be called upon to aid in the evaluation of new equipment and supplies. 10. Perform all Respiratory Therapy tasks using aseptic techniques/universal precautions to provide best care available to the patient. 11. Follow department policies and procedures that have been approved and signed by the medical director of respiratory care services here at VHAPORHCS. 12. Assemble, clean, and sterilize equipment, as required. 13. Perform and accept other duties, as assigned. 14. Follows established VAC (Ventilator Associated Complications) and ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) protocols and documents in CPRS/ICIP. 15. Actively participate in daily medicine/surgery rounds and provides recommendations on course of treatment as requested by the doctor. 16. Transport patients as needed to special procedures including but not limited to MRI or CT 17. Communicate with Nurse or Provider when problem arises and tries to work out an amicable solution. 18. Educate patients in proper methods of breathing and proper use of home oxygen if necessary 19. Work with the student(s)for the shift (day/night) and accept responsibility for the supervising work completed by the RT student(s). Direct supervision will be maintained at all times when patient care is being provided by the RT student(s). Staff respiratory therapist's experiencing any issue(s) with the student(s) will directly reported the nature of the identified issue to the supervisor of inpatient respiratory care services. 20. Ensure supplies for set procedures are readily available for patient care. 21. Perform equipment testing using test lung, and oxygen analyzer to determine if there is ventilator failure. 22. Place patient on specialized transport ventilators for MRI procedures. 23. Place patients on NIPPV in accordance with the PVAMC NIPPV P&P. 24. Work in the General Medical, Surgical Wards, the Intensive Care Units, PACU and Emergency Department. 25. Confer with ICU Attendings on specific and unique problems regarding patient's ventilation and offers recommendations 26. Work with outpatients to assist them with various devices to help with their spontaneous ventilation, e.g. use of HME's for outpatients, use of Home Oxygen, use of CPAP/BiPAP, or mechanical ventilator at home. 27. May assist in annual home visits regarding the Home Oxygen program and/or Home Ventilator program. Work Schedule: Variable Shifts Monday-Sunday (6 12-hours & 1 8-hour) between 1700-0530 or 0500-1730 and the depending on the departmental need at time of hire. Compressed/Flexible: Yes Telework: Available; (Not Remote Eligible - On Station Work is Required) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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: See Education Section Below Licensure: See Education Section Below Credential: See Education Section Below English Language Proficiency: See Education Section Below 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). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation. (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (3) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher[1]grade levels. (4) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (6) If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA Grade Determinations: 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: a. Respiratory Therapist. Respiratory Therapist GS-05 positions designated in this qualification standard are developmental positions under the 0601 series and do not have the same requirements as Respiratory Therapists in the 0651 series. The Respiratory Therapist title in this standard may only be used at the GS-05 level while the incumbent is working towards obtaining the RRT registration. b. Registered Respiratory Therapist. Working titles, such as program coordinator, assistant chief, national program manager, etc., may be used at the organizational level to designate the work of the position. c. Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) d. Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) e. Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary/Polysomnography) f. Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist g. Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist GS-05. (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) 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. GS-07. (a) Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. 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. iii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iv. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. v. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. GS-09. (a) Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. GS-11. (a) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. 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 collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Preferred Experience: Registered Respiratory Therapist preferred, 1 year of ICU experience preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 Dated 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 in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements:

Education

Basic Requirements: Continued

• Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the NBRC 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 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 NBRC 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.
• 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).

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 VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Artan Hoxha
• Phone: 5032208262 X58486
• Email: [email protected]