The Clinical Coordinator of Home Respiratory Care has broad program management responsibilities for multiple duties within the VA Finger Lakes Healthcare system to include home oxygen, home ventilators, non-invasive ventilation, home nebulizers, cough assists, therapy vests, and home tracheostomy care and all other home respiratory care treatment modalities not listed.

Duties

Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: Duties include but are not limited to: The Clinical Coordinator of Home Respiratory Care will ensure that the patient has the right to make informed decisions regarding his/her own care, that there is continuity of care provided by the vendor, that all information concerning the patient is treated confidentially, and that the vendor honors patient rights and informs the patients of their responsibilities, if any, in the care process. Order / coordinate with the vendor, a care plan to ensure the patients travel oxygen needs are met during the duration of his/her travel. Assisting with clinical oversight of the program components, include scheduling and coordination prescription renewal activities. Acts as a preceptor / trainer / educator assisting in the orientation of respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the operation of respiratory therapy services, multiple PAP devices equipment and related therapies, oxygen, ventilators, including necessary cleaning and safety precautions. Presents demonstrations and subsequently observes personnel during performance of these tasks in order to improve technique, standardize processes, and answer questions. Serve as a respiratory consultant / resource for other clinicians, patients or families when the need arises for troubleshooting equipment, education etc. Coordinates with Prosthetic Services and Vendor to ensure patient receives appropriate equipment and services. Communicates with home oxygen vendor as needed to assure patient needs are met. Provides patients with instruction on the use, cleaning, maintenance and safety instruction for home respiratory equipment. Oversees performance, assessment and improvement activities pertaining to all home respiratory care treatment modalities, including all therapeutic equipment and supplies used in their treatment. Communicates clinical competencies associated with VISN program and provides feedback to the RRT Director/Supervisor for annual assessment. Must be able to operate a variety of equipment including: mechanical ventilators, continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP, BiPAP, ASV), Oximeters, etc. Interprets overnight oximetry studies on room air or with varying doses of oxygen to determine the optimal dose of oxygen necessary to prevent arterial oxygen desaturation during sleep. Oversees re-evaluations of need for continued use of home oxygen (other respiratory therapy equipment). This includes a review of any outpatient clinic visits to document the need for oxygen therapy between one to three months after initiation of home oxygen therapy and annually thereafter. Active participant in the Home Respiratory Care Team, conducts regular meetings, contributes ideas, plans, and information to improve services. This involves assisting the team in the development and revision of policies, procedures, competency and safety assessments, quality management, patient Information, documentation, and other areas as necessary. Responds to problem calls from patients or the vendor. Reports formal complaints as needed, to the VISN administrator and Contracting Officer, follows up with performance improvement as needed. Performs quarterly patient home visits if required to observe patient knowledge, safety and compliance with prescription / care plan and assure satisfaction of care and services provided by the VA contracted vendor. Cover for other Respiratory Therapy staff, including the Respiratory Therapy Manager, as needed. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: All applicants must meet the requirements of the position by the time the position closes. To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. 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. 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. 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: 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. Assignments. This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active RRT Credential: The following certifications are preferred but not required: Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certificate issued AARC AE-C awarded by the NAECB COPD Educator course offered by the AARC Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care. Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care. Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff. Ability to manage all aspects of a complex patient care program including day-to-day operation, training program resources and fiscal management. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment is designated as an RRT Program Coordinator, who oversees the administrative and clinical aspects of a major specialty program at complexity level 1 and 2 facilities only. Programs managed may include, but are not limited to; home oxygen, home ventilators, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinic, pulmonary procedure lab, sleep/positive airway pressure (PAP) clinic. RRTs may supervise and administratively manage employees assigned to their program(s) by providing leadership, direction, orientation, in-service training and continuing education programs for assigned staff. They perform analytical studies and interpret results to improve operations. They conduct all phases of service delivery, program resources and fiscal management. RRTs 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. They conduct a variety of audits, including clinical practice audits to evaluate operations and productivity and to ensure appropriate documentation of therapy, procedure, clinical outcomes and patient safety. They assist in determining quality and compliance data to be collected and investigates problems related to quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and recommends needed action. They make recommendations for program improvement and expansion based on research and emerging knowledge. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings. References: VA Handbook, 5005/141, Part 2, Appendix G11The full performance level of this vacancy is at GS-12 level. Physical Requirements: Work will fluctuate from sedentary to moderate physical requirements. Physical demands will include but are not limited to: bending at the waste, reaching above the head, lifting from the knees

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 Bath VA Medical Center 76 Veterans Avenue Bath, NY 14810 US
• Name: Jessica McCann
• Phone: 315-425-4400
• Email: [email protected]