This position is located in the Medicine Service at the VA Medical Center Fayetteville, NC. The Lead, Registered Respiratory Therapist works independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The Respiratory Therapist is under the technical and administrative supervision of the Chief Respiratory Therapist in the Respiratory Care Services, the Medical Direction of the Chief of the Pulmonary, in their absence the Chief Medical Services.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities for this position include, but not limited to the following: The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. The incumbent may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served. Essential functions are required to be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time for above full performance ratings. Incumbent will review completed work for results achieved and for conformance to department policies and requirements. At this level the supervisor places considerable reliance on the Respiratory Therapists knowledge of complex procedures, and completed work is evaluated for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity to policy. The incumbent will regularly use a variety of sources for guidance and make clinical decisions. The incumbent uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. The incumbent analyzes results and recommends changes. Perform basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results. Compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for advanced pulmonary function tests (plethysmography, diffusion capacity, esophageal pressure, metabolic testing, and diaphragm stimulation) and be able to recognize normal/abnormal results. Compare and evaluate the indications and contraindications for sleep studies. Explain results in relation to types of respiratory sleep disorders. Identify and distinguish the indications, contraindications, and general hazards, complications in preparation, performance, and post care of bronchoscopic procedures. Monitor and evaluate the patient's clinical condition with pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram, exhaled gas analysis, and other related diagnostic devices. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute-care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. Explain the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital- based respiratory care protocols Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members. Review and interpret pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry. Inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies. Incumbent must be able to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program and recommend improvements based on evaluation of facility operations. Ability to communicate orally and in writing at varying levels, both internal and external to the organization. Skill in communicating data, policies and regulations. Develops and regularly reviews policies and procedures; ensures that this program remains in compliance with existing VA policy and regulations and JCAHO standards. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized 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

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. 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. 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: Lead 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. (RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient). 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 assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Lead RRTs are found in higher complexity facilities (level 1 and 2) and the lead duties must be regular and reoccurring and must constitute at lead 25% of the duty time. This assignment may be established as day/evening/night and/or inpatient/outpatient. They ensure work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Lead RRTs assure timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, assess the status, quality and progress of work and make day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. They provide clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for non-routine or complex procedures. They assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. They study the quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and take or recommend needed actions. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings. References: VA Handbook 5005 /141, Part II, Appending G-11. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted).

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 Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Ltanya Walker
• Phone: 919-503-8223
• Email: [email protected]