The incumbent serves as a Registered Respiratory Therapist for the Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Health Care System. Will be responsible for delivery of care to Veterans for a Home:-Based Pulmonary Rehab program, modeled after traditional outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation services.

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 include but are not limited to: Independently interpret physician treatment plan and evaluate patients using standard and nonstandard procedures and techniques appropriate for diagnosis to establish a baseline function. Design nd exercise treatment plan based on analysis of initial patient assessment. Perform six-minuet walk test and spirometry as well as assessing patient preferences and health goals. Screen for risk factors that would influence ability to actively participate and ensure necessary work-up prior to program start. Perform initial patient interview. Education patient on exercise plan, including leading exercise demonstration. Identify pulmonary risk factors to begin planning education and interventions and determine the existence of any comorbidities. Develop and implement ongoing individualized therapy treatment programs. Evaluate daily log maintained by patient. Responsible for all Pulmonary Rehab administrative duties, including scheduling, initial patient interview and follow-up appointments. Compile and submit Pulmonary Rehab program process, participation and status reports as established by the VA HBPR program supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Telework eligible 6 or more days a pay period can be discussed during interview 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. 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: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12. Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active license and 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 Demonstrated 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. Preferred Experience: 2 years of working Pulmonary Rehab experience; Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certification through AARC or AACVPR References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. 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 VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Jessica Echlin
• Phone: 651-405-5661
• Email: [email protected]