The home oxygen coordinator (HOC) is a certified Respiratory Therapist that serves primarily as the liaison between patients requiring supplemental oxygen (and their families), the Medical Center (Pulmonary Section, Prosthetics, Home Oxygen Committee) and the home oxygen vendor. The HOC has the responsibility to provide assessments for O2 need following clinical guidelines (follow-up evaluations), perform home visits, and provide patient education for compliance in the Home Oxygen Policy.

Duties

The following is a summary of the essential functions of this job. The HOC 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 home oxygen and respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served. A. Job Knowledge: 1. Demonstrates knowledge and level of expertise for all equipment used in the Home Oxygen Program (HOP). 2. Keeps current in all necessary equipment through in-services, seminars and continuing education. 3. Maintains all required and applicable state and federal requirements and regulations. B. Quality of Care: 1. Plans, provides and maintains a safe environment for patients, staff and others. 2. Provides accurate, legible and complete documentation. 3. Provides services according to established policies, procedures and protocols. 4. Initiates new equipment education efficiently and accordance to manufacturers recommendations to staff, patients, and caregivers and documents appropriately. 5. Participates in departmental and organizational improvement activities. 6. Interacts effectively with patients, physicians and other members of the healthcare team. C. Critical Thinking: 1. Recognizes changes in program requirements and responds appropriately to the chain of command. 2. Recommends alternative patient equipment when appropriate. 3. Reports concerns/problems or innovative solutions following the chain of command. D. Dependability: 1. Completes assigned and delegated responsibilities within established time frames. 2. Meets Miami VA Healthcare System time and attendance standards. E. Productivity/Financial Management: 1. Demonstrates ability to plan and prioritize assigned workload to assure completion. 2. Ensures completion of documentation. 3. Uses resources appropriately to minimize waste. F. Leadership: 1. Demonstrates and promotes positive image through professional conduct, appearance and communication. 2. Supports hospital and departmental missions and goals. G. Personal and Professional Development: 1. Attends or has access to all annual and mandatory in-services, required meetings and continuing education programs and completes appropriate documentation. 2. Formulates goals for professional development annually. 3. Participates in performance improvement initiatives as required. 4. Maintains AHA BLS card. 5. Keeps abreast of information and skills related to Home Oxygen Program area. H. Teamwork: 1. Demonstrates cooperative interactions with co-workers. 2. Works with other members of the healthcare team to provide appropriate and timely care for patients. 3. Will remain competent in all respiratory care procedures and will work as assigned by Supervisor. 4. Aids other staff when time is available. 5. Flexes assignment as workload changes. 6. Will perform all other needs as required by the Supervisor. I. Communication: 1. Demonstrates active listening skills. 2. Communicates with staff, patients, family members and other healthcare providers in a clear manner by demonstrating appropriate verbal and written communication skills in interactions. 3. Communicates following the Chain of Command when concerns/problems occur. J. Customer Service: 1. Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively and positively with a wide variety of internal and external customers. 2. Remains sensitive to the needs and expectations of others. 3. Treats others with respect, dignity and courtesy. 4. Provides appropriate and timely follow up when concerns or issues are raised. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):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. 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 VA Handbook 5005, Qualification Standards. 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. 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. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet the following qualification requirements and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) as follows: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-05: Nothing beyond the basic requirements is required. 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 basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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. Knowledge, skills and abilities at the GS-09 level are: 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. 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, Part II, Appendix G11 Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0601 VHA. 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-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The physical demand of the work includes Moderate lifting, 15 -44 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have to ability to stand for possibly long periods of time. Possible exposure to body fluid is involved. For additional information, see VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Joselyne Figueroa-Cruz
• Phone: 787-600-0438
• Email: [email protected]