Provides direct clinical and administrative support to the Respiratory Care Services Section. Incumbent must demonstrate proficiency at or above the FPL (full-performance level) of a Registered Respiratory Therapist (GS-11). The Incumbent will assume a high level of responsibility in coordinating a large home PAP program and, as necessary, provide education and guidance to staff therapists on home PAP clinical pathways of care and administrative processes.

Duties

Major Duties: Incumbent utilizes CPRS to view and retrieve information on patients sent to the PAP clinic. Interrogates CPRS, Remote Data, and Vista Web Imaging for sleep study reports from VA Medical Centers and hospital affiliates throughout the country and makes outreach attempts to facilities if information is no report is available or to the patient if no information is found. Tracks consults, assess and optimize clinic utilization, reconcile inventory, and help coordinate scheduling of PAP clinics. Incumbent understands oximeter readings for reporting physiological findings as related to sleep disorders and ensures the interface of PAP equipment with supplemental oxygen and coordinates O2 needs with Home Oxygen coordinator or Program Manager. Incumbent performs positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting and adjusting and performs re-evaluation of patient for equipment usage and function. Ensures that on initial set-up and instruction the CPAP patient is enrolled in the PAP clinic for future reevaluation and follow-up. Incumbent communicates with patients and their proxies to assist in troubleshooting PAP equipment problems over the phone or virtually. Develops and executes processes and plans to streamline procedures for the PAP clinic. Incumbent will field and route, if necessary any clinical questions from associated care staff for the purpose of PAP care delivery. Incumbent must have complete knowledge of CPAP function, set-up and operation of different types of CPAP/BiPAP appliances. Provides instructions and technical assistance to patients via telephone, appointment, or walk- in patients. Demonstrates effective written and communication skills. Demonstrates good customer service to VA patients by being understanding and compassionate to the specific acre needs of the veteran. Provides coverage of other respiratory duties for inpatient care as outlined in the MCCC Scope of care when required for a shift. Will adhere to the Medical Care Clinical Center Charter to ensure priority is placed in providing inpatient respiratory care coverage when staffing models dictate the diversion of clinical resources (human capital). Follows all Joint Commission, VA, FDA, OSHA, etc. safety policies and procedures including infection control and equipment device recall. Accurately and timely records patient treatment, progress notes, etc. into patient records via CPRS based program. Provides all statistical data including encounter forms in a timely manner. Information provided is complete, accurate and work is performed within prescribed time frames. Completes the required VHA hours of training/education annually including mandatory training. Tracks and monitors the wireless follow-up databases and ensures that they are continually updated with the most recent information. Works with the Program Manager for outpatient Respiratory care, Program Lead, and Neurology Service in coordinating weekly wireless CPAP follow-up assignments. Assigns and delegate PAP related administrative and clinical task to associate staff ( outpatient/ In-patient) to meet immediate care needs of Veteran beneficiaries or their proxies. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time. 7:30am - 4:00pm. Compressed/Flexible:Available. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 23227F 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12. Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must: i. Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. The following certifications are preferred but not required: a. Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. b. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certificate issued AARC. c. AE-C awarded by the NAECB. d. 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: i. Ability to develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. ii. Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. iii. Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. iv. Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures. v. Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care. vi. Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care. vii. Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff. viii. 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. Required Experience: Outpatient PAP therapy management and setups in the following clinic setting. References: March 12, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Must have the mental, emotional, and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and to pass the requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies.

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 Martinsburg VA Medical Center 510 Butler Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25405 US
• Name: Joseph Hannan
• Phone: 304-268-9384
• Email: [email protected]