Under the general supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care, the Home CPAP/Oxygen Therapist is responsible for the all activities related to the distribution of respiratory equipment and instruction of the patient and caregivers regarding the equipment and usage. The incumbent must have knowledge of the VA system and eligibility status including alternative community care providers such as Medicare. The employee must also maintain a working knowledge of TJC standards for home health.

Duties

ADMINISTRATIVE: Responsible to understand, interpret and comply with Respiratory Care Department and VAMC hospital policies, as well as all applicable laws and regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues. Ensures that patient encounters are completed and closed out correctly in Vista/CPRS. Maintains all appropriate records and documentation per policy Maintains accurate files of all patients in the Home Care Program per VAMC, TJC and Medicare guidelines. Maintains patient records per Respiratory Care Department - Out-Patient and VAMC and confidentiality standards. Follow all local and VHA policies and procedures (e.g., VHA Directive 2006-055) dealing with access and utilization of the Scheduling Package and Advanced Clinic Access. Responsible to evaluate all home care pulmonary equipment requests, i.e. small volume nebulizer, suction equipment, etc to include the eligibility of the veteran patient for the equipment. Assures that the required paperwork is processed to Medicare and/or VA Prosthetics' Department for Oxygen, CPAP/BIPAP, etc. Responsible to coordinates oxygen deliver and set up of equipment with the private vendor's state and nationwide. This includes the verification of the veteran patient's VA eligibility for disbursement of home care equipment. Responsible as a liaison with community oxygen and health providers for home care pulmonary equipment inquiry to include working in conjunction with other VA facilities regarding travel and transfers issues. Responsible to participate in the functions of the Medical Center Discharge planning committee as requested. Assists the Respiratory Supervisor with Home Care Program quality assurance monitoring and/or review. Ensure that the out-patient are scheduled and verifies clinical encounter data are closed out and follow-up on secure messages and patient calls in a reasonable time frame. Coordinate for gaps in clinic or other patient coverage issues due to planned leave that are not dealt with ahead of time. Informs or keep abreast to the Respiratory Supervisor, status regarding equipment, supplies or new training required as it arises. Maintains patient files on all home care oxygen and CPAP patients. Assures records are in the Home Care Office for easy reference. Collaborates with management to develop and maintain a productive work environment and positive working relationship by, conducting daily activities, communications and interactions in a cooperative, positive, courteous and professional manner. Consistently maintains complete confidentiality of all medical, financial, employees, computer or other sensitive material, which may jeopardize the privacy of others. Perform other duties as requested or assigned. CLINICAL: Responsible for Home Care Oxygen/CPAP Program management of all patients requiring Home Care Oxygen/CPAP equipment per VA policy. Responsible to conduct a CPAP/BIPAP issue and proper care of equipment class to patients eligible and authorized this home equipment by the VAMC. Responsible to educate veteran patients on other respiratory home care equipment issued to include svn's, oxygen safety and use, flutter valve, etc., to patients eligible and authorized by the VAMC. Responsible to download and maintain data entry from the CPAP/BIPAP "smart card" received from the patients authorized this home equipment by the VAMC. Responsible to interpret the CPAP/BIPAP "smart card" and place the interpretation notes to include any problems noted. Responsible to contact patient for any follow-up if indicated and place these notes as well into CPRS. Responsible to check the accuracy of the CPRS consults and respond per VA policy. Responsible to verify the patient's medical eligibility for home oxygen usage by VA and/or Medicare policy standards for authorization by assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation, clinical analysis of blood gas data, and oximetry to determine the patient's eligibility per policy. Responsible to perform arterial blood gas puncture, if applicable. Accurately interprets data and reports any inappropriate results to physicians. Responsible to participates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Responsible to delivers sputum specimens to the main laboratory following completion of a sputum inducement procedure. Work Schedule: Various shifts available. Flexibility in working schedules may be required as shifts vary due to hospital servicing hours are 24 hours per day/7 days a week; changes to shifts are based on servicing needs. Telework: Not Available 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: 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 Preferred Experience: Experience working in an out-patient environment to include home oxygen set-up, CPAP/BiPAP set-up and education, mask fittings, downloading of SD card data. References: VA Handbook 5005/141, PART II, APPENDIX G11, REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, GS-0601 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 50-100 lbs) Prolonged extensive, or considerable standing/walking Lifts, positions, pushes, and /or transfers patients Assists with lifting and moving patients Lifts supplies/equipment Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies Manual dexterity and mobility Intermittent exertion when performing treatments Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Bob Stump VA Medical Center 500 Highway 89 North Prescott, AZ 86313 US
• Name: Dorian Bruce
• Phone: 909-602-4590
• Email: [email protected]