This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

This assignment is above the full performance level. Registered Respiratory Therapists (Pulmonary), at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care to patients in the medical center and may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. They will perform the work in a setting involving regular and recurring exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, odors, exposure to air, mucus, and blood-borne pathogens, and needle exposure. Duties include, but are not limited to: Standard pulmonary function testing, bronchial provocation testing, bronchoscopy assisting, fluoroscopy assisting, EBUS and radial EBUS assisting, standard respiratory therapy skills and treatment., therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases, including carbon monoxide and administration devices, diagnostic pulmonary function testing, cardiopulmonary exercise physiologic testing, and 6 minute walk. Setup and utilization of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment as well as evaluating patients' responses to treatments and documenting findings in the patients' medical record. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the circulatory and pulmonary systems and the major organs associated with these systems is required. Knowledge of a variety of related acute and chronic disorders and diseases, their effect on the lungs and heart, and the method of treatment is needed. Knowledge of the pharmacology of common respiratory drugs, common dosages, typical and atypical patient responses and side effects is required. Expected to perform patient, family, and caregiver education as needed. Educate and train new staff, students, and members of the healthcare team. Must have expertise in the operation of all respiratory care equipment and be able to select and manipulate the respiratory equipment and therapy to meet patient needs. Must be able to instruct physicians and other healthcare professionals in the proper utilization of respiratory care equipment and therapy. When assessing a patient, providing care, or providing educational instruction, the employee will consider the age of the patient and any learning barriers as well as personal learning preferences as each relates to the ability to understand directions, provide objective self-assessment or any other personal information appropriate to the medical treatment plan. Practices professionally, must be reliable, be able to work independently and be self-motivated. Ability to monitor vital signs, perform and interpret arterial blood gases, and perform clinical assessments, recommend treatment options, and assess patient response. Skilled in arterial puncture by utilizing arterial puncture technique and utilizing all necessary safeguards to prevent complications from this technique. Work is primarily performed in the Pulmonary function department however, diagnostic, and therapeutic bronchoscopies are performed in the bronchoscopy suite, radiology, or at bedside. Displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in Pulmonary Function Services and in advanced bronchoscopy assisting. Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 6AM - 4:30PM Compressed:Available Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. (copy of transcript with conferred date required) 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. Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care. 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary), GS-12 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: a. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. b. Hold an active license and RRT credential. (Copy of credential required) Certification. Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT. (Copy of credential required) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing, exercise testing, metabolic testing, bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing. b. Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab. c. Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures. d. Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. e. Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. f. Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures. g. Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures. 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. RRTs at this grade level in this position compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for complex pulmonary function testing (PFT) and recognizes normal/abnormal results. They perform bronchoprovocation testing utilizing a variety of medications or methodologies. They monitor patients and recognize and initiate interventions for complications of testing. They perform an initial quality review of test results and ready them for physician interpretation and determine whether the patient meets the criteria for termination of testing. RRTs conduct quality control reviews of all tests performed and all pulmonary diagnostic equipment. They maintain lab records. They train and assess staff competencies in performing simple spirometry. Preferred Experience: RRT experience in a hospital setting, working with vent patients, and experience working in an outpatient setting. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 Part II Appendix G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light carrying (under 15 lbs.), pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, repeated bending, climbing (legs only and legs & arms), both legs, 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, both eyes, depth perception ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, and hearing (aid may be permitted. Environmental factors include dust.

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Gabriel Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X53014
• Email: [email protected]