The Register Respiratory Therapist displays proficiency and performs at the level of excellence in all Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Services Unit within their group. The services are performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and policies and procedures of VHA and the James A Haley Veterans' Hospital.

Duties

Major Duties: As a Registered Respiratory Therapist assigned to the JAHVA outpatient clinics your primary responsibility will include but not limited to, the following duties: Pulmonary Clinics and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) Perform pulmonary function testing which includes, but not limited to calibration of equipment, various diagnostic tests including Spirometry, Single Breath Diffusion (DLCO), Plethysmography (VTG), Methacholine challenge, home evaluations/ 6 - minute walk test. Proficient at performing arterial blood gases sampling, analysis, interpretation and intervention. Evaluate/monitor patient's response to therapy and recommend changes based on information obtained. Maintain annual competency/follow policy/procedures. Complete consults/clinical procedures for both outpatient/inpatient staff and patients. Exhibits strong clinical skills that improve patient care as well as excellent interpersonal relationship skills in communicating health care information to patients, family and interdisciplinary health care teams. Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. Travel as needed with the Tampa VA catchment area. Requires strong computer skills, entering collecting/downloading data of patients results following procedures utilizing encore pro2 software. Independently evaluate sleep related breathing disorders patients, and titrate pressures, download data, review compliance and fit patients with appropriate interface devices to achieve the physicians therapeutic goals. Portable Home Sleep Monitor to include; assessment, education, equipment setup and downloading patient data. TeleHealth with all services . The delivery of the complete spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic services provided within respiratory services at the James A Haley VA Hospital. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Compressed: The tour of duty offers maybe a compressed schedule (5:30AM to 4:00PM or 7:30AM to 6:00PM) and may include alternating weekends and holidays once, the orientation/competency process is completed. Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 5240 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: 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 this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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. (TRANSCRIPTS 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. (DOCUMENTATION OF LICENSURE REQUIRED) Credential. In the field of respiratory care there are two types of credentials granted in the credentialing process to becoming registered as defined below: CRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, Respiratory Therapists (RT) are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of CRT by the NBRC. RTs who hold a CRT credential are limited in duties and responsibilities and differ from those who hold an RRT credential. RRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, RTs are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of RRT by the NBRC. Preferred Experience: Entering collecting /downloading data of patients results following procedures utilizing Somnoware/ ResMed Air view. Independently evaluate sleep related breathing disorders patients, titrate pressures, download data, review compliance and fit patients with appropriate interface devices to achieve the physicians therapeutic goals. Performing arterial blood gases sampling, analysis, interpretation, and intervention. Performing pulmonary function testing which includes, calibration of equipment, performing various diagnostic tests including Spirometry, Single Breath Diffusion (DLCO), Plethysmography (VTG) and Methacholine testing, MIP/MEP, supine spirometry for ALS/Neuromuscular testing. Virtual CPAP and home sleep appointments. Setting up portable home sleep and downloading results. Unboxing and preparing PAP equipment for daily distribution. 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). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA. Grade Determinations Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11. In addition to the basic requirements, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) defined in the specific assignment as follows: Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. 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: i. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Assignments. This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if out comes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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 James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Paula Velez
• Phone: 708-953-6248
• Email: [email protected]