Under the general supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care, the Flex 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: Documents all respiratory treatments and patient responses in the medical record. This includes documentation in the electronic (BCMA, CPRS and PICIS) medical record. Maintains departmental paperwork (i.e., missed medication log, etc.), per current standard. Ensures all critical blood gas values are documented under the comment section in Vista/CPRS and contacts the physicians or the appropriate individual per ABG policy. Ensures that all patient consults /encounters received are accurate and completed daily and closed out in Vista/CPRS. Responsible to understand, interpret and comply with Respiratory Care Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with VA Policies and Procedures. In the absence of the Chief Respiratory Therapy, staff therapist will assume the role of Charge Therapist and coordinate the shift's activities. This includes making judgmental decisions and contacting the delegate of authority when a situation cannot be resolved by following the established departmental policies and procedures. Situations that are not emergent are reported to the Chief Respiratory Therapy using the end of shift report. 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 sensitive material which may jeopardize the privacy of others. CLINICAL: Independently performs basic and acute respiratory care, administration of oxygen and aerosol therapy, positive pressure devices (BIPAP and CPAP), ventilator care to include advanced technology/techniques, i.e., pressure control modality and associated ventilator adjustments, and monitoring with/without/graphs. Respiratory Therapist is responsible in making appropriate recommendations to physicians regarding changes in therapy. Assess respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiograms to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered. Assist with code calls (i.e., participates In cardiopulmonary resuscitation.) Duties may include responding to code arrests, starting new therapies, cleaning and/or stocking of supplies and disinfecting/preparation of equipment. Responsible for assisting or performing endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, and tracheotomy care. The In-Patient Registered Respiratory Therapist will be required to successfully complete (OOORAM)training. Registered Respiratory Therapists will be deemed capable to perform Emergency Airway Management Outside of the Operating Room when required. All intubation procedures must be documented via CPRS and the required department documentation. Duties are further expanded to perform arterial blood gases and electrocardiograms. Accurately interprets data reports and any inappropriate results to the physicians. Assist with sputum mobilization techniques-sputum inductions, chest percussion, postural drainage, and suctioning patients as required. The registered respiratory therapist will regularly administer these procedures and be competent in therapeutic interventions and troubleshooting in all related therapies and equipment as demonstrated by observation, documentation, or audit. Perform other duties as requested or assigned. NOTE: Some positions require rotation of tours or indefinite work on non-administrative tours as established by the immediate supervisor. Not all duties may be listed, so other duties may be assigned. Salary listed does not include weekend, holiday and night pay shift differential. Shift Differential for employees who perform work during regularly scheduled hours between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. shall receive 10 percent of basic pay for those hours. Premium pay equal to 25 percent of the employee's basic hourly rate of pay is given for hours worked between midnight Friday or midnight Sunday. Employees who are required to perform regularly scheduled non-overtime work on a designated holiday shall receive pay at the rate of two times their hourly rate for actual hours worked on their tour, but not less than at least two hours. See VA Handbook 5007 for further details. Work Schedule: 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. [Transcripts MUST be submitted with application] 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. [Proof of licensure MUST be submitted with application] 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. [Proof of credential MUST be submitted with application] 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: Prefer in and out-patient experience to include; PFT, CPAP, Home Oxygen, medication delivery, ventilator management, Sleep testing. 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. Working Conditions: Wet; frequent contact with water or other liquids. Hazardous conditions where there is danger to life, body and/or health. Atmospheric conditions that affect skin or respiration. Exposed to infection from disease-bearing specimens. May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood-borne diseases. Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids and wastes. Exposed to a variety of electro-mechanical hazards. Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens. May be exposed to toxic chemicals.

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: Niko Simmons
• Phone: (562) 842-9823
• Email: [email protected]