The Lead RRT functions within the Respiratory Therapy department providing leadership to respiratory staff and care in all areas of the hospital, including the critical care units, as prescribed by a provider. The incumbent must have demonstrated expert knowledge of respiratory therapy methods, equipment and procedures for inpatient and outpatient areas of the department. They must have the ability to assume responsibility, plan, organize, direct, coordinate staff and trainings.

Duties

LEADERSHIP - The incumbent will have a great deal of independence in the performance of their duties. The incumbent will be the charge person in the absence of the Chief or Program Managers and will have full responsibility to modify the workload to accomplish assigned duties. - Assist staff in determining treatment options for complex patients and provide guidance on therapy assignments that do not have clear precedents. - The incumbent will be available for unusual situations that do not have clear precedents or established policies and represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings. CLINICAL - Independently performs basic and acute respiratory care, administration of oxygen and aerosol therapy, positive pressure devices (BIPAP, CPAP), ventilator care to include advanced technology/techniques (i.e., pressure control modality and associated ventilator adjustments and monitoring). - Incumbent will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care place based upon patient assessment, history, lung auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc. - Assess respiratory status of patients through direct contact, chart review, diagnostic data (i.e., pulmonary function tests, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count and related laboratory tests) and other means as appropriate. Duties may vary according to shift and/or patient care needs, and miscellaneous duties as assigned. - Incumbent will perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures. PATIENT/STAFF EDUCATION - The Respiratory Therapist (RT) is the expert clinician in the care and management for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The incumbent will provide education to patients and families as requested for new and chronic respiratory disease management in inpatient, post-acute care and outpatient care settings. - Education will include the use and maintenance of home equipment, safety and contingency planning for chronic disease management including, but not limited to chronic disease management, home ventilation and positive airway pressure therapy, home oxygen usage and safety, tracheostomy care and suctioning, nebulizers and aerosol medications. Incumbent will provide and participate in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy. PHARMACOLOGY - Dispense pharmacological solutions as prescribed by physician. - Must possess and utilize a general knowledge of indications, contraindications, and complications of medicines and respond accordingly to policy and procedure in the event of adverse reactions and/or appropriate orders as demonstrated through observation, assessment and documentation. ADMINISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION - Documents all respiratory treatments and patient responses in the electronic medical record as per policy. This included documentation in BCMA and CPRS, and the completion of consult requests. Maintains departmental paperwork according to the current standard. - Documentation will include appropriate patient information, location of patient, verification of patient name and social security number or date of birth, clearly and thoroughly state the events that occurred during therapy as demonstrated through medical record audit. - Documentation will be completed in a timely manner; will clearly state the events that occurred during therapy as demonstrated through medical record audit. To include PRN effectiveness, blood gas entry, event capture, and BCMA if relevant. Aids in the development and regular review of policies and procedures. Identifies process improvement opportunities and assess quality of care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 11:30am - 7:30pm, some weekends and holidays as needed. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Language. 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. (1) Exception. RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below. (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level. (b) RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (e) Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder. (2) 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. Grade Determinations: Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must: (1) Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient. (2) 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: (1) Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload. (2) Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. (3) Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. (4) Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. (5) Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Lead RRTs are found in higher complexity facilities (level 1 and 2) and the lead duties must be regular and reoccurring and must constitute at lead 25% of the duty time. This assignment may be established as day/evening/night and/or inpatient/outpatient. They ensure work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Lead RRTs assure timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, assess the status, quality and progress of work and make day-to[1]day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. They provide clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for non[1]routine or complex procedures. They assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. They study the quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and take or recommend needed actions. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 dated March 12, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Light lifting (under 15 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Light carrying (under 15 pounds); Pushing (some hours); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Kneeling (some hours); Repeated bending (some hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Brittaney Parks
• Phone: 361-277-5288
• Email: [email protected]