The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for the delivery of the entire spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory therapy services in a safe and competent manner. Pulmonary services are under the Primary Care & Specialty Medicine Integrated Care Community at the Fargo VA HCS.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Safely and accurately initiates mechanical ventilation and makes suggestions on advanced modes of therapy. Performs advanced airway management (OORAM/intubating to include monthly simulation competency). Recognizes the need for emergency measures in the most critically ill patient and performs accordingly as part of the CODE1 and RRT teams. Demonstrates competency in artificial airway management to include tracheostomy care and endotracheal tube management. Obtains biologics to include arterial blood gas puncture. Uses critical thinking skill when performing analysis and interpretation. Places arterial lines on critically ill patients. Accurately verifies orders and acts in a timely manner and consults with providers and other healthcare professionals to deliver high quality care. Consistently determines and initiates complex respiratory care such as RT driven protocols to determine appropriate therapy for medication management, lung expansion, pulmonary hygiene and oxygen therapy. Documentation is completed in the electronic medical record (including ICCA) per policy. Accurately and safely delivers inhaled medications using proper technique, medication dosage and delivery and monitor the patient for potential side effects, assuring the ongoing safety of the patient receiving respiratory care. Is competent in the use of BCMA. Correctly enters event capture and encounter data within the required timeframes. Utilizes patient assessment skills when monitoring for abnormalities in pulse, breath sounds and respiratory rate pre and post respiratory therapies. Performs various tests and procedures to measure and calculate respiratory function such as bedside pulmonary function testing and NIF testing. Performs nasotracheal suctioning to maintain a patent airway. Operation and maintenance of the blood gas machines, ability to perform and document equipment calibration and quality control as indicated in the pulmonary section ABG lab policy. Assist Veterans with home CPAP and BiPAP equipment in the CPAP clinic. Perform home sleep testing downloads. Work Schedule: 7:30am to 4:00pm, and Rotating schedule Telework: At supervisor discretion, up to 8 Days per pay period can be discussed during interview. 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. 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. 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. 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-07level. 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. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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; and3)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. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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, 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. This is demonstrated by the following; Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care; Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes; Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation; Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation 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 sleep medicine and with home PAP devices. References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Fargo VA Medical Center 2101 Elm Street Fargo, ND 58102 US
• Name: Jessica Echlin
• Phone: 651-405-5661
• Email: [email protected]