The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist-Lead may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served.

Duties

Support Functions 1. In the absence of a supervisor, assigns care areas for staff ensuring adequate coverage for all care areas. 2. Prepares work schedules in a timely manner if delegated by a supervisor. 3. Inspects code bags at beginning of shift to ensure equipment is functional and appropriate PPE is available when needed for emergencies. 4. Routinely performs audits of documentation in patient charts for completeness and accuracy and reports findings to the Supervisor. Collection of Diagnostic Information A. Pulmonary Function Technology 1. Perform basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results for both inpatients and outpatients. 2. Compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for advanced pulmonary function tests (plethysmography, diffusion capacity, esophageal pressure, metabolic testing, and diaphragm stimulation) and be able to recognize normal/abnormal results. Disease Management A. Management of Chronic Diseases 1. Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities. 2. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. 3. Assist in developing, administering, and re-evaluation of patient care plans. B. Management of Acute Diseases 1. Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. 2. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. 3.Assist in developing, administering, and re-evaluation of patient care plans. Evidence-Based Medicine and Best Practice Guidelines A. Evidence-Based Medicine 1. Ability to retrieve credible sources of evidence. 2. Applies evidence-based medicine to clinical practice. 3. Explains the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital based respiratory care best practice guidelines. Patient Assessment A. Patient Assessment 1. Completes the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members. 2. Obtains medical, surgical, and family history as appropriate. B. Diagnostic Data 1. Reviews and interprets pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry. 2. Reviews and interprets lung volumes and diffusion studies. C. Physical Examination 1. Inspects the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies. 2. Measures vital signs (pulse oximetry, heart rate, respiratory rate). Leadership A. Knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care B. Ability to communicate orally and in writing at varying levels, both internal and external to the organization C. Skill in communicating data, policies, and regulations. D. Ability to develop resource material. Emergency and Critical Care A. Emergency Care 1. Perform basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. 2. Maintain knowledge and skills necessary to retain certification as per associated guidelines as stated above. 3. Perform endotracheal intubation. Assessment of Therapeutics A. Assessment of Need for Therapy - Assesses the need for therapies in all patient settings. 1. Medical gas therapy 2. Humidity therapy 3. Aerosol therapy B. Assessment Prior to Therapy 1. Review order and/or implement protocol. 2. Review patient history, laboratory results, and imaging data. 3. Determine indications/contraindications for therapy. C. Administration of Therapy 1. Select and assemble equipment. 2. Apply and administer therapy. 3. Monitor patient's response to therapy. D. Evaluation of Therapy 1. Recognize complications and respond to adverse effects. 2. Recommend therapy modifications. 3. Assess therapy effectiveness. Application of Therapeutics to Respiratory Care Practice A. Medical Gas Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to gas delivery systems in all patient settings. 1. Evaluate compressed gas cylinders. 2. Evaluate regulators and flow meters. 3. Evaluate liquid-oxygen systems (stationary and portable). B. Humidity Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to humidity therapy systems in all patient settings. 1. Evaluate unheated passive humidifiers. 2. Evaluate active and passive heat-and-moisture exchangers (HMEs). C. Aerosol Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to aerosol systems in all patient settings. 1. Evaluate non-medicated, large-volume nebulizers, heated and unheated. 2. Evaluate for delivery of medication. The above list is not all inclusive Work Schedule: Sun-Saturday 1930-0800 Telework: NO Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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) for more information. 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. 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). GRADE REQUIREMENTS. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above in paragraph 4 a-g and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment: GRADE DETERMINATIONS. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12. (a) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must: i. 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. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload. ii. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. iii. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. iv. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. v. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies. (c) 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 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-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 5005/140 PART II APPENDIX G10 March 12, 2021 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12 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 Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Gary Byles
• Phone: 919-824-1988
• Email: [email protected]