The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is a consolidated health care system that includes VA Medical Centers in Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama as well as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Dothan, Ft. Rucker, and Monroeville, Alabama, Fort Benning and Columbus, Georgia and the Montgomery VA Clinic.

Duties

The incumbent serves as a member of the Respiratory Therapy Section of Medical Service at the VISN 7 VA Healthcare System. The Respiratory Therapy subsection is responsible for providing the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Maintains Airway Officer status for Out of Operating Room (OOOR) intubation and advanced airway management. Consult literature on a regular basis (e.g. AARC Times, Respiratory Care, etc.) to stay acquainted with alternative modes of therapy and keep technically up to date. Cleans, sets up, and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as oxygen equipment, ventilators CPAP/BIPAP, and phrenic pacers, therapeutic gas administration apparatus for critical care patients. Follows all respiratory care Sputum Collection for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB), Rapid Response Team (RRT), and ventilator wearing protocols to include Bronchodilator Therapy Protocol and Oxygen Protocols. Performs diagnostic tests to include arterial blood gas analysis, spirometry, pulse oximetry, weaning parameters, peak flow, end tidal C02, metabolic, and negative inspiratory force. Performs all respiratory care procedures throughout the medical center, to include sputum collection for AFB, therapeutic aerosols, metered dose inhalers, oxygen therapy, chest physical therapy, and breathing exercises. Evaluates efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Initially and continuously assess the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination and respiratory monitoring and diagnostic equipment. Administers oxygen involving the use of variety of standard respiratory equipment to include low flow and high flow systems. Performs airway and tube care on patients including nasetracheal and endotracheal suctioning, cleaning and securing the tracheostomy and endotracheal tube and site, changing endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes per physician's order, monitoring tube cuff pressure, and inspecting equipment and patient to ensure proper functioning of the ventilator. Provides patient education for inpatients, outpatients, and home care pulmonary rehabilitation to include such things as respiratory therapy equipment, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD), chest physiotherapy and/or postural drainage, breathing exercise, metered dose inhaler treatments, nebulizer treatments, suctioning, peak flows, arterial blood gases, oxygen therapy, and other mucus clearing clearance devices such as PEP therapy and Flutter valves, etc. Performs advanced ventilatory management. Maintains ACLS and BLS provider status with appropriate certifications. Obtains arterial blood samples from patients through arterial punctures or from arterial catheters. Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists, nursing service personnel, physicians, and students relative to respiratory care. Demonstrates active listening skills. Demonstrates appropriate verbal and written communication skills in interaction with patients, staff, and visitors. Communicates with Supervisor (or Shift Leader in Supervisor's absence) any changes or fluctuations in assignments. Inspects, cleans, tests, and properly calibrates respiratory therapy equipment, according to policy and procedure, to ensure equipment functioning safely and efficiently, placing work orders for repairs when necessary. Records treatment, findings, assessments, and patient education and progress notes in CPRS. Assists with smoking cessation, home oxygen or ventilator assessment/visits, patient transports, and continued quality improvement. Actively participates in multidisciplinary team meetings to include team meetings in Spinal Cord Injury Unit, dysphagia team, and physician rounds in the intensive care units. Works as part of the team of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to manage patient care. Attends all mandatory training in-services as directed by the supervisor or Medical Center. Serves as shift leader in the absence of the supervisor. Work Schedule: Variable tour, Sunday through Saturday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 50749-A, 50748-A 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 (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) 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. 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. (a) 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. (b) 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: One year Registered Respiratory Therapist experience; NBRC RRT; ACLS/ALS; BLS References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Performs respiratory therapy requiring long periods of standing and walking. Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting to implement procedures are also required. Must be able to meet the physical demands of transportation of respiratory equipment, assembling, and disassembling. The employee must have the ability to lift and reposition patients as indicated for treatment.

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 Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Montgomery 215 Perry Hill Road Montgomery, AL 36109 US
• Name: Morgan Hogeland
• Phone: 205-933-8101 X412220
• Email: [email protected]