This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The duties listed are GS-11 Full Performance Level; GS-5, GS-7, and GS-9 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision. This position is aligned under the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the VA/DoD Joint Venture (JV) Hospital at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. The Respiratory Therapy (RT) Section is responsible for providing basic and advanced respiratory care services mainly to adult and geriatric patients at the VA/DoD Joint Venture Hospital and the Alaska VA Outpatient Clinic. The incumbent will provide respiratory therapy and related care to VA Veterans and DoD beneficiaries. The position requires utilization of both VA and Air Force guidelines, processes, and methods. Additionally, the respiratory therapist will be responsible for respiratory therapy education and respond to referrals from the community out-based clinics aligned under the Alaska VA Healthcare System to include home oxygen responsibilities as needed. Functions of the position include: Perform job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of Alaska VA Health Care System. Work within ventilator protocol guidelines and administer assisted and controlled mechanical ventilation to patients with artificial airways, endotracheal tubes, tracheotomies, and full-face mask for assisted ventilation requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters. Administer and monitor advanced ventilator techniques; volume ventilation, pressure ventilation, airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) mode, positive end expiratory pressure, and continuous positive airway pressure. Develop plans for weaning patients from ventilators and perform daily spontaneous breathing trials to assess readiness to wean prior to the day shift. Perform the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, assist endotracheal intubation, tracheal lavage, tracheotomy care. Assess the respiratory status of critical care patients using data acquired through physical observation/examination, verbal and written communication from patients, family, and other healthcare team members, clinical analysis of blood gas data, and chest x-rays. Review x-rays for endotracheal tube placement, pneumothorax, and atelectasis recognition. Review CT scans, electrocardiogram, and other data as relevant to patient care to determine the effectiveness of therapy and to make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment. Provide in-service training to others in various specialized areas of respiratory care. Assess and document pre and post therapy effectiveness. Administer/implement therapeutic measures as ordered by providers and per protocol, including frequent adjustment of mechanical manual resuscitator bag-mask use. Obtain blood gases by arterial puncture, A-line, or venous access and analyze using the I-STAT lab system. Recognize complications and respond to adverse effects. Provide respiratory medication administration, nebulizers, continuous nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, and dry powder inhalers. Evaluate patients inspiratory and expiratory peak flow. Manage and evaluate compressed gas cylinders & regulators as well as on-demand oxygen regulators. Identify and respond to existing and potential emergency situations such as rapid response, nursing alerts, and Code Blue situations by initiating corrective treatment, respiratory medications, and emergency and resuscitative measures based on physician orders, unit and hospital guidelines, BLS, and ACLS protocol. Participate in mass-casualty staffing to provide airway management. Identify patient/family education needs and teach on matters involving or affecting patient care, including age-specific needs. Support and actively participate in efforts regarding safety, quality improvement, risk management, infection control, policy and procedure revisions, staff meetings, in-services, RT annual competencies, home oxygen program assistance, and other functions as they arise. Assist with diagnostic/therapeutic bronchoscopies and other interventional or diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures within the respiratory therapist scope of practice. Manage and maintain respiratory care equipment; clean and process per infection control protocol, calibrate, setup between patients, and document. Communicate with the home care providers to provide accurate information about patient needs at home and while hospitalized. Effectively perform oxygen evaluation for VA/DOD in-patients, and VA out-patients. Work Schedule: Rotating 12 hour shifts: 6:30am to 7:00pm or 10:30am to 11:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected] , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following: a. 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. b. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. c. 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. d. 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. e. 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. In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under the exception above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07. Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures. iii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iv. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. v. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09. Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. 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. AND 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: i. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11, March 12, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work requires heavy lifting and carrying (over 45 pounds); straight pulling (up to 2 hours); pulling hand over hand (up to 2 hours); pushing (up to 2 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 12 hours); standing (up to 12 hours); repeated bending (up to 12 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to see a computer screen; ability to distinguish basic colors; and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental Factors: There may be exposure to excessive cold; dry atmospheric conditions; silica, asbestos, etc.; slippery or uneven walking surfaces; exposure to bodily fluids and infectious disease; and must be able to work alone and work closely with others.

Education

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. If selected for this position, you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance.

IMPORTANT: This position has a positive education or training requirement. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of the required degree or program is required and must include the name of the school, your name, date conferred or completed, and degree or certificate type.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Joe Julkowski
• Phone: 509-434-7382
• Email: [email protected]