This is a developmental position.The RRT serves as a member of the Respiratory Care Section of Medical Service at MTVA Healthcare System. Montana VA Sleep Disorders Center is a comprehensive specialty service providing sleep medicine services to veterans throughout Montana. Services include consultations, patient education, sleep testing (in-lab and at home), Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) titrations for CPAP, Bi-Level, ASV, and AVAPS, Actigraphy, Nocturnal Oximetry and PAP Adherence Clinics.

Duties

Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: The RT conducts self professionally and reliably. RT must be self-motivated and capable of working independently with direction. The RT is responsible for performing job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of VA Montana Healthcare System. The RT has an abiding interest in the knowledge and treatment of sleep disorders and actively pursues increased knowledge in the field of Sleep Medicine. The protocol and procedures are established for the treatment, management, evaluation and care of patient with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. The services include, but are not limited to, the following activities performed under a provider: Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures Establishment and maintenance of a PAP compliance program CPAP/BIPAP and other modes of ventilatory support for the treatment of disorders of sleep. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS) Knowledge of troubleshooting interface and PAP tolerance issues Maintenance of airways knowledge Patient/family education Staff development and competency development, implementation, and evaluation Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. Travel to CBOCs for remote PAP clinics Prepare reports as requested Perform home sleep testing face to face clinic as well as virtual home sleep testing Nocturnal oximetry procedure Under the supervision of the pulmonary and sleep providers, conducts initial screening of patients referred for evaluation. Receives, responds and results consults. Develops and implements an individualized plan of care for each patient and assures that the patient is involved in decisions affecting the care provided. Provides education to patients/families/care providers relating to the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Provides instruction to patients/families/caregivers on use and maintenance of home respiratory equipment. Responds to patient calls related to home respiratory care. Employs several techniques when assisting patients with compliance issues. Follows patients as determined by the pulmonary and sleep physicians, who may require further instruction/assistance. Assures that a thorough and accurate home respiratory prescription is entered in Computer systems in a timely manner. Assures appropriate and timely follow up when concerns or issues are raised. Sets-up diagnostic studies, downloads and evaluates data. Cleans and assembles equipment. Orders and maintains an adequate amount of supplies. Acquires new knowledge and skills as necessary relevant to sleep disorders and home respiratory care. Assures information exchange with colleagues is open and constructive. Consistently participates in information exchange via E-mail, informal discussions, and planned meetings. Shares information with the program team and provides information in writing to Sleep Services; Chief of Respiratory Care or to the Medical Director for Sleep Medicine, when indicated. Stays current with the hospital's mission in general and particularly where it touches Respiratory Care Services and the Sleep/PAP program. Provides additional services and performs other duties as needs are identified within the MVHCS, Sleep/PAP clinic and Respiratory Care Services. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: Flexible Schedule Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS-53215-O, FS-53216-O, FS-53217-O,???????FS-53218-O

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. 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). 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-07 level. 4 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; 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 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 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: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) 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. Assignment. This is the entry level developmental position. RTs at this grade level perform basic therapeutic modalities in all areas of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RRT at the full performance level or higher. RTs are responsible for such assignments as medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds. 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: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. 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. March 12, 2021 Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. 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: 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. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. 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: RRT, Ventilators, PFTS, EEGs, EKGS, BIPAP, All aspects of Respiratory therapy References: VA Handbook Part II, Appendix G11 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-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in patient care areas, in-patient and outpatient. Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members and visitors involved. Moving equipment and supplies, lifting to 40 pounds, bending, and stooping.

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 Montana VA Health Care System 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]