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

Duties listed are GS-11, developmental grades will differ in complexity and oversight. The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)/Sleep RRT is responsible for providing sleep services to patients in the VA/DOD Joint Venture (JV) Hospital in the JV Sleep lab, and in the inpatient unit including ICU for any respiratory need. The incumbent is responsible for ordering supplies, setting up CPAP, and pressure adjustments with follow up visits for veterans in the Sleep Clinic at the Alaska VA Healthcare Services Outpatient Clinic and additional duties as assigned. The Sleep RRT will coordinate with the VA home Oxygen (O2) program for O2 needs and may on occasion enter VA oxygen consults/orders. Perform a wide variety of PAP titration studies including CPAP, Bi-level, ASV technologies, Home Sleep Testing, data entry, EHR Documentation, and daily sleep program task needs. The incumbent will remain current in computerized education training for both VA and DOD systems. Assessments: assesses 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, chest x-rays, and reviews x-rays for endotracheal tube placement, pneumothorax recognition, atelectasis recognition, CT scans, electrocardiogram, and other data as relevant to patient care to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment. Therapeutic Measures: administer/implements therapeutic measures as ordered by providers and per protocols. Percussion and postural drainage, positive end expiratory valve (PEP), MetaNeb, equipment/supply changes per hospital and department policies. 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. Clinical Emergencies: active participant in identifying and responding to both 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 appropriate utilization of physician orders, unit and hospital guidelines, BLS, and ACLS protocol. Communication: communicates significant information in a timely, knowledgeable, and professional manner to providers, other healthcare personnel, patients, and family members to facilitate safe and effective delivery of patient care. Patient Education: identifies patient/family education needs and provision of patient/family teaching on matters involving or affecting patient care, including nutritional, psychosocial, and age-specific or developmental needs. Participation: in unit/hospital programs and responsibilities supports and actively participates in efforts regarding safety, quality improvement, risk management, infection control, policy and procedure revisions, staff meetings, in-services, RT annual competencies, and Home oxygen program assistance. Personal Professional Responsibility: contributes to the ongoing responsibility of a supportive and positive work climate of mutual respect and collaboration among healthcare team members, patients, families, and others interacting with our critical care unit. Cardiopulmonary Functions: performed such as assistance with diagnostic/therapeutic bronchoscopies and other interventional/diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures within the respiratory therapist scope of practice. Respiratory Care Equipment and Procedures: managed and maintained, to include training, cleaning/processing, calibration, setup between patients, documentation, infection control, quality improvement, and accountability. Patient Safety: requires a team effort, reporting safety issues and near misses is expected. Just Culture means each employee doing the right thing. Documentation: must be thoroughly completed by the respiratory therapist for all treatments, assessments, education, changes in therapies, ventilator changes, emergency care, transports, or any other significant findings that may pertain to the patient's care. Home care: communicate with providers and discharge planners to provide accurate information about patient's needs at home and while hospitalized. Work Schedule: 10:30AM - 11PM, rotating days Compressed:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 (KSAs). 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: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. 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: 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: 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. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of experience and the ability to work independently. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: Heavy lifting and carrying (45 lbs. and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to see computer, monitors and ventilator screens, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental stability, and emotional stability. Environmental factors include excessive cold, dry atmospheric conditions, silica, asbestos, etc., slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular working hours, exposure to body fluids, and exposure to infectious diseases.

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 Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Gabriel Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X53014
• Email: [email protected]