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. 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

ASSIGNMENTS: Responsible for independently setting up, monitoring and troubleshooting all modalities of ventilators (invasive and non-invasive), Pressure and Volume Ventilation and other complex modalities and keeping the healthcare team informed of any complication or concern. Follows Respiratory Driven Ventilator Protocol to provide a consistent procedure for respiratory therapists in partnership with physicians to manage invasive mechanical ventilation, adjusting as necessary, drawing ABG's to monitor patient status and changing to weaning protocol as necessary. Attend ICU / 3M-Surgical Rounds each day to plan and participate in a multi-disciplinary team to maximize patient care. Independently set up and check function and troubleshoot ventilators. Performs the most difficult respiratory therapy procedures to maintain ventilation, including endotracheal intubation. Does annual out of OR (OORAM) didactic training and performs skill competencies by either proctored simulation or live OR Intubations. Administers inhaled medications by various modalities, recognizing and responding appropriately to adverse reactions. Insert and manage arterial lines. Sets up and changes oxygen delivery devices and assures proper delivery of ordered liter flow or concentration. Performs airway care and suctions as needed for the tracheobronchial tree via endotracheal tube, tracheotomy or nasotracheal using aseptic technique. Performs chest physiotherapy to mobilize secretions. Serves as a member of the Code Blue and Rapid Response Team responding to cardiorespiratory emergencies. Maintains knowledge of respiratory drugs, appropriateness of therapy, patient's response to therapy, adverse drug effects, and proper drug dosage. Participates in both the planning and delivery of respiratory care related teaching and training programs for the patient and patient's caregiver. FUNCTIONS - DIAGNOSTIC TESTING/PULMONARY FUNCTION:

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: -Citizenship Citizen of the United States (U.S.). -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. Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 -Experience, Licensure and Credential 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. AND -Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11 Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Work is primarily performed out-patient care areas, but can be both inpatient and outpatient. Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors is involved. It may involve walking, standing, and bending, reaching and stretching to set-up and taking apart equipment, lifting and positioning patient and carrying, pushing or pulling moderate heavy objects (15-44 lbs.).

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

Contacts

• Address VA Western Colorado Health Care System 2121 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]