The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for performing home sleep testing, home oxygen evaluations and ordering, patient instruction on sleep disorders, complex pulmonary function testing and use of therapeutic equipment at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, MO.

Duties

John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio pulmonary needs of the patients served. Reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data. Formulates an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment. Communicates orally and in writing, changes, adjustments and recommendations with other healthcare team members. Provides effective education and training to patients, students and co-workers as appropriate. Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Examples include but not limited to: Arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, advanced airway and ventilation management, oxygen evaluation and administration, home CPAP/BiPAP/ventilator, bronchial hygiene, volume expansion, respiratory medication administration. etc. Performs emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice. Assembles, checks, corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment. May serve as therapist-in-charge when assigned and/or in the absence of a supervisory therapist. Promotes a customer-centered environment, taking personal responsibility for problem solving and effective courteous communication with patients, their families, medical staff, students and co-workers. Provides patient care, which is appropriate to the cultural, cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. The Respiratory Therapist will demonstrate the ability to utilize computer-based technologies, software and programs. - Attends or has access to all annual and mandatory in-services, required meetings and continuing education programs. Shares in the construction of schedules and daily assignments. Performs or assists with the collection of QM/PI data as required for programs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Coverage; 7:00 am - 5:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:10 hour shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following: 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 or its successor. Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601series 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-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. Grade Determinations: 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. 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. GS-12: Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level (see above). Hold an active license and RRT credential. The following certifications are desirable but not required: CPFT, RPFT or RPSGT. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing. Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing. Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing a weight of 35 pounds in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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 John J Pershing VA Medical Center 1500 North Westwood Boulevard Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 US
• Name: Joseph Craft
• Phone: (573) 712-8175
• Email: [email protected]