Register Respiratory Therapists at the Memphis VA Hospital work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means.

Duties

Major Duties: Notifies patient of future appointments verbally, by mailed written letters and by phone. Conducts appointments virtually and face-to-face. Responsible for assisting physician in daily outpatient clinics, collecting and monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and performing six-minute walk test. Assess patient immediate need at check-in and communicate to physician promptly. Pulmonary consult management for pending, receiving, scheduling and clearing. Calibrates and operates Pulmonary Function equipment and accessories daily. Maintains equipment in functioning condition, ensuring safety and efficient operation. Cleans Pulmonary Function equipment in between patient testing according to manufactory guidelines. Performs diagnostic tests to include arterial blood gas analysis, spirometry, pulse oximetry, peak flow, and negative inspiratory force. Administers oxygen utilizing a variety of standard respiratory equipment to include low flow systems. Perform respiratory care procedures in PFT Lab such as therapeutic and diagnostic aerosol, metered dose inhalers. Perform all Pulmonary Function testing procedures: Slow Vital Capacity, Low-Volume Loop, DLCO, MVV, Lung Volumes, Methacholine Challenge, Airway Resistance, and other specified testing. Transfer PFT testing and images from PFT machine to CPUser Imaging for timely interpretation by physicians. Performs and/or assists in bronchoscopy procedures to include but not limited to: survey of airways, bronchial alveolar lavage, endobronchial ultrasound, specimen collection such as biopsy, brush, or needle aspiration. Assists in the set up and troubleshooting of bronchoscopy equipment. Performs exercise evaluation and monitoring of pulmonary rehabilitation patients and documents initial evaluations, daily assessments, and individual development plans as needed. Demonstrates active listening skills. Demonstrates appropriate verbal and written communication skills in interaction with patients, staff, and visitors. Works as part of the team of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to manage patient care within the pulmonary clinics, pulmonary function lab, bronchoscopy procedures, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM - 4:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

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. 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. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.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: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above in paragraph 4 a-g and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 (a) 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. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: responsible for the following under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriate mechanical means. Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. (b) 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. (c) Assignments. This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G11. REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, GS-0601. March 12, 2021.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred Experience: Must have 2 years of respiratory experience. 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. Physical Standards: VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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 Memphis VA Medical Center 1030 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 US
• Name: Sarah Johnson
• Phone: (228) 348-4414
• Email: [email protected]