The recruitment is for a Registered Respiratory Therapist (Neuromuscular ALS / Home Oxygen Coordinator), credentialed by and in good standing with the National Board for Respiratory Care and current Respiratory Therapy License. You must have the ability to organize and manage time effectively, exercise independent judgment, assume responsibility for their own work/actions, work under stressful conditions, remain focused, maintain the ability to prioritize and transition between tasks quickly.

Duties

The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Ensure that the patient has the right to make informed decisions regarding his/her own care, that there is continuity of care provided by the vendor, that all information concerning the patient is treated confidentially, and that the vendor honors patient rights and informs the patients of their responsibilities, if any, in the care process. Order / coordinate with the vendor, a care plan to ensure the patients travel oxygen needs are met during the duration of his/her travel. Assist with clinical oversight of the program components, include apnea and pulmonary function clinics staff with associated in services, precepting and training. Act as a preceptor/ trainer/ educator assisting in the orientation of respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the operation of respiratory therapy services, multiple PAP devices equipment and related therapies, oxygen, ventilators, including necessary cleaning and safety precautions. Presents demonstrations and subsequently observes personnel during performance of these tasks in order to improve technique, standardize processes, and answer questions. Serve as a respiratory consultant/ resource for other clinicians, patients or families when the need arises for ventilators, CP AP/BiP AP/ ASV, mask fittings, troubleshooting equipment, education etc. Coordinate with Prosthetic Services and Vendor to ensure patient receives appropriate equipment and services. Communicates with home oxygen coordinator as needed to assure patient needs are met. Provide patients with instruction on the use, cleaning, maintenance and safety instruction for home respiratory equipment. Oversee performance, assessment and improvement activities pertaining to ventilators, sleep apnea, including all therapeutic equipment and supplies used in the treatment of sleep disorders in the home. Communicate clinical competencies associated with VISN program and provides feedback to the RRT Director/Supervisor for annual assessment. Must be able to operate a variety of equipment including mechanical ventilators, continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP, BiPAP, ASV), Oximeters, etc. Interpret overnight oximetry studies on room air or with varying doses of oxygen to determine the optimal dose of oxygen necessary to prevent arterial oxygen desaturation during sleep. Oversee re-evaluations of need for continued use of home oxygen (other respiratory therapy equipment). This includes a review of any outpatient clinic visits to document the need for oxygen therapy between one to three months after initiation of home oxygen therapy and annually thereafter. Active participant in the Home Respiratory Care Team or Neuromuscular team, conducts regular meetings, contributes ideas, plans, and information to improve services. This involves assisting the team in the development and revision of policies, procedures, competency and safety assessments, quality management, patient information, documentation, and other areas as necessary. Respond to problem calls from patients or the vendor. Reports formal complaints as needed, to the VSN administrator and Contracting Officer, follows up with performance improvement as needed. Perform quarterly patient home visits if required to observe patient knowledge, safety and compliance with prescription / care plan and assure satisfaction of care and services provided by the VA contracted vendor. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 6:00am - 3:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Telework: Not eligible Functional Statement #: 000000

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure. Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist (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. Respiratory Therapist (RT)/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C, 7403(F). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus; lifting, repositioning, safely moving patients (over I 00 lbs.) with assistance as needed; and pushing or pulling heavy objects (over 50 lbs.) such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator equipment, routinely lifting and carrying small equipment items (less than 50 lbs.). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures Preferred Experience/Qualifications/Certifications: Certified Tobacco treatment Specialist Pulmonary Rehibition Certificate issued AARC. AE-C awarded by NAECB. COPD Educator course offered by the AARC. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Registered Respiratory Therapist. (Program Coordinator) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 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 develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care. Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care. Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff. Ability to manage all aspects of a complex patient care program including day-to-day operation, training program resources and fiscal management. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment is designated as an RRT Program Coordinator, who oversees the administrative and clinical aspects of a major specialty program at complexity level 1 and 2 facilities only. Programs managed may include, but are not limited to; home oxygen, home ventilators, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinic, pulmonary procedure lab, sleep/positive airway pressure (PAP) clinic. RRTs may supervise and administratively manage employees assigned to their program(s) by providing leadership, direction, orientation, in-service training and continuing education programs for assigned staff. They perform analytical studies and interpret results to improve operations. They conduct all phases of service delivery, program resources and fiscal management. RRTs coordinate daily operations, develops and maintains policies and procedures for program operation and prepares reports and statistics for facility and Veterans Integrated Service Network use. They conduct a variety of audits, including clinical practice audits to evaluate operations and productivity and to ensure appropriate documentation of therapy, procedure, clinical outcomes and patient safety. They assist in determining quality and compliance data to be collected and investigates problems related to quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and recommends needed action. They make recommendations for program improvement and expansion based on research and emerging knowledge. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11 - Registered Respiratory Therapist. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

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 Long Beach VA Medical Center 5901 East Seventh Street Long Beach, CA 90822 US
• Name: Mary Almonte
• Phone: 719-216-4769
• Email: [email protected]