The primary responsibilities and functions performed by the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)/Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) or Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) in the Long Beach VAHCS encompass diagnostic evaluation, assessment, and provision of patient care services to both inpatients and outpatients. This includes patient instruction, testing, equipment/computer setup and interface, troubleshooting, and preliminary interpretation.

Duties

The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Perform diagnostic evaluation including Spirometry before and after bronchodilators, Lung Volume Determinations, Diffusing Capacity Determination, Slow Vital Capacity measurement, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation, and measurement of Airway Resistance and Conductance, arterial blood gas interpretation - this includes patient instruction, testing, equipment/computer setup and interface, troubleshooting, and preliminary interpretation. Monitor and evaluate patient performance during procedures and evaluates' response to PFT and recommends changes based on information obtained. Provide patient with clear, concise instructions and coach the patient to achieve the best, reproducible results. Plan, provide, and maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and families. Provide consult service at the request of nursing staff or physician. Provide recommendations to the physician based on assessment/evaluation of patient. Maintain knowledge of emergency airway management, pulmonary pharmacology, and oxygen administration. Recognize changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately and communicates with other members of the healthcare team when changes in condition occur. Ensure equipment and supplies are available for use. Participate in evaluation of new equipment and services. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, monitors compliance within the PFT clinic area. Resolve technical work problems with the aid of references, such as manuals, troubleshooting guides, and other reference sources. Provide accurate, legible, and complete documentation of patient care delivered and response to therapy. Act as liaison to providers for testing performed, equipment, supplies and requests for special services. Recommend changes in the PFT Lab to improve services and patient care. Assist with completion of department paperwork. Assist in planning and implementing effective educational programs for in-services, orientation, continuing education, and other personnel training in the PFT Lab. Provide additional, non-traditional services as determined by LBHCS and department needs per supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday to 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. Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) 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. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Certification. Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT. Qualification Requirements. Incumbent must have knowledge of ATS (American Thoracic Society) National Guidelines for pulmonary function testing, which include criteria for equipment accuracy and testing which can be used as a reference. Incumbent must have the ability to manage patient care programs to make recommendations to improve patient care and operations. The incumbent shall have the knowledge of pulmonary disease which include pulmonary function testing understanding and application of ATS (American Thoracic Society) Standards, equipment troubleshooting and compliance software operation as well as knowledge of patient assessment and education methods. ACLS certified 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 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. Assignment. 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. RRTs at this level compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for complex PFTs and recognizes normal/abnormal results. They administer a variety of medications or methods utilized for bronchoprovocation testing. They monitor and initiate interventions for complications of testing. They perform initial quality review of test results, ready them for physician interpretation and determine whether patient meets criteria for termination of testing. They conduct quality control expected by the ATS for all test performed and all pulmonary diagnostic equipment. They maintain lab records. RRTs perform polysomnographic testing and titration studies including activities such as applying electrodes and various monitors to multiple body sites. They evaluate the relationship of events, sleep stages and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occurring during sleep. They anticipate problems likely to occur during the sleep study, prepare for such situations and make changes in established procedures. They obtain data measuring wake, sleep and breathing states and record various signals from the brain and airways, cardiac rate, oxygen saturation and position to enable the physician to assess and diagnose sleep and breathing disorders. RRTs troubleshoot and calibrate polysomnography, computer, oximeters, movement monitors and patient electrodes prior to the onset of each recording. They analyze and score patient data and summarize on report for physician interpretation. They monitor and initiate interventions for complications of testing and determines whether patient meets criteria for termination of testing. RRTs perform electroencephalogram and home sleep testing and evaluate results. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11 - Registered Respiratory Therapist.

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]