This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA EDRP program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

The ability to function in both a team leader and educator to the In-patient RRT Staff. Knowledgeable on all new modalities of therapy and out of OR advanced Airway Care, mechanical ventilation procedures, and patient care and assessment teaching. 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. Ability to coordinate a home oxygen program which will include ordering home oxygen evaluations, an expert level knowledge of VA oxygen qualification standards, and high-level familiarity of home oxygen modalities. Assist physician staff in the management of patients on home ventilation modalities. Knowledge of home sleep testing and high-level interpretation knowledge and will coordinate with hub facilities on professional interpretation of sleep studies and coordinate veteran care to external partners. Oxygen Program Coordination Responsible for setting up, monitoring, and troubleshooting all modalities of home ventilators (invasive and non-invasive) and oxygen delivery systems. May ensure annual oxygen qualification standards for patients are maintained. Follows Respiratory Driven Protocols 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. Skill in training RRTs, other staff and/or patients/caregivers on existing and newly acquired equipment, therapies, and medications. Ability to determine the continuing education needs of staff to identify appropriate resources to meet those needs. Ability to develop clinical policy, procedures, protocols, competencies, and simulations relative to respiratory care. Sets up and changes oxygen delivery devices and assures proper delivery of ordered liter flow or concentration. 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. Maintains current training in Basic Cardiac Life Support (American Heart Association) and Advanced Cardiac Life-Support DIAGNOSTIC TESTING/PULMONARY FUNCTION/HOME SLEEP TESTING: Performs arterial blood gases and able to recognize critical results and alert physician and RN within established Laboratory Policy. Ability to assess patient's respiratory status using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis. Performs Cardiac Monitoring with Zio Patch with proper placement and performs teaching to the patient regarding testing and equipment. Performs basic HST (Home Sleep Testing) and communicates tests to Pulmonary Physician for interpretation. Assists physician in the performance of exercise tolerance tests (Cardiac Stress Tests), according to policy and procedure. Performs pulmonary function testing including routine spirometry, flow volume loop and pre- and post- bronchodilator studies. Performs oximetry testing, exercise and resting, titrates oxygen liter flow for appropriate saturations and reports in main computer system. Performs instruction for hook up of overnight oximetry testing for patient and/or patient caregiver. Sets up CPAP Auto-Titrate studies on patients, downloads and interprets data, relays to physician findings of CPAP Auto-Titrate. Sets up home oxygen for patient as ordered by physician; notifies vendor, completes order in computer system. Sets up and instructs on Home CPAP/BiPAP as ordered by physician, notifies vendor, completes order in computer system. Identifies continuing education and training needs within the respiratory department. Assumes responsibilities to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate programs involving respiratory care for the benefit of patients and the other disciplines within the health care facility. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide emergency or critical respiratory care; performs complex respiratory procedures. Work Schedule: Schedule will vary, alternating nights, weekends and holidays as necessary for coverage. Telework: Not Authorized Functional Statement #: 55011-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship- Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. 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. AND 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. AND 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:GS-12 Experience- Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. GS 11 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. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new 9 policies, procedures or protocols. AND Hold an active license and RRT credential. AND 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. Preferred Experience: More than 2 years experience in the field. Recently worked in the ICU with a good knowledge of critical care. Can place arterial lines, intubate, independent with ventilators, and understands outpatient clinics. Has experience in writing policies, procedures, and competencies. 2 years of experience of managing work assignments. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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]