The Primary Purpose of the Position is: Ensure work is distributed amongst employees in accordance with workflow or job specialization in inpatient/outpatient areas. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Respiratory Therapy Department, Medical Service, VA North Texas Healthcare System.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Plans work schedules and the sequence of operations, and recommends and implements changes in work assignments to improve work, services, job satisfaction, etc. Provides administrative and technical advice to include: requesting computer access menus and providing training on the computer software systems for new hires, providing in-services on new respiratory therapy equipment and modalities, assisting with the development and verification of competencies, and developing educational training plans. Assist with maintaining and updating the educational database for the Section with the mandatory training requirements and credential renewals; making changes in the organization of work or assignments to meet patient care demands. Assist with defining standards for work to be accomplished and issue instructions and procedures for this accomplishment; assigning work based on employees' qualifications, difficulty and requirements of the assignment, and availability of resources; resolving technical work problems, including those not covered by precedents or established policies. Checks charts to ensure respiratory therapy orders are up to date. Administers assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters. Assist with developing plans for weaning patients from ventilators. Assess the respiratory status of the patients' using date acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment. Checks charts to ensure respiratory therapy orders are up to date. Administers assisted and controlled ventilation to patients with tracheotomies and other complex medical problems requiring frequent adjustments in ventilator parameters. Develops plans for weaning patients from ventilators. Assesses the respiratory status of the patients' using data acquired through physical observation and clinical analysis of blood gas data, chest x-rays, and electrocardiogram to determine the effectiveness of therapy being administered and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes in treatment. Arterial Blood Gas Samples and Analyzation Provides emergency or clinical respiratory care. Performs complex respiratory procedures. Analyzes arterial blood gases and ensures that data crosses over into the automated medical information systems. Follows universal precautions in dealing with blood and makes certain that the blood is disposed of properly according to Medical Center policy. Verifies that controls have been run each morning to make certain that machines are calibrated, and data reports are correct. Conducts training sessions with respiratory therapy students, hospital staff, patients, and family members. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 06:30pm-7:00am, days, nights, weekends, holidays Compressed/Flexible:Available 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

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. Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care. Physical Standards: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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). 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist, 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload. ii. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. iii. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. iv. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. v. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies. Preferred Experience: Prefer candidates with BS degree or higher. Two years of verifiable experience as a Charge/Lead RT. Prefer candidates with successful completion of VA Lead Cohart Program Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: All respiratory therapists will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. The respiratory therapist is expected to be able to move, lift, bend, and stoop while performing duties with equipment, supplies, and patients. Respiratory therapists must demonstrate the ability to handle stressful, challenging situations in a positive manner. Must be able to Moderately Lift and Carry 15-44 lbs.; reach above shoulders; to use fingers, both eyes, have depth perception; distinguish different shades of color; ability to hear (hearing aids permitted).

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/.

Accreditation Information: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by CoARC or its successor at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CoARC or its successor's website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]