Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) position is located in the Home Based Primary Care Program (HBPC) section of the Rehab and Extended Care Integrated Clinical Community (REC ICC) at the Chillicothe VAMC - Chillicothe - Ohio. The RRT position will provide in-home services to Veterans enrolled at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center and surrounding Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

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 Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (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
• At the GS-12 grade level the following certifications are desirable but not required: CPFT - RPFT or RPSGT
• English Language Proficiency: 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: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level - you must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and hold an active license and RRT credential
• Experience includes - but is not limited to the following: providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings - using data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met
• consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty
• manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means
• determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols - respiratory modalities - bronchoscopy - medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation
• monitor critical systems
• use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services - such as home ventilators and COPD case management
• suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment
• may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement
• serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff - and may lead projects developing new policies - procedures or protocols
• In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following knowledge - skills - and abilities (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: Preferred experience in home based primary care
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS 12
• Physical Requirements: The position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses for potentially long periods of time
• This may include walking - standing - stooping - bending - sitting - reaching - pushing - and pulling
• It may include moderate lifting/carrying - not greater than 35 pounds - following Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines
• Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting and seek assistance or use mechanical lifts for weights greater than 35 pounds - following Safe Patient Handling Guidelines
• Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties - distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely
• The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties - and the use of hearing aids is permitted
• The work will involve traveling between clinic sites and into veterans' homes
• The incumbent is occasionally asked to travel to a distant VA - training site or conference location
• This position requires operation of a government-owned or leased motor vehicle to properly carry out assigned duties
• A valid state-issued driver license is required - along with medical clearance by Employee Occupational Health
• Employee would be considered an Incidental Driver
• Incidental operators are employees - other than those occupying a position officially classified as a motor vehicle operator - who are required to operate a government-owned/-leased motor.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Assures accuracy of prescription - completion and selection of equipment requirement section of the consult - and completion of the patient plan of care - provide treatment planning and administration - medication education - oxygen renewal - and oxygen education in the home
• Provides in-home services to Veterans that present with a wide variety of multiple - complex chronic illnesses and/or profound disabilities to improve or maintain functional levels and encourage independence in the home
• Provides oversight and clinical review of the Home Respiratory Care Program according to VHA Clinical practice recommendations - and local policies and procedures
• Consults with clinical staff to establish prescriptions and equipment needs for home respiratory care
• Performs equipment troubleshooting - minor repairs - CPAP/BiPAP mask fittings - and equipment cleaning - calibration - and maintenance are required
• Initiates - evaluates - and educates on the use of respiratory devices
• Develops - administer - evaluate - reevaluate - and modify respiratory care plans in the acute/chronic home setting utilizing evidence-based medicine - protocols - and clinical practice guidelines to provide quality care
• Performs patient - family - and caregiver education as needed
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30 a.m
• to 4:00 p.m
• Telework: Ad-hoc telework available at the discretion of the agency
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 935530 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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