Registered Respiratory Therapist

The Registered Respiratory Therapist provides VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) Geriatric and Extended Care (GEC) with Respiratory Therapy functions specific to Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), which includes the Home Oxygen Program, bedside spirometry, and BiPAP / CPAP and home ventilators and other respiratory related Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in the patients' homes. BASIC REQUIREMENTS To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following : 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. Exception. Not at this level 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 Requirements : TB / Immunization Assessment and Pre-employment physical English Language Proficiency. RTs / RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 7403(f). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply : Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those highergrade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and / or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in theoccupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and / or VA. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. All positions are designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below. Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) GS-11 Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment stated above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows : Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have : One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. GS-09 Clinical competencies; RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data; 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 through the use of appropriate mechanical means; Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation; Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. 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 collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. 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 policies, procedures or protocols. References : VA Handbook 5005 / 141 PART II APPENDIX G11, Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-0601, March 12, 2021 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. ["Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following : Home Oxygen Program Performs 6-minute walk testing without physician supervision and enters that data and pulmonary physician interpretation into the electronic medical record. Performs initial and recertification Home Oxygen evaluations in patients' homes and via telehealth equipment. Performs periodic site visits to the Vendor / Contractor. Notifies the VA Prosthetics Contract representative directly when deficits or other problematic issues involving the contracted vendor are noted. Performs home visits on patients in the Home Oxygen Program, evaluates durable medical equipment (DME), performs bedside spirometry, or addresses other respiratory issues. Serve as a member of the Home Oxygen Committee and present oxygen therapy related issues. Follows algorithms for Home Oxygen initial and renewal evaluations and titrations. Completes Home Oxygen prescriptions. Bedside Spirometry and Negative Inspiratory Force Performs Bedside Spirometry for Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), negative inspiratory force (NIF), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). Maintains the equipment, performs quality control and enters data results in the electronic medical record. Calibrates instruments. Evaluates spirometry with and without bronchodilator. Performs NIF / MIP / MEP. Performs peak flow. Calculates the results of pulmonary function tests. Enters Pulmonary Function Testing data for pulmonary physician interpretation into the patient's electronic medical record. Reruns tests on own initiative and devises acceptable techniques to accommodate patient. Evaluates patient reaction and data and makes decisions on what actions to take to remedy difficulties to improve accuracy of techniques or to control or compensate for adverse reactions. BiPAP / CPAP and Ventilator Equipment Verifies that BiPAP / CPAP and ventilator equipment are in working order. These evaluations do not substitute for the required maintenance evaluations by the contracted company. They will coordinate with VA prosthetics and the vendor for troubleshooting of equipment issues. Works closely with specialty physicians to ensure that orders are up to date and accurate and enters all DME data (inspiratory / expiratory pressure settings, Mask type and size, etc.) in the patient's electronic medical record. Notifies vendor of any equipment issues while ensuring patient safety at all times. Notifies vendor of needed replacement unites or supplies. Enters electronic patient data, documenting all procedures performed. Perform Home Oxygen, BiPAP / CPAP and ALS Ventilator in-home checks Drives to patient homes (home visits) to evaluate compliance, environment, and safety per VA requirements. Performs home visits on all ALS patients who live in the catchment area. Uses VA laptop to enter / complete notes, consults, forms, and documents concerns regarding the home environment including patient education, safety and patient compliance. Plans the driving route for home visits for maximal efficiency and patient satisfaction. Keeps accurate patient lists as per HBPC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments. Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, monitors, oxygen delivery devices, and oximetry monitors. Performs bedside diagnostic tests to assess the respiratory status of patients. Additional Duties Provides in-service trainings to other respiratory therapists, nursing personnel and personnel of patients' residences, other team members and other groups as needed, relative to types. Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 0800 to 1630 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not Authorized Paid Time Off : 37 days of annual paid time offer per year (13 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework : Not available Virtual : This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # : 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"]