Registered (RRT) Respiratory Therapists are responsible to provide appropriate levels of respiratory care to patients in the medical center for the treatment of sleep disorder breathing. Responsible to setup home diagnostic and therapeutic equipment as well as educate patients and caregivers on use of respiratory/sleep equipment in the home. Evaluate and adjust chronic oxygen requirements, and assess safety risk with home equipment. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. 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. 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: Lead 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. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient. 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 assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies. Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Lead RRTs are found in higher complexity facilities (level 1 and 2) and the lead duties must be regular and reoccurring and must constitute at lead 25% of the duty time. This assignment may be established as day/evening/night and/or inpatient/outpatient. They ensure work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Lead RRTs assure timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, assess the status, quality and progress of work and make day-today adjustments in accordance with established priorities. They provide clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for nonroutine or complex procedures. They assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. They study the quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and take or recommend needed actions. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings. Preferred Experience: 2 years of Critical Care/PAP Clinic experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/141 Part II Appendix G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate lifting (15-44lbs), pulling hand over hand, use of fingers, walking, standing, and repeated bending. Environmental factors are working in constant noise and working alone. ["Lead RRTs assure timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, assess the status, quality and progress of work and make day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. They provide clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for non-routine or complex procedures. They assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. They study the quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and take or recommend needed actions. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings. Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties The Respiratory Therapist evaluates the orders received and communicates directly with the ordering physician any noted concerns about the order. Based on the order, the appropriate procedure is performed after identifying the patient and providing education to the patient per protocol. Routine information is gathered about the patient pre and post procedure to access the effectiveness of the therapy. Respiratory Therapists must be proficient with home mechanical ventilators, drawing and interpretation of arterial blood gases, CPR, oxygen delivery devices, suctioning of the airway, CPAP and Bilevel therapies ,airway clearance maneuvers and proper infection control techniques. Utilized equipment includes ventilators, tracheostomy tubes, devices to improve efficiency of spontaneous cough as well as devices to facilitate the removal of pulmonary secretions, home testing devices, PAP devices and supplies. Therapist must be able to give general education regarding sleep disorder breathing and treatment. Must be proficient in management of sleep devices as well as alternative options. The Respiratory Therapist sets the equipment per order or based on evaluation and adjustment per Standing operating procedure. The therapist assesses proper functioning of equipment and provide basic adjustment/repair per manufacturer recommendations. The therapist evaluates the effectiveness of any interactions or therapy and documents in the medical record. Therapist ensures that appropriate infection control standards are followed to protect the patient, self, and others. The Therapist completes a medical record note for each patient encounter and provides updated clinical information regarding patient changes and tolerance of interactions performed. The therapist must complete required employee education programs each year. The therapist will need to be proficient in alternative forms of patient communications, such as telephone meetings, telemedicine, and skype meetings per VA protocol. The therapist will order supplies as needed for patients and assist with equipment resupply line as directed. The therapist must be able to work in-patient respiratory care or other needed respiratory care throughout VA Puget Sound as directed by the Chief of Respiratory Sleep, or Director of Pulmonary Medicine or designee. The therapist will assist with work environment cleanliness, will help stock supplies, and clean equipment as well as all other duties as directed by the Chief of Respiratory Sleep Program. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Available AD-HOC 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"]

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