Registered Respiratory Therapist - Sleep Program

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist will support the Sleep Program by providing expertise and clinical knowledge on providing clinical services for patients on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP/BIPAP) - with knowledge in durable medical equipment (DME).

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements

• To qualify for appointment as an RRT - all applicants must possess the following: 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
• 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
• RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT
• These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as detailed in the VA Qualification Standard
• English Language Proficiency
• RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment detailed 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
• RRTs at the GS-09 grade level are responsible for the following under general guidance
• RRTs obtain - interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data
• RRTs 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
• They 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
• They establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met
• 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 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
• Preferred Experience: Prefer 1+ years of experience at the GS-09 level
• Sleep and DME experience preferrable
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
  
  

Duties

The Registered Respiratory Therapist provides care based on the physical - psychosocial - educational - and safety related criteria appropriate to the age of patients served in their assigned area

This entails knowledge of human growth and developmental ability to assess and interpret data and provide care

communication skills necessary to interpret response to treatment and ability to involve family/significant other in decision making related to plan of care

Duties and Responsibilities: Includes - but not limited to: The Registered Respiratory Therapist working in Sleep Program will provide expertise and clinical knowledge in providing clinical respiratory/sleep services for patients requiring CPAP/BIPAP in addition to knowledge in Respiratory DME

The incumbent independently assesses patient's needs - modifies mode of CPAP/BIPAP equipment based on changing medical conditions or due to noncompliance

The modalities/techniques used to meet individual compliance with CPAP may include but not limited to: desensitizing patient in use of CPAP/BIPAP - additional education on use of equipment - and different mask fittings to optimize patient care

Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to sleep disorders and other medical conditions which may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders

He/she is responsible for explaining the various procedures to the patient

Independently performs sleep monitoring on individuals with possible sleep apnea or other breathing related sleep disorders and/or arterial desaturations secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other medical conditions

Verifies correct instrument calibration and operation using established procedures

Identifies the cause of common problems and notifies engineering service when appropriate

Accurately assists with the order by physician - MSLT's MWTs - HSTs and prepares reports when assigned

Provides patient education during the performance of sleep

Obtains technical or factory assistance to utilize the equipment to its full potential

Utilizes sleep software: Care Orchestrator - ResMed Airview - HST - oximetry and CPAP/BIPAP compliance when assigned

Interacts with staff physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and may provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians

Keeps inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests in a timely fashion to avoid disruption of scheduled studies when assigned

In unusual circumstances can assist inpatient Respiratory Staff

Time in these inpatient areas will be <25% of total duty time

All other duties as assigned (ie: outpatient ABG - discharge nebulizer training - MDI training/patient education)

Work Schedule: FT - 730am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.