Career Center

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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
• Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above in paragraph 4 a-g and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment
• All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title - as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment: Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-12
• The following assignments are advanced assignments
• These advanced specialty assignments are limited in number and cannot be used for all or the majority of the staff/employees in the service/unit
• The designated specialized areas in respiratory care include pulmonary - polysomnography and a combination of pulmonary/polysomnography
• These three advanced specialized assignments are established for facilities where the structure and patient care supports the need for the assignment(s)
• The duties and responsibilities assigned to these positions are the full scope of the duties defined under the RRT - GS-11 full performance level assignment in conjunction with the duties defined below for the specialty
• These specialized assignments are completed under the general supervision of a physician medical director who is qualified to supervise the RRT
• Individuals assigned to one of these positions will use the designated title as shown below
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary)
• 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
• Certification
• Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing - exercise testing - metabolic testing - bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing
• Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab
• Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures
• Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures
• Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures
• Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures
• Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures
• Assignment
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• RRTs at this grade level in this position compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for complex pulmonary function testing (PFT) and recognizes normal/abnormal results
• They perform bronchoprovocation testing utilizing a variety of medications or methodologies
• They monitor patients and recognize and initiate interventions for complications of testing
• They perform an initial quality review of test results and ready them for physician interpretation and determine whether the patient meets the criteria for termination of testing
• RRTs conduct quality control reviews of all tests performed and all pulmonary diagnostic equipment
• They maintain lab records
• They train and assess staff competencies in performing simple spirometry
• References: VA Handbook 5005 PART II APPENDIX G11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The primary responsibilities and functions performed by the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)- Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) in the New York Harbor VAHCS encompass diagnostic evaluation - assessment - and provision of patient care services to both inpatients and outpatients
• This includes patient instruction - testing - equipment/computer setup and interface - troubleshooting - and preliminary interpretation
• Duties and Responsibilities - include but are not limited to the following: The primary responsibilities and functions performed by the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)/Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) or Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) in the New York Harbor VAHCS encompass diagnostic evaluation - assessment - and provision of patient care services to both inpatients and outpatients
• This includes patient instruction - testing - equipment/computer setup and interface - troubleshooting - and preliminary interpretation
• The incumbent must develop skills through literature review of pulmonary medicine which include recognizing reproducibility of maneuvers and preliminary interpretation of diagnostic information
• The Incumbent contributes ideas - plans and information to improve outpatient respiratory services
• The incumbent must develop skills through literature review of pulmonary medicine which include recognizing reproducibility of maneuvers and preliminary interpretation of diagnostic information
• The incumbent administers routine and special pulmonary function testing
• The Incumbent adheres to established standards of practice and exercises sound clinical judgment
• Performs diagnostic evaluation including
• Spirometry Before and After Bronchodilator - Lung Volume Determinations - Diffusing Capacity Determination - Slow Vital Capacity measurement - Maximum Voluntary Ventilation - and measurement of Airway Resistance and Conductance - arterial blood gas interpretation - this includes patient instruction - testing - equipment/computer setup and interface - troubleshooting - and preliminary interpretation Monitors and evaluates patient performance during procedures and evaluates' response to PFT and recommends changes based on information obtained Provides patient with clear - concise instructions and coach the patient to achieve the best - reproducible results Plans - provides and maintains a safe environment for patients - staff and families Provides consult service at the request of nursing staff or physician Provides recommendations to the physician based on assessment/evaluation of patient Maintains knowledge of emergency airway management - pulmonary pharmacology and oxygen administration Recognizes changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately and communicates with other members of the healthcare team when changes in condition occur Ensures equipment and supplies are available for use Participates in Continuous Improvement initiatives - monitors compliance within the PFT clinic area Resolves technical work problems with the aid of references - such as manuals - troubleshooting guides - and other reference sources Provides accurate - legible and complete documentation of patient care delivered and response to therapy Provides quality control oversight to the personnel performing spirometry in the CBOCs Acts as liaison to providers for testing performed - equipment - supplies and requests for special services Recommends changes in the PFT Lab to improve services and patient care Assists with completion of department paperwork Assists in planning and implementing effective educational programs for in-services - orientation - continuing education - and other personnel training in the PFT Lab Performs Home Oxygen Assessments when covering CPAP clinic - supports CPAP clinic and serves as Registered Respiratory Therapist to meet departmental needs
• The incumbent is under the administrative supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care and the Medical Director of the Sleep/Pulmonary Physician
• Work assignment will depend on our outpatient schedule appointment and walk-in patients
• The incumbent is responsible for receiving and completing consults - seeing all scheduled patients and coordinating with the scheduler
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 11356F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contac the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized