Summary

Under the general supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care - the Home CPAP/Oxygen Therapist is responsible for the all activities related to the distribution of respiratory equipment and instruction of the patient and caregivers regarding the equipment and usage. The incumbent must have knowledge of the VA system and eligibility status including alternative community care providers such as Medicare. The employee must also maintain a working knowledge of TJC standards for home health.

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:

• Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• 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
• English Language Proficiency: applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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 above - applicants must meet the grade requirements below
• GS-11 Experience: Applicants must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 level
• In addition - 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
• Assignment: This assignment is the full performance level
• RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in inpatient and procedural areas (Operating Room and Bronchoscopy procedure)
• 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
• 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
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time
• frequent bending - reaching - stooping - and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus
• lifting - repositioning - safely moving patients (over 100 lbs.) with assistance as needed
• and pushing or pulling heavy objects (over 50 lbs.) such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator equipment - routinely lifting and carrying small equipment items (less than 50 lbs.)
• The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: ADMINISTRATIVE: Responsible to understand - interpret and comply with Respiratory Care Department and VAMC hospital policies - as well as all applicable laws and regulations - guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues
• Ensures that patient encounters are completed and closed out correctly in Vista/CPRS
• Maintains all appropriate records and documentation per policy Maintains accurate files of all patients in the Home Care Program per VAMC - TJC and Medicare guidelines
• Maintains patient records per Respiratory Care Department - Out-Patient and VAMC and confidentiality standards
• Follow all local and VHA policies and procedures (e.g. - VHA Directive 2006-055) dealing with access and utilization of the Scheduling Package and Advanced Clinic Access
• Responsible to evaluate all home care pulmonary equipment requests - i.e
• small volume nebulizer - suction equipment - etc to include the eligibility of the veteran patient for the equipment
• Assures that the required paperwork is processed to Medicare and/or VA Prosthetics' Department for Oxygen - CPAP/BIPAP - etc
• Responsible to coordinates oxygen deliver and set up of equipment with the private vendor's state and nationwide
• This includes the verification of the veteran patient's VA eligibility for disbursement of home care equipment
• Responsible as a liaison with community oxygen and health providers for home care pulmonary equipment inquiry to include working in conjunction with other VA facilities regarding travel and transfers issues
• Responsible to participate in the functions of the Medical Center Discharge planning committee as requested
• Assists the Respiratory Supervisor with Home Care Program quality assurance monitoring and/or review
• Ensure that the out-patient are scheduled and verifies clinical encounter data are closed out and follow-up on secure messages and patient calls in a reasonable time frame
• Coordinate for gaps in clinic or other patient coverage issues due to planned leave that are not dealt with ahead of time
• Informs or keep abreast to the Respiratory Supervisor - status regarding equipment - supplies or new training required as it arises
• Maintains patient files on all home care oxygen and CPAP patients
• Assures records are in the Home Care Office for easy reference
• Collaborates with management to develop and maintain a productive work environment and positive working relationship by - conducting daily activities - communications and interactions in a cooperative - positive - courteous and professional manner
• Consistently maintains complete confidentiality of all medical - financial - employees - computer or other sensitive material - which may jeopardize the privacy of others
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned
• CLINICAL: Responsible for Home Care Oxygen/CPAP Program management of all patients requiring Home Care Oxygen/CPAP equipment per VA policy
• Responsible to conduct a CPAP/BIPAP issue and proper care of equipment class to patients eligible and authorized this home equipment by the VAMC
• Responsible to educate veteran patients on other respiratory home care equipment issued to include svn's - oxygen safety and use - flutter valve - etc. - to patients eligible and authorized by the VAMC
• Responsible to download and maintain data entry from the CPAP/BIPAP \"smart card\" received from the patients authorized this home equipment by the VAMC
• Responsible to interpret the CPAP/BIPAP \"smart card\" and place the interpretation notes to include any problems noted
• Responsible to contact patient for any follow-up if indicated and place these notes as well into CPRS
• Responsible to check the accuracy of the CPRS consults and respond per VA policy
• Responsible to verify the patient's medical eligibility for home oxygen usage by VA and/or Medicare policy standards for authorization by assessing the respiratory status of patients using data acquired through physical observation - clinical analysis of blood gas data - and oximetry to determine the patient's eligibility per policy
• Responsible to perform arterial blood gas puncture - if applicable
• Accurately interprets data and reports any inappropriate results to physicians
• Responsible to participates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Responsible to delivers sputum specimens to the main laboratory following completion of a sputum inducement procedure
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am- 4:30 Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized