Registered Respiratory Therapist - (Pulmonary)
What you'd do
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) position is located in the Medicine/Respiratory Care section of the West Palm Beach Healthcare System. Functioning at the GS-11 grade level, this non-exempt, non-supervisory professional manages and evaluates care within the Pulmonary PAP Clinic. The primary focus is treating veterans with respiratory disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea and related cardiopulmonary diseases.
Major duties
The core responsibility of this role is serving as a clinical liaison between pulmonary medical providers, veterans, and external equipment vendors. The therapist conducts clinical assessments, focused history takes, and physical examinations to evaluate treatment responses and compliance. Central to the position is downloading, tracking, and analyzing remote data from home CPAP and Bi-level devices to resolve compliance issues and educate families. Additionally, the therapist maintains a computerized tracking database of patient demographics, equipment, and annual consultations. Beyond the clinic, the incumbent remains fully proficient in emergency settings, responding as a member of the rapid response team and performing advanced life support, blood gas sampling, and endotracheal intubation. The therapist also ensures equipment is decontaminated, properly maintained, and safe for home use. Primary Duties, but not limited too: Clinical Assessments: Conduct clinical assessments, focused histories, and physical examinations of veterans with respiratory disorders to evaluate response to therapy. Clinic Liaison: Serve as the clinical liaison between clinicians, patients requiring home PAP units, and outside contracted vendors. Compliance Data Monitoring: Set up diagnostic studies, download, and interpret compliance data from remote respiratory and CPAP/Bi-level monitoring software. Compliance Interventions: Apply targeted instructional techniques and education to assist patients experiencing compliance issues with their devices. Provider Collaboration: Review and evaluate indications or contraindications for PAP therapy and notify providers of changes or failures to meet VHA criteria. Database Management: Maintain an accurate computerized database containing demographic data, diagnoses, historical medical data, and active equipment prescriptions. Emergency Response: Perform as an active member of the rapid response team, providing BLS, ACLS, and advanced airway management including endotracheal intubation. Diagnostic Sampling: Draw and analyze arterial or venous blood gas samples on an as-needed basis per provider orders. Equipment Troubleshooting: Assemble, clean, and troubleshoot respiratory equipment, including oxygen delivery, aerosol therapy, and lung expansion devices. Home Safety Education: Educate patients and caregivers on post-acute home safety, including oxygen fire prevention, electrical safety, and equipment infection control. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 41760F Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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: 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. 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. Licensing within the respiratory occupation is outside of the credentialing process. Those who have obtained their degree from an accredited program in respiratory care and hold a CRT or RRT credential may be granted a license from a state. Credential. In the field of respiratory care there are two types of credentials granted in the credentialing process to becoming registered as defined below: CRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, Respiratory Therapists (RT) are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of CRT by the NBRC. RTs who hold a CRT credential are limited in duties and responsibilities and differ from those who hold an RRT credential. RRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, RTs are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of RRT by the NBRC. 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, 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 (Full Performance Level) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: a. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. b. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Certification. Candidates must hold a CPFT or RPFT and RPSGT. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include cardiopulmonary stress testing, metabolic testing and bronchoprovocation testing. b. Ability to maintain all equipment related to pulmonary function and polysomnography testing. c. Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function and polysomnography testing. d. Knowledge of treatment for acute complications for all pulmonary function and polysomnography testing. e. Skill in scoring data during and post diagnostic testing. f. Skill in analyzing data during and post diagnostic testing. g. Skill in preparing output for physician interpretation of data obtained both during and post diagnostic testing. h. Skill in the calibrations and troubleshooting of polysomnographic equipment. i. Skill in monitoring both physiologic and diagnostic parameters. Preferred Experience: Submission of Performance Appraisal 1 - 2 years respiratory care experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. Physical Requirements: See VA HANDBOOK 5005/141
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