Registered Respiratory Therapist (Program Coordinator)

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: 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. Grade Determinations: 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. Hold an active license and RRT credential. The following certifications are desirable but not required: Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certificate issued AARC AE-C awarded by the NAECB COPD Educator course offered by the AARC Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures. Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care. Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care. Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff. Ability to manage all aspects of a complex patient care program including day-to-day operation, training program resources and fiscal management. Assignments. 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. This assignment is designated as an RRT Program Coordinator, who oversees the administrative and clinical aspects of a major specialty program at complexity level 1 and 2 facilities only. Programs managed may include, but are not limited to; home oxygen, home ventilators, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinic, pulmonary procedure lab, sleep/positive airway pressure (PAP) clinic. RRTs may supervise and administratively manage employees assigned to their program(s) by providing leadership, direction, orientation, in-service training and continuing education programs for assigned staff. They perform analytical studies and interpret results to improve operations. They conduct all phases of service delivery, program resources and fiscal management. RRTs coordinate daily operations, develops and maintains policies and procedures for program operation and prepares reports and statistics for facility and Veterans Integrated Service Network use. They conduct a variety of audits, including clinical practice audits to evaluate operations and productivity and to ensure appropriate documentation of therapy, procedure, clinical outcomes and patient safety. They assist in determining quality and compliance data to be collected and investigates problems related to quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and recommends needed action. They make recommendations for program improvement and expansion based on research and emerging knowledge. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings. Preferred Experience: Experience working with Veteran’s Affairs Home Oxygen program. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. Sight corrected to 20/20 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other. Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Occasional heavy lifting 45 pounds or greater. Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds. Pushing 1 hour Reaching above shoulder Repeated stooping Repeated bending Occasional kneeling Prolonged Standing and walking Two hands with acceptable dexterity Ability to sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time. Possible exposure to body fluids is involved. Incumbent must possess and maintain a current unrestricted valid state driver’s license. The physical requirement varies with work assignments.
Respiratory Therapists assist in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of patients suffering from cardiac failure, asthma, emphysema, shock, pneumonia, and countless other disorders of the cardiopulmonary system. The Home Oxygen Program Coordinator assumes a high level of responsibility in coordinating and managing a large home oxygen program and, as necessary, provides education and guidance to staff therapists on clinical pathways of care and administrative processes.