Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist

The duties and responsibilities of the Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist include but are not limited to the following:

Clinical Duties- 75%

• Providing supporting clinical information necessary for the prescribing provider to complete the order.
• Ensuring patients are educated on the use of home oxygen by clinical staff or contracted vendor including risks involved harm reduction measures and other responsibilities associated with receiving oxygen equipment.
• Following up with new patients within 3 months to ensure the patient still meets criteria for home oxygen therapy to include adherence to clinical and safety practices.
• Reporting incidents that occur in the outpatient sector for patients on home oxygen therapy to the VA medical facility Director and VA medical facility Patient Safety Manager (or facility equivalent) and complying with relevant Patient Safety Alerts.
• Ensuring coordinated care for traveling Veterans receiving home oxygen.
• Monitoring to ensure patients are provided timely and effective care as prescribed and communicating concerns associated with the delivery of home oxygen to the prescribing provider.
• Collaborating with COR on clinical issues as a clinical resource person.
• Outpatient clinic duties include managing and monitoring all Respiratory DME. Including (CPAP/ APAP/ BiPAP/ BiPAP AVAPS/ BiPAP Auto SV).
• Perform patient assessment of their respiratory status by listening to breath sounds observing color of skin for signs of cyanosis performing pulse oximetry measurements looking at x-ray and lab results.
• Assisting in Code Blue emergencies.
• Perform patient assessment of their respiratory status by listening to breath sounds observing color of skin for signs of cyanosis performing pulse oximetry measurements looking at x-ray and lab results.
• Place notes in Gerner and/or use established templates and appropriate systems to document procedures done in support of patient care.
• GREC Daily Huddle
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• Daily assignments
• Scheduling
• Timekeeping
• PATs
• JPSR
• sos
• FDA recall
• Monthly checks and reporting (AED Department safety rounds etc)

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Basic Requirements:
United States 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. 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 NBRC credential of RRT.

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: Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist GS-12
Experience Licensure and Credential. Candidates must:
i. Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient.
ii. 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:
i. Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
ii. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
iii. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution.
iv. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions.
v. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies

Assignment:For all assignments above the full performance level the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Lead RRTs are found in higher complexity facilities (level 1 and 2) and the lead duties must be regular and reoccurring and must constitute at lead 25% of the duty time. This assignment may be established as day/evening/night and/or inpatient/outpatient. They ensure work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Lead RRTs assure timely accomplishment of the assigned workload assess the status quality and progress of work and make day-to- day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. They provide clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for non- routine or complex procedures. They assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. They study the quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and take or recommend needed actions. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings.

Preferred Experience: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with 5 years of experience.

References: VA Handbook 5005/141 Part II Appendix G11 March 12 2021

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting/Carrying (15-44lbs.); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Working closely with others; Working alone.