Summary As part of the Wilmington VAMC Health Care team, the full performance level of Registered Respiratory Therapist at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in outpatient setting and may implement direct respiratory care to an individual being treated by a licensed medical staff or under medical direction and approval consistent with standing orders or protocols of a health care facility. This care may constitute indirect services such as consultation or evaluation. Responsibilities Registered Respiratory Therapist (Home Oxygen Coordinator) Primary Responsibilities: Responsible for the complete assessment, recommendation, initiation, follow-up and education for all patients enrolled in the Home Oxygen program. Maintain prescriptions for all Veterans prescribed home Oxygen therapy by the Erie VAMC. Maintains a high-risk registry of all Veterans identified having a history of non-compliance. Subject matter expert (SME) and educate Providers and staff on all home Respiratory care modalities.in the home. Conduct in home visits assess vendor performance. Provide representation to the Home Respiratory Care Committee. Report metrics and events for the program to Erie VAMC leadership Participate in progress improvement projects and RCA events related to the utilization of the home oxygen program. SME for Joint Commission survey, OIG investigations and Home Care surveys. The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the full performance level assignment at the GS-12 level. An RRT may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below as needed. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served. Review, collect and evaluate relevant clinical data. Formulate an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment. Communicate changes, adjustments and recommendations with other healthcare team members. Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care. Provide effective education and training to patients, students and co-workers as appropriate. Perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Examples include but are not limited to: Arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, bronchoscopy assistance, pulmonary rehabilitation, endotracheal intubation, oxygen administration etc. Perform emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines. Actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities. Maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice. Assemble, check, and correct malfunctions and perform quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment. May serve as therapist-in-charge when assigned and/or in the absence of the Chief of Respiratory Care. Promote a patient centered environment, taking personal responsibility for problem solving and effective courteous communication with patients, their families, medical staff, students and co-workers. Provide patient care which is appropriate to the cultural, cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring. Perform home Oxygen evaluation/re-evaluation. Perform Pulmonary function testing. Provide patient instruction on sleep disorders and use of therapeutic equipment Maintain current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Assist the Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy in updating manuals and procedures (Participate, with supervisory staff direction, in updating manuals and procedures in compliance with VA directives) Work Schedule: 8:00 am-4:30 pm Monday- Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). 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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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: 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: Respiratory Therapist (GS-12 ) Experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of instructional techniques to educate respiratory therapists in proper performance of respiratory processes and procedures. ii. Ability to educate individuals of varying backgrounds. iii. Skill in training RRTs, other staff and/or patients/caregivers on existing and newly acquired equipment, therapies and medications. iv. Ability to determine the continuing education needs of staff to identify appropriate resources to meet those needs. v. Ability to develop clinical policy, procedures, protocols, competencies and simulations relative to respiratory care Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Individuals must be able to lift 30 pounds, assist patients with transfers or ambulation. The position requires several miles of walking per day within the health center and at times may require climbing several flights of stairs. There may also be occasional sedentary work where the therapist will be sitting for several continuous hours (that requires long periods of seated work.) Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.