Registered Respiratory Therapist (CPAP)

<p>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.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>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</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>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/.