Registered Respiratory Therapist - Sleep Program

<p>The Registered Respiratory Therapist will support the Sleep Program by providing expertise and clinical knowledge on providing clinical services for patients on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP/BIPAP), with knowledge in durable medical equipment (DME).</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The Registered Respiratory Therapist provides care based on the physical, psychosocial, educational, and safety related criteria appropriate to the age of patients served in their assigned area. This entails knowledge of human growth and developmental ability to assess and interpret data and provide care; communication skills necessary to interpret response to treatment and ability to involve family/significant other in decision making related to plan of care. Duties and Responsibilities: Includes, but not limited to: The Registered Respiratory Therapist working in Sleep Program will provide expertise and clinical knowledge in providing clinical respiratory/sleep services for patients requiring CPAP/BIPAP in addition to knowledge in Respiratory DME. The incumbent independently assesses patient's needs, modifies mode of CPAP/BIPAP equipment based on changing medical conditions or due to noncompliance. The modalities/techniques used to meet individual compliance with CPAP may include but not limited to: desensitizing patient in use of CPAP/BIPAP, additional education on use of equipment, and different mask fittings to optimize patient care. Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to sleep disorders and other medical conditions which may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders. He/she is responsible for explaining the various procedures to the patient. Independently performs sleep monitoring on individuals with possible sleep apnea or other breathing related sleep disorders and/or arterial desaturations secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other medical conditions. Verifies correct instrument calibration and operation using established procedures. Identifies the cause of common problems and notifies engineering service when appropriate. Accurately assists with the order by physician, MSLT's MWTs, HSTs and prepares reports when assigned. Provides patient education during the performance of sleep. Obtains technical or factory assistance to utilize the equipment to its full potential. Utilizes sleep software: Care Orchestrator, ResMed Airview, HST, oximetry and CPAP/BIPAP compliance when assigned. Interacts with staff physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and may provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians. Keeps inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests in a timely fashion to avoid disruption of scheduled studies when assigned. In unusual circumstances can assist inpatient Respiratory Staff. Time in these inpatient areas will be <25% of total duty time. All other duties as assigned (ie: outpatient ABG, discharge nebulizer training, MDI training/patient education). Work Schedule: FT, 730am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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 dentification 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. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. 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/.