Registered Respiratory Therapist

<p>This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The incumbent works in the Respiratory Department, under the supervision of the Supervisor, Respiratory Care Services at the Alexandria VA Healthcare System. Duties include, but not limited to: Serve on the Referral Coordination Team (RCT) and be responsible for reviewing all Sleep Study & Sleep Medicine consults for necessity and home sleep testing eligibility. Responsible for the independent evaluation of patients being treated for sleep disordered breathing. This requires an expert understanding of the variety of modalities used, including but not limited to CPAP, BiPAP (including non-invasive ventilation), non-PAP home ventilators, Mandibular Advancement Devices, positioning devices, and surgical treatments. Recognition of concomitant sleep disorders such as insomnia is necessary to identify barriers to successful treatment and to facilitate care coordination with sleep physicians, nurse practitioners, or sleep psychologists for follow up. Demonstrate proficiency in accessing data from patient PAP devices to analyze breath by breath flow or aggregate adherence and efficacy data to improve quality of sleep care being provided. Understanding of how to change settings on enabled devices remotely if required. Able to trouble shoot common reasons for PAP intolerance, including assessing chronic rhinitis, poor mask fit, claustrophobia, and perform appropriate interventions such as mask fittings, humidification system adjustments, pressure adjustments (with MD or physician extender approval). Education of patients and family members on sleep breathing disorders. Serve as the program expert and train Sleep RT and MIT staff on delivery of virtual CPAP and home sleep testing care. Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. Be responsive to and address all patient complaints related to sleep services. Where system issues are identified work with supervisor on correcting these barriers to care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (subject to change based on facility needs) Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00929F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact raja.kadeem@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. 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.