Registered Respiratory Therapist

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at Sheridan VA Medical Center serves as a clinical educator, responsible for developing & implementing policies & guidelines, recommending new & emerging modalities, performing complex analytical analysis, & managing day-to-day respiratory care operations & related fiscal activities. The incumbent builds clinics & clinical grids, conducts competency checks, & mentors both inpatient & outpatient RRT staff.

OXYGEN PROGRAM COORDINATION Responsible for monitoring & troubleshooting all modalities of home ventilators & oxygen delivery systems. Ensures annual oxygen qualification standards for patients are maintained. Trains RRTs, other staff &/or patients/caregivers on existing & newly acquired equipment, therapies & medications. Determines the continuing education needs of staff to identify appropriate resources to meet those needs. Ability to develop clinical policy, procedures, protocols, competencies, & simulations relative to respiratory care. Sets up & changes oxygen delivery devices & assures proper delivery of ordered liter flow or concentration. Maintains knowledge of respiratory drugs, appropriateness of therapy, patient's response to therapy, adverse drug effects, & proper drug dosage. Follows the National Directive for the Home Oxygen Program & participates in committees associated with the program. This includes site visits, home visits, & oxygen prescription renewals to ensure compliance with expired prescriptions. Coordinates with Prosthetic Services to ensure patient receives appropriate equipment services. Performs oximetry testing, exercise & resting, titrates oxygen liter flow for appropriate saturations & reports in main computer system. Provides oversight and supports a home oxygen program which will include ordering home oxygen evaluations, an expert level knowledge of VA oxygen qualification standards, & high-level familiarity of home oxygen modalities. Partners/coordinates with VA Contracting Officers as well as external vendors & suppliers of VA services to include home oxygen services. Assists physician staff in the management of patients on home ventilation modalities. PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTING Completes complex pulmonary function testing & stress/exercise testing. Treats acute complications during pulmonary function testing. Calibrates and troubleshoots pulmonary function testing equipment. Maintains and performs quality controls, biologic testing, & machine maintenance logs according to the ATS standards. Develops & implements policies &guidelines following ATS standards, make recommendations about new & emerging modalities. Maintains understanding of the PACT ACT & Burn Pitt Registry & requirements. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING Oversees the Electrocardiogram (EKG) & Cardiac Event Monitor program. This includes staff in the CBOC's, Specialty RN's, & RRT staff enrolling & placing monitors. Sets up & assists physicians in the performance of exercise tolerance tests, treadmills (Cardiac Stress Tests), according to policy & procedure. Performs pulmonary function testing including routine spirometry, flow volume loop & pre & post bronchodilator & diffusion studies. Responsible for the MUSE system to collect, store, review & manage EKG data. Provides input to clinicians to review, compare & interpret EKGs. Facilitates ordering, confirming & finalizing EKG's requiring follow up. HOME SLEEP TESTING: Performs basic HST (Home Sleep Testing) & communicates tests to Pulmonary Physician. This includes uploading tests along with overseeing RRT staff to ensure competencies & procedures are being followed. Troubleshoots sleep equipment & diagnostic monitoring data. Performs instruction for hook up of overnight oximetry testing for patient &/or patient caregiver; downloads data from oximetry, cleans the equipment, interprets oximetry test & reports findings in the main computer system. Sets up PAP therapy on patients, completes the order in the computer system, places supply orders, & performs downloads relaying findings. Sets up home oxygen for patients as ordered by physician; notifies vendor, completes order in computer system. Troubleshoots Somnoware & consult issues making sure to stay in compliance with telehealth agreement. Maintains telehealth & RCT service agreements. Downloads Noc Oximetry data uploads for provider interpretation. Works closely with the sleep physician sending out results letters & notifying patients of test results. Calls the patients & performs intakes on all sleep appointments. Exercises knowledge of home sleep testing & high-level interpretation knowledge & will coordinate with tele-health and follow the National Sleep Guidelines on professional interpretation of sleep studies & coordinate veteran care to external partners. Oversees the mailing program for overnight oximeters & sleep testing to ensure patient care is adequate. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: On an ad-hoc basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61618-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

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.