A pulmonary function test (PFT) technician is a RRT that is responsible for providing direct, safe, appropriate and effective pulmonary function testing and care to patients in accordance with patient needs, current standards of pulmonary medicine practice, physician's orders and organizational policies under the direction and supervision of a physician. Accountabilities: Delivers safe, direct care to an assigned group of patients. Works within system and department policies.
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. Basic Requirements: 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. English Language Proficiency: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Certification. Incumbent must hold a Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or a Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing, exercise testing, metabolic testing, bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing. Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab. Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures. Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures. Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11, dated April 15, 2002 and Appendix G27, Appendix J, dated March 17, 2006. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift to 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 sedentary work where the therapist will be sitting for several continuous hours.
Assess the respiratory status of patients using: Observation of patient pulse, respirations, and breath sounds; Recognition of abnormal arterial and venous blood gas reports Recognition of abnormal cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring Recognition of abnormal breathing patterns, e.g. Kussmal or Cheyne stokes Recognition of lidocaine toxicity during diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures Sets up, calibrates, troubleshoots and monitors complex respiratory equipment such as, but not limited to advanced pressure and volume ventilators. Administers Therapeutic modalities including Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV), and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP). Sets up, troubleshoots, performs daily calibrations, maintains detailed quality control programs to include biologic studies which meet American Thoracic Society (ATS) standards and monitors complex Pulmonary Diagnostic equipment such as fully digitally integrated computerized PFT systems and high pressure gas cylinders. Administers all standard pulmonary function testing to gather data for use by physician in diagnosis and treatment of a variety of conditions, such as spirometry with and without bronchodilator (including bedside), flow volume loops, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, measurements of respiratory muscle strength, indirect calorimetry, shunt study, obtain arterial blood gases, insert arterial line for serial sampling, administer 6 minutes walk test, ambulatory oxygen test, stair climbing test, etc. Sets up, troubleshoots, calibrates, and monitors complex diagnostic bronchoscopy equipment such as, but not limited to advanced video bronchoscopes, video processors, digital light sources, digital color printers and mobile LED intubation video bronchoscopes, endobronchial ultrasound with bronchoscope, radial probes, medical thoracoscope, cryotherapy system, rigid bronchoscopy system Assist bronchoscopies. Assist advance diagnostics including EndoBronchial Ultrasonic (EBUS) biopsies, Radial EBUS Biopsies, Cryo biopsy with Arndt Endobronchial Blocker sets, Medical Pleuroscopy, Laryngoscopy. Assist Interventional Pulmonary therapeutics procedure: Assesses the effectiveness of the ventilation management being administered, and makes recommendations to physicians regarding possible changes in treatment. Participates with medical staff in treatment planning for respiratory patients. As appropriate, adjusts ventilator parameters to bring about a change in the patient's dependence on ventilators. Provides oxygen and life support to patients during cardiac and/or respiratory emergencies. Assists the physician with basic and complex intubation and extubation procedures. Performs various procedures to control and maintain artificial airways, i.e. tracheal lavage, endotracheal tube and tracheostomy care. Draws blood gas samples and recommends potential changes based on results of analyses. Performs and/or assists physicians with tests and studies Documents patient care and/or procedures performed in digital medical records, on worksheets, and/or in digital logs, as appropriate. Plans and conducts in-service education and/or training for hospital staff, students, patients, and families. May be required to function as a shift leader or sole responsible respiratory therapist on shift. Coordinates work load of lower grade therapists when appropriate. Cleans, check, and calibrates equipment used for respiratory care and diagnostic studies. Maintains work area, storage areas, special procedure rooms, crash carts and medical supply inventories. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized