The Shift Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist of Outpatient Respiratory Care Services is responsible for providing basic and advanced respiratory services to adults and geriatric patients at the VA Portland Health Care System. The incumbent plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures and must be able to operate equipment including the range of instruments needed to provide diagnostic Pulmonary Function Testing and Home Oxygen assessments.
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. 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: Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, 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. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload. ii. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. iii. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. . iv. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. v. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies Preferred Experience: o minimum two years of basic Pulmonary Function Testing experience. o Preferred experience = minimum two years of management/supervisory experience. o Preferred experience = possesses the ability to address, troubleshoot and initiate equipment maintenance and repairs o Preferred experience = In addition to RRT credentials it is preferred that the candidate holds either a CPFT (Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist) or RPFT (Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist) credential(s) Specialized experience" on top of the "Preferred Experience": o Specialized experience = minimum two years of experience performing complex pulmonary function testing protocols, i.e: CPET (Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Testing) and MC (Methacholine Challenge) o Specialized experience = minimum two years of experience working with mechanically ventilated patients both invasively and non-invasively. o Specialized experience = minimum two years of experience working with advanced airways Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute
General Description: The incumbent will be located at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). The incumbent reports to the Chief of Respiratory Care Services along with the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Clinical Director of Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine (DHSM). The Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care has staff authority of the overall functioning of the Inpatient Respiratory Care Department and reports to the Clinical Director of the Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine who reports to the Chief of Staff. The Shift Supervisor Registered Respiratory Therapist of Outpatient Respiratory Care Services is responsible for providing basic and advanced respiratory services to adults and geriatric patients at the VA Portland Health Care System. The incumbent plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including the range of instruments needed to provide diagnostic Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) and Home Oxygen assessments along with specialized equipment that is used in the care of patients with ALS and other advanced disease processes that effect the respiratory system. The incumbent must have demonstrated expert knowledge of respiratory therapy methods, equipment, and procedures and the ability to assume responsibility to plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate programs involving Outpatient Respiratory Care. The incumbent is responsible for day-to-day operations of the outpatient respiratory care department, including quality oversight, equipment calibration and maintenance, training/resource responsibilities with suppliers and patients, and perform as primary interface between providers, patients and vendors. The incumbent will oversee all work of the outpatient respiratory therapy staff. Duties include orientation and training of new outpatient respiratory therapists and providing guidance and technical direction to current outpatient respiratory therapists. The incumbent serves as the coordinator for workload distribution, ensuring adequate coverage in all clinics. The incumbent will act as the liaison between the outpatient respiratory therapists and the administrative managers. The incumbent will have the ability to provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff, including physicians, as well as the ability to manage employee schedules and patient appointment matrices. The incumbent will also oversee staff development and all educational and competency training and provide annual performance assessments. The incumbent is responsible for quality assurance and will actively shift supervisor Respiratory Care Service specific evidence-based improvement processes. Work Schedule: 10 hour tours (0530-1600), variable days. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized