Summary The primary responsibilities and functions performed by the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)/Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) or Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) at the Wilmington VA Medical Center encompass diagnostic evaluation, assessment, and provision of patient care services to both inpatients and outpatients. This includes patient instruction, testing, equipment/computer setup and interface, troubleshooting, and preliminary interpretation. Responsibilities The incumbent must possess all the following knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist may be required to perform other duties, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, the needs of the department, and the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served. Essential functions are required to be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time for above full performance ratings PULMONARY FUNCTIONS:. Perform basic spirometry, pre/post bronchodilator spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion, plethysmography, and MIPs/MEPs in the lab, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results Compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for advanced pulmonary function tests (plethysmography and diffusion capacity) and be able to recognize normal/abnormal results Calculates, notes, and reports all pulmonary function parameters for physician interpretation. Performs quality controls, specimen analysis, daily maintenance, and simple troubleshooting for all pulmonary function testing equipment Maintains proper stocking of equipment within assignment areas and department Demonstrates knowledge of testing procedures utilized in the diagnosis and management of cardiopulmonary disease, including, but not limited to spirometry, lung diffusion capacity, lung volumes, respiratory muscle strength, bronchodilator administration, arterial blood gases (ABG), and pulse oximetry. CLINICAL COMPENTENCE: Identifies important information to be obtained prior to performing any diagnostic testing procedure, including patient identification, age, weight, gender assigned at birth, smoking history, race, pulmonary history, and current medications that may affect test or test results. Demonstrates ability to perform routine vital sign measurements, including heart rate, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, assessment of respiratory pattern and evidence of dyspnea or hypoxemia. Identifies indications, contraindications and hazards associated with procedures routinely performed in the outpatient pulmonary function testing lab, including, but not limited to oxygen administration, aerosol administration, spirometry measurements, lung diffusion capacity, lung volumes, respiratory muscle strength testing, pulse oximetry, and ABG puncture. Identifies critical information that must be communicated during testing procedures including, but not limited to providing directions at a level appropriate to patient understanding, ensuring patient understands the test purpose and directions, potential hazards or complications that may arise during testing and immediately afterwards COMMUNICATION/DOCUMENTATION: Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, families, coworkers, and other staff to provide exemplary care and service. Collaborates with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team to facilitate patient testing and appointment arrival, as needed. Ensures that complications or undesirable responses to treatment or testing are clearly documented with proper notification of the patient's provider. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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). Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary), GS-12 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: Hold an active license and RRT credential. Minimum of 1 year of creditable experience as a pulmonary function technologist Certification: must hold a. CPFT or b. RPFT Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing, exercise testing, metabolic testing, bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing. b. Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab. c. Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures. d. Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures e. Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. f. Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures. g. Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The position consists of sedentary and active tasks. Sedentary tasks include but are not limited to sitting at a desk, utilizing computer, and completing phone calls and charting. Active tasks include but are not limited to walking, standing, bending, steps, squatting, reaching above and below your head and carrying of light items such as books, papers, and equipment necessary for treatments. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.