The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Supervisor will be assigned to and will be responsible for the day-to-day function of the Sleep Center including but not limited to the oversight of clinics, staffing, workload, competency, equipment & stock, etc. while ensuring regulatory guidelines are met. This position is in the Pulmonary Section of the Medical Service in the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. 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. English Language Proficiency. RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Registered Respiratory Therapist. Has a certificate as an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a registry number, or a certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent. This includes registration based on either: 1) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination administered by the NBRC since 1983, or 2) Having fulfilled the requirements and passed the registry examination for a registered inhalation or respiratory therapist administered by the (1) National Board for Respiratory Therapy from July 1974 through 1982 or American Registry of Inhalation Therapists from 1961 through June 1974. 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. 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-13 Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist Experience, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must:1) Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.2) 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: 1) Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program. 2) Ability to recommend improvements based on evaluation of facility operations. 3) Ability to supervise employees. 4) Ability to manage the fiscal aspects of the functions supervised. Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory RRTs manage and supervise the respiratory department which includes, at a minimum, assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff, resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment, evaluating new procedures, products and equipment, reviewing and recommending new and emerging procedures, providing instruction and training to new staff, interviewing candidates for positions, recommending selections, advancements and promotions, taking disciplinary action when necessary, providing guidance in more complex and non-standard cases and budget management. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees. They conduct audits of inpatient and outpatient records to ensure appropriate documentation of plan of care, assessments, therapy, procedures, clinical outcomes and patient safety. They provide information to the Chief to ensure appropriate care and compliance with regulatory standards. Supervisory RRTs maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives and quality assurance programs. They assist in determining quality assurance and compliance data to be collected. They attend professional meetings and professional development events and monitor the technical and clinical competence of all personnel working in the department through appropriate training, review of results and quality control checks. They evaluate the effectiveness of new procedures and equipment. They investigate quality and quantity of work problems and operating effectiveness and take needed action. Preference: Certification by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) or Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) from the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G11, Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Pushing/pulling up to 45 pounds, long periods of standing, walking and sitting with some bending. Manual dexterity, good vision and depth perception required. ["The Sleep Center Supervisor will assure the day-to-day function of the Sleep Department. Functions performed include but are not limited to the following: 1. Performing as a Sleep Technologist:- Knowledge and ability to perform all manner of sleep tests including polysomnography: Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT); Maintenance Wakefulness Test (MWT); CPAP, BIPAP and oxygen titrations; Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) and nocturnal pulse oximetry according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) practice parameters and clinical guidelines; and department policy and procedure.- Ability to prepare, calibrate, and test all equipment and knowledge to troubleshoot and report malfunctioning equipment; verify and maintain stock levels.- Knowledge and ability to score sleep records using the most current version of the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events: Rules, Terminology and Technical Specifications.- Knowledge and ability to perform all aspects of the equipment set-up including patient education, documentation, supply orders, prosthetics paperwork.- Ability to maintain a CPAP clinic including performing patient education, card download, recommendations for change, supply re-orders, appointment management for schedule, follow-up, encounters.- Assurance of patient education about procedures, follow-up, equipment, etc. for all clinics within the Sleep Center understanding that education is paramount for patient compliance.- Completes all documentation according to department policies and guidelines before the end of the scheduled tour. - Maintains exemplary communication with all healthcare services as needed to promote the safe and effective care of the veterans. 2. Managing the Daily Flow of Work:- The Sleep Center Supervisor will assign and modify workload to cover staffing changes so all patients are seen without reschedule, as possible and will oversee the completion of work by staff following policy and procedure.- Knowledge to act as the subject matter expert in Sleep and answer questions and give guidance as needed both in the sleep center and in the in-patient setting as needed.- Plans schedule and staffing for the Sleep Department and will follow appropriate guidelines for adjusting staff when needed ensuring patient care needs are met.- Provides education to subordinates, patients and families, and associated healthcare providers as pertains to the field of sleep medicine.- Uses a proactive approach in dealing with any customer complaints or issues and will resolve problems effectively and timely while keeping the Chief informed of any problems. Will ensure that all PATS complaints are resolved in the PATS system.- Will work with the sleep team to handle all unplanned patient needs with the goal to give the best customer service possible.- Communicates all problems, concerns and/or pertinent information involving daily work to the Chief of Respiratory/Sleep.3. Operational responsibilities:- Will assure that the Sleep Center delivers the highest quality of care to patients with sleep disorders by following all American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) clinical practice guidelines and practice parameters for the performance of all sleep lab testing and follow- up.- Continually remain compliant with all AASM standards of accreditation to include any changes or updates as they are developed. This will include assuring and participating in the accreditation renewal process every 5 years.- Contributes ideas, plans, and information to improve services. This involves assisting the team in the development and renewal of policies, procedures, competency assessments, QM/Pl, and other areas as necessary. This involvement is a continuum: from the idea, through implementation, through the associated quality review. Deadlines for completion of projects are agreed upon and honored.- Provides effective mechanisms for communication, both within the Sleep Center and between Sleep and other departments.- Supports an effective healthcare environment that follows The Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies.- When needed, will make sure that supplies are available and will follow up with product reps, logistics, general stores, etc. to locate supplies. If adding department supplies or equipment, VA guidelines will be followed, and best practices will be considered while maintaining fiscal responsibility when choosing best products.- Consistently participates in constructive information exchange via E-mail, informal discussions, and planned meetings.- Accepts and completes other duties as assigned by the Chief of Respiratory/Sleep to assure efficient daily operations. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.