Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration•Sheridan, WY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at Sheridan VA Medical Center serves as a clinical educator and helps develop and implement policies and guidelines, recommend new and emerging modalities, conduct complex analytical analysis, and manage day-to-day respiratory care operations and related fiscal activities. The position builds clinics and clinical grids, conducts competency checks, and mentors inpatient and outpatient RRT staff. The RRT coordinates the home oxygen program, monitoring and troubleshooting home ventilators and oxygen delivery systems; ensuring annual patient qualification standards; training staff, patients, and caregivers; conducting oximetry testing; and coordinating equipment and services with Prosthetic Services, VA contracting officers, vendors, and suppliers. The role develops respiratory care policies, procedures, protocols, competencies, and simulations; supports home oxygen evaluations and prescription renewals; and assists physicians with patients using home ventilation. The position performs complex pulmonary function and stress/exercise testing, treats acute complications, calibrates and troubleshoots testing equipment, and maintains quality-control and maintenance records according to ATS standards. It also oversees EKG and cardiac event monitor activities, supports cardiac stress testing, manages EKG data through the MUSE system, and facilitates follow-up for EKGs requiring it. The RRT performs and oversees home sleep testing and overnight oximetry activities, including equipment setup and troubleshooting, data downloads and uploads, patient instruction and intake, PAP therapy setup, supply orders, and communication of results to patients and pulmonary physicians. The role maintains telehealth and RCT service agreements, supports compliance with applicable sleep guidelines and telehealth agreements, and coordinates veteran care with external partners. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is available on an ad-hoc basis; the position is not virtual. Work is primarily in outpatient care areas but may be inpatient or outpatient, with interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. The position may require travel to patients' homes and outreach clinics.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by CoARC or its successor.
A full, current, unrestricted state license to practice as an RRT, maintained for the duration of employment.
A valid, current, unrestricted RRT credential, maintained for the duration of employment.
One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, demonstrating the clinical competencies described for that level.
Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing.
Ability to maintain a quality-control program related to pulmonary function testing.
Ability to treat acute complications arising during pulmonary function testing.
Skill in performing polysomnographic studies, including obtaining physiologic and diagnostic data.
Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring.
Must satisfy applicable pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
Physical ability to walk, stand, bend, reach, stretch, lift and position patients, and carry, push, or pull objects weighing 15–44 pounds; driving to patients' homes and outreach clinics may be required.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a leadership, preceptor, educator, or supervisory role.
Three to five years of progressively responsible RRT experience, preferably in acute care; the posting also identifies five years of progressively responsible hospital-based clinical experience, including at least one year in a supervisory or education role.
NBRC RRT credential with additional specialty credentials, such as RPFT or COPD Educator.
Experience caring for complex populations, including veterans with COPD, ALS, spinal cord injury, or other complex comorbidities.
Experience in department improvement, protocol development, or policy writing.
Ability to collaborate across disciplines, serve as a subject-matter expert, or lead quality or safety initiatives.
Experience in the VA Healthcare System and with complex cardiopulmonary patients.
Advanced credentials such as Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS).
Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT), Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT), or Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) certification; desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Monitor and troubleshoot home ventilators and oxygen delivery systems, and ensure patients meet annual oxygen qualification standards.
Train RRTs, other staff, patients, and caregivers on equipment, therapies, and medications; identify staff continuing-education needs.
Develop respiratory care policies, procedures, protocols, competencies, and simulations.
Set up and change oxygen delivery devices, verify prescribed flow or concentration, and monitor respiratory medications and patient responses.
Follow the National Directive for the Home Oxygen Program and participate in related committees, site visits, home visits, and prescription renewals.
Coordinate with Prosthetic Services, VA contracting officers, and external vendors and suppliers to ensure appropriate home oxygen services and equipment.
Perform resting and exercise oximetry, titrate oxygen, and report results in the main computer system.
Order home oxygen evaluations, apply VA oxygen qualification standards, and assist physicians in managing patients on home ventilation.
Perform complex pulmonary function and stress/exercise testing; treat acute complications; calibrate and troubleshoot equipment; and maintain quality-control, biologic-testing, and maintenance logs to ATS standards.
Develop and implement pulmonary testing policies and guidelines and recommend new or emerging modalities.
Oversee the EKG and cardiac event monitor program, including staff enrollment and monitor placement.
Set up and assist physicians with exercise tolerance and cardiac stress tests according to policy and procedure.
Perform pulmonary function testing, including spirometry, flow-volume loops, pre- and post-bronchodilator testing, and diffusion studies.
Manage the MUSE system for collecting, storing, reviewing, and managing EKG data; provide input to clinicians and facilitate follow-up for EKGs.
Perform and oversee home sleep testing, upload tests, ensure staff competencies and procedures, and troubleshoot sleep equipment and diagnostic monitoring data.
Instruct patients or caregivers in overnight oximetry setup; download and interpret oximetry data, clean equipment, and report findings.
Set up PAP therapy and home oxygen as ordered, complete computer orders, place supply orders, download data, and communicate findings.
Troubleshoot Somnoware and consult issues, maintain telehealth and RCT service agreements, and ensure compliance with telehealth agreements and National Sleep Guidelines.
Coordinate sleep-test results and patient care with pulmonary physicians, patients, telehealth services, and external partners; oversee the mailing program for overnight oximeters and sleep testing.
Build clinics and clinical grids, conduct competency checks, mentor staff, and support quality and operational activities.

Benefits

Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
Annual leave accrual may be credited based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

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