This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/526424000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Pulmonary Rehab Specialist position is a member of the Pulmonary Rehab Interdisciplinary Team at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. The RRT Specialist is responsible for the care and treatment of patients referred to the Home Oxygen Program, Pulmonary Function Lab, and Bronchoscopy Suite.
03/06/2019 to 03/25/2019
$55,595 - $67,511 per year
GS 8
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Excepted
8
No
Yes
CBCC-10438590-19-EW
526424000
If you are a current permanent VA Pittsburgh Healthcare system employee you must apply to announcement CBCC-10438486-19-EW.
Some of the major duties assigned are but not limited to:
Therapist demonstrates advanced application of knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current professional therapy practice. He/she is responsible for the care and treatment of patients referred to the Home Oxygen program, Pulmonary Function Lab, and Bronchoscopy Suite, however, will spend the majority of his/her time working in the specialty area of pulmonary rehabilitation.
The position requires subject matter expertise of the lung anatomy and function with a firm understanding of disease process as well as the vocational, functional, and psychosocial implications related to pulmonary disease.
Therapist works with Medical Director, RN, Physical Therapist and other pulmonary rehab staff/team members to plan and execute treatment programs for male and female veterans aged 18-85+ years old to meet routine to mildly complex treatment objectives for the pulmonary rehab population.
Therapist uses a variety of standardized and non-standardized tests to determine skilled therapy needs. Primary evaluation instruments and/or procedures to may include, but are not limited to observation, interview and review of medical histories, risk, functional, dyspnea, exercise, and nutritional assessments, activities of daily living and work evaluations, and PFT and 6-minute walk testing.
Based on findings from the evaluation, Therapist assists in planning an effective and specialized treatment program that is appropriate and indicated for the individual veteran. In collaboration with team members, veteran and family/caregivers, Therapist establishes short and long-term goals and implements the treatment program, modifying the program as needed to achieve goals and to establish appropriate discharge plans. Therapist recognizes contraindications, precautions, and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by referring provider and consults with referring provider if these are in question.
Therapist coordinates and demonstrates ability to teach all components of the program, including lung anatomy and function, disease process, use of home respiratory and exercise equipment, pursed lip and diaphragmatic breathing, dyspnea and panic control techniques, energy conservation with activities of daily living, chest physiotherapy, secretion clearance, respiratory medications, role of oxygen therapy and portable systems, nutrition, stress management techniques, and smoking cessation.
Therapist may be required to assist in home oxygen evaluations and coordinate with the vendor on equipment set-up at home for the patient. This includes, but is not limited to, perform routine maintenance on the arterial blood gas analyzer, educating patients on the use of oxygen concentrators and oxygen conserving devices, ordering/providing compressor and supplies necessary for tracheal humidification and medication delivery via tracheostomy, instructing patients on the proper use of various types of MDI medication.
Additional Duties as needed:
1. Manages patient databases in compliance with privacy standards and mandates.
2. Compiles and interprets data and provides Supervisors with statistics related to program trends, utilization, outcome measures, and related reports/updates as requested.
3. Recommends items for purchase that aid in diagnosis, treatment, education, and prevention. Ensures proper supply inventory levels are maintained and that the program remains within budget.
4. Independently works to identify and overcome barriers to optimal service delivery that interfere with beneficiaries receiving care within expected timeframes, quality, and customer service.
5. Works with support staff to schedule patient visits and coordinating visits with patients, administrative staff, and or clinic assistants.
6. Fields applicable calls to and from veterans, staff, vendors, etc., for purposes of information sharing, complaint resolution, scheduling/canceling and related topics.
7. Maintains safe and orderly clinic environment. Assures cleanliness, maintenance, repairs, inventory control, and successful operation of all assigned equipment and operational supplies.
8. Participates in developing Quality Improvement (QI) indicators, conducts QI audits and shares responsibility for QI minutes.
9. Shares ideas and concerns regarding the clinic with supervisor.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/25/2019 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10438590.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/526424000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?