Duties
Preferred Experience:
The Outpatient Home Sleep Lead should have extensive knowledge of Somnoware and its direct clinical integration with Non-Medical home sleep testing equipment.
- Entering, collecting and downloading patient test results following home sleep procedures using Somnoware and ResMed AirView
- Independently evaluating patients with suspected or diagnosed sleep related breathing disorders
- Reviewing sleep study results, therapy data, and treatment compliance
- Titrating positive airway pressure settings in accordance with established clinical protocols
- Downloading and interpreting PAP device data
- Assessing mask fit and fitting patients with the most appropriate interface device
- Providing patient education on sleep health in alignment with current evidence-based medical practices
- Developing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) that support staff competency and are consistent with established hospital policies and applicable Joint Commission standards.
- Coordinating clinical workflows and supporting effective outpatient sleep-services operations
- Experience managing a high-volume outpatient workload with limited direct supervision. Demonstrated a proficiency in independently troubleshooting Somnoware and implementing national directives.
Work Schedule :Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4pm
A compressed work schedule may be available after completion of orientation and competency validation.
Employees may also be required to work alternating weekends and holidays and may be rotated among clinic locations based on facility needs and training requirements.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
- Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information.
- 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.
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:
- Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
- Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
- Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution.
- Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions.
- Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies
Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Lead RRTs are found in higher complexity facilities (level 1 and 2) and the lead duties must be regular and reoccurring and must constitute at lead 25% of the duty time. This assignment may be established as day/evening/night and/or inpatient/outpatient. They ensure work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Lead RRTs assure timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, assess the status, quality and progress of work and make day-to- day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. They provide clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for non- routine or complex procedures. They assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. They study the quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and take or recommend needed actions. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings.
Preferred Experience:
Three or more years of recent respiratory therapy experience in an outpatient setting.
- A Registered Respiratory Therapist as defined by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) with Current State License required.
- Have one year or more of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. It is highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties.
- Maintains a current CPR (BLS). Advanced Cardiac Life Support is recommended.
- Maintains current proficiency and competency standards for the outpatient service group.
- Proficient in operating all Outpatient Patient Respiratory equipment.
- Ability to speak with providers, patients, caregivers, and family professionally.
Preferred Experience: Proficient with Home Sleep Testing, including patient setup and education, equipment handling, study downloads, evaluation of technical adequacy, and troubleshooting. Entering collecting /downloading data of patients results following procedures utilizing Somnoware/ ResMed Air view. Independently evaluate sleep related breathing disorders patients, titrate pressures, download data, review compliance and fit patients with appropriate interface devices to achieve the physicians' therapeutic goals. Performing arterial blood gases sampling, analysis, interpretation, and intervention. Performing pulmonary function testing which includes, calibration of equipment, performing various diagnostic tests including Spirometry, Single Breath Diffusion (DLCO), Plethysmography (VTG), MIP/MEP, supine spirometry for ALS/Neuromuscular testing. Virtual CPAP and home sleep appointments. Setting up portable and downloading home sleep results. Unboxing and preparing PAP equipment for daily distribution.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy above the full performance level of this series. The higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Physical Requirements:
Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
- Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over
- Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over
- Pushing
- Reaching above shoulder
- Use of fingers/ Both hands required
- Walking/ Standing /Kneeling
- Repeated bending
- Climbing, legs only Both legs required
- Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
- Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
- Both eyes required
- Ability to distinguish basic colors
- Hearing without aid
Working Conditions: Work is performed in all patient care areas; (in-patient and outpatient):
- In-patient areas of the James A Haley Veterans Hospital are on a 24/7 basis, with staff working within an established group (7:30am-1600pm, 15:30pm-Midnight, 11:30pm-8:00am or approved compressed work schedule). All staff will be required to work weekends and holidays on a fair and equitable basis within a group per the Master and Local agreement. `
- Out-patient areas will be covered on all and extended duty days. Management of staff in the clinics will ensure effective and efficient coverage of areas. Staff will rotate to weekends and holidays as needed after all clinic assignments are covered. HRCP will be covered on all and extended duty days (0600-1800). Management of staff in HRCP will ensure effective and efficient coverage of catchment areas. Staff will rotate On-Call for coverage while office is closed on a fair and equitable basis. All affected employees tour of duty would be adjusted for the purpose of orientation, development, and evaluation.
Education
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- License
- Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.