Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography)

Description:

The incumbent demonstrates knowledge and ability to successfully perform duties listed within the scope of Respiratory Care - Sleep Medicine at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center. Incumbent will conduct sleep testing, review results, order therapeutic supplies/equipment, conduct sleep clinics, evaluate treatment effectiveness and make changes per protocol, enter orders, educate patients on equipment use/sleep hygiene, and report complicated issues to the designated provider.

Requirements:

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.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography).
i. Experience, Licensure and Credential.

Candidates must have:
a. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
b. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

ii. Certification. Candidates must hold a RPSGT.

iii. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data.
b. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment.
c. Skill in monitoring both physiologic and diagnostic parameters.
d. Skill in scoring data both during and post diagnostic testing.
e. Skill in analyzing data both during and post diagnostic testing.
f. Skill in preparing output for physician interpretation of data obtained both during and post diagnostic testing.
g. Skill in the assessment of oxygenation, ventilation and adverse responses.

iv. Assignment.
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. RRTs at this grade level in this position perform polysomnographic testing and titration studies including activities such as applying electrodes and various monitors to multiple body sites per protocol. They evaluate the relationship of events, sleep stages and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occurring during sleep. They anticipate problems likely to occur during the sleep study, prepares for such situations and makes changes in established procedures. They obtain data measuring wake, sleep and breathing states and records various signals from the brain and airways, cardiac rate, oxygen saturation and position to enable the physician to assess and diagnose sleep and breathing disorders. RRTs troubleshoot and calibrate polysomnography, computer, oximeters, movement monitors and patient electrodes prior to the onset of each recording. They analyze and score patient data and summarize on report for physician interpretation. They monitor and initiate interventions for complications of testing and determines whether patient meets criteria for termination of testing. They perform electroencephalogram and home sleep testing and evaluate results.

NOTE: Individuals who are hired to perform polysomnography only must be filled under the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography), GS-0649 qualification standard.

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).

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 :

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12.
(a) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must:

i. 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.
ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Preferred Experience: 2 years experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

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: