Registered Respiratory Therapist

Oxygen Program Coordination

Responsible for monitoring & troubleshooting all modalities of home ventilators & oxygen delivery systems.

Ensures annual oxygen qualification standards for patients are maintained.

Trains RRTs, other staff &/or patients/caregivers on existing & newly acquired equipment, therapies & medications.

Determines the continuing education needs of staff to identify appropriate resources to meet those needs.

Ability to develop clinical policy, procedures, protocols, competencies, & simulations relative to respiratory care.

Sets up & changes oxygen delivery devices & assures proper delivery of ordered liter flow or concentration.

Maintains knowledge of respiratory drugs, appropriateness of therapy, patient's response to therapy, adverse drug effects, & proper drug dosage.

Follows the National Directive for the Home Oxygen Program & participates in committees associated with the program. This includes site visits, home visits, & oxygen prescription renewals to ensure compliance with expired prescriptions.

Coordinates with Prosthetic Services to ensure patient receives appropriate equipment services.

Performs oximetry testing, exercise & resting, titrates oxygen liter flow for appropriate saturations & reports in main computer system.

Provides oversight and supports a home oxygen program which will include ordering home oxygen evaluations, an expert level knowledge of VA oxygen qualification standards, & high-level familiarity of home oxygen modalities.

Partners/coordinates with VA Contracting Officers as well as external vendors & suppliers of VA services to include home oxygen services.

Assists physician staff in the management of patients on home ventilation modalities.

Pulmonary Function Testing

Completes complex pulmonary function testing & stress/exercise testing.

Treats acute complications during pulmonary function testing. Calibrates and troubleshoots pulmonary function testing equipment.

Maintains and performs quality controls, biologic testing, & machine maintenance logs according to the ATS standards.

Develops & implements policies & guidelines following ATS standards, make recommendations about new & emerging modalities.

Maintains understanding of the PACT ACT & Burn Pitt Registry & requirements.

Diagnostic Testing

Oversees the Electrocardiogram (EKG) & Cardiac Event Monitor program. This includes staff in the CBOC's, Specialty RN's, & RRT staff enrolling & placing monitors.

Sets up & assists physicians in the performance of exercise tolerance tests, treadmills (Cardiac Stress Tests), according to policy & procedure.

Performs pulmonary function testing including routine spirometry, flow volume loop & pre & post bronchodilator & diffusion studies.

Responsible for the MUSE system to collect, store, review & manage EKG data. Provides input to clinicians to review, compare & interpret EKGs. Facilitates ordering, confirming & finalizing EKG's requiring follow up.

Home Sleep Testing

Performs basic HST (Home Sleep Testing) & communicates tests to Pulmonary Physician. This includes uploading tests along with overseeing RRT staff to ensure competencies & procedures are being followed.

Troubleshoots sleep equipment & diagnostic monitoring data.

Performs instruction for hook up of overnight oximetry testing for patient &/or patient caregiver; downloads data from oximetry, cleans the equipment, interprets oximetry test & reports findings in the main computer system.

Sets up PAP therapy on patients, completes the order in the computer system, places supply orders, & performs downloads relaying findings.

Sets up home oxygen for patients as ordered by physician; notifies vendor, completes order in computer system.

Troubleshoots Somnoware & consult issues making sure to stay in compliance with telehealth agreement.

Maintains telehealth & RCT service agreements.

Downloads Noc Oximetry data uploads for provider interpretation.

Works closely with the sleep physician sending out results letters & notifying patients of test results. Calls the patients & performs intakes on all sleep appointments.

Exercises knowledge of home sleep testing & high-level interpretation knowledge & will coordinate with tele-health and follow the National Sleep Guidelines on professional interpretation of sleep studies & coordinate veteran care to external partners.

Oversees the mailing program for overnight oximeters & sleep testing to ensure patient care is adequate.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm

Telework: On an ad-hoc basis.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 61618-0

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.