Registered Respiratory Therapist

Job Title

Respiratory Therapist

This position provides VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) Geriatric and Extended Care (GEC) with Respiratory Therapy functions specific to Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), which includes the Home Oxygen Program, bedside spirometry, BiPAP/CPAP and home ventilators and other respiratory related Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in the patient's home. The respiratory therapist is a key team member in caring for Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Drive to patient homes (home visits) to evaluate compliance, environment and safety per VA requirements.
• Perform home visits to all ALS patients who live in the catchment area.
• Plan the driving route for home visits for maximal efficiency and patient satisfaction.
• Keep accurate patient lists as per HBPC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Perform home Oxygen Program
• Perform bedside Spirometry and Negative Inspiratory Force (NIF)
• Instrument calibration.
• Spirometry with and without bronchodilator evaluation.
• Perform NIF/MIP/MEP.
• Perform peak flow.
• Calculate the results of the above pulmonary function tests.
• Entry of Pulmonary Function Testing data for pulmonary physician interpretation into the patient's electronic medical record.
• Evaluates patient reactions and data and makes decisions on what actions to take to remedy difficulties to improve accuracy of techniques or to control or compensate for adverse reactions.
• Verify that BiPAP/CPAP and ventilator equipment is in working order.
• Notifies vendors of any equipment issues while always ensuring patient safety.
• Notifies vendor of needed replacement units or supplies.
• Enter electronic patient data, documenting all procedures performed.
• Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments.
• Performs bedside diagnostic tests to assess the respiratory status of patients.
• The RRT provides regular on-going in home quality oversight of the VA contracted provider and coordinates with the VA contracting officer if deficiencies are detected.

Work Schedule:
Monday Through Friday 08:00am - 04:30pm

Telework:
Ad-hoc only

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00678-F

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact: VHAV
21CC
OEEDRP, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more