The incumbent will be located at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System in the Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine (DHSM).The incumbent will provide support to both the Pulmonary Function Laboratory and Home Oxygen Program. The RRT will have multiple clinical and technical responsibilities for conducting, reporting and assuring high quality pulmonary testing, supportive patient interaction, and education of adult Veteran patients. They RRT will use data and patient assessments to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. Other duties will include, but are not limited to: A-Diagnostic Pulmonary Function Testing: Spirometry with and without the use of respiratory pharmacological agents Plethysmography method for Lung Volume Measurement Nitrogen washout method for Lung Volume Measurement Single Breath Diffusion Capacity measurement (DLCO) Draw and process Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Portable Spirometry (inpatient spirometry) Methacholine Challenge Testing Oxygen Evaluations, resting and dynamic B- Six minute walk testing C- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Physiologic Testing (VO2 Max Studies) D- Home Oxygen Evaluations E- Bronchial Provocation Testing F- Pulmonary Shunt Studies Work Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday of each week, 7:00AM-5:30PM or 7:30-AM-6:00PM Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
