RESPIRATORY THERAPIST - RRT - Sleep Medicine FT [0337]

Place of Performance: San Diego

Position - Respiratory Therapist - Sleep Medicine

A-Team Solutions is seeking (1) full-time (1) part-time Respiratory Therapist for Sleep Medicine a contract position we have available at the VA San Deigo Health Care System. Contract is 1 year

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Respiratory Therapists (RTS or Contract RTS)
assigned to Sleep Medicine.

A Sleep Medicine Respiratory Therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner who has graduated from a college or a university and passed a
national board certifying examination. Respiratory therapists educate and treat people
who are suffering from sleep related breathing disorders. They often collaborate with
specialists in Pulmonary, ED, and ICU, Primary Care and Prosthetics in various aspects
of clinical care of patients. They are responsible for initiating and managing patients
with sleep disordered breathing in a clinical setting, provide specialized equipment
evaluation of Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) units and treatment, and may also
perform home based sleep studies. The RTS shall provide detailed education regarding
sleep study results and communicate with patients. All therapy, patient procedures and
interventions shall be completed in a safe manner and in accordance with all VA San
Diego approved Policies and Procedures, found in section D, Attachments 03-07. The
contract RTS shall be proficient in the following tasks:
1. The RTS shall independently evaluate patients with sleep related breathing
disorders and their treatment modalities in clinic setting. This includes the
evaluation of treatment efficacy through patient interview, equipment data analysis
and review of previous notes and study data.
2. The RTS shall perform airway humidification using various devices to include
heated humidifiers, cool pass over humidity and Heat and Moisture Exchanger
(HME).
3. The contract RTS shall evaluate PAP equipment and treatment based on
doctor's orders verifying the type of CPAP equipment, pressure settings, comfort
levels, mask size and type (nasal, full face, nasal pillows, etc.).
4. The RTS shall assess patient understanding and ability to manage their PAP
therapy at home.
5. The RTS shall establish and maintain understanding of various PAP equipment
and functional modes, as PAP equipment is constantly changing and evolving. This
includes set up, adjustment and theory of operation.
6. The RTS shall communicate with patients via telephone and assist in
troubleshooting CPAP equipment problems over the phone. Discuss, understand,
and review wireless remote data with the patient.
7. The contract RTS shall order various sleep accessories utilizing the
Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Consult system to Prosthetics,
coordinate with that department when necessary.
8. The contract RTS shall establish and maintain competency in set up, evaluation,
and adjusted of various PAP equipment currently in use for treatment of sleep
disordered breathing.
9. The RTS shall establish and maintain working knowledge of the variety of nonPAP treatments options for patients with sleep disordered breathing including
mandible repositioning device, electrical hypoglossal nerve stimulation, etc.
10. The RTS shall recommend and assist in determining appropriate equipment
needs and or changes in PAP treatment.
11. The RTS shall provide support and advise on in-patient PAP treatment when
requested.
12. The RTS shall assist in discharge planning/preparation for patients with sleep
disordered breathing that require new home equipment arrangements.
13. The RTS shall demonstrates and Maintain knowledge of complex Sleep Related
disorders including Circadian Rhythm, Diagnostics, Hypersomnia's, Insomnia,
Sleep related movement disorders.
14. The RTS shall implement, monitor, and troubleshoot various ventilation modes
including Bilevel, Bilevel Auto, Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
Spontaneous/Timed (BIPAP S/T), Bilevel Adaptive-Servo Ventilation (ASV),
Average Volume-Assured Pressure Support (AVAPS).
15. The RTS shall research CPRS, Remote data, Wireless CPAP Remote data,
Vista Imaging for sleep study reports from VAs throughout the country, make phone
calls to facilities if information is not available or to the patient if no information is
found.

16. The RTS shall ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the PAP clinic and
that clinic appointment times are done in a proper and consistent manner per the
VA Handbook for Scheduling, found in Section D, Attachment 07.
17. The RTS shall maintain competency in setup, evaluation, and adjustment of
various PAP equipment currently in use for treatment of sleep disordered breathing.
18. The RTS shall provide patient and/or family education as indicated.
19. The RTS shall recognize the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at
risk.

Requirements:

Minimum Education: Completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy (RT) Program

Minimum Experience: 1 year experience, including critical care (if working in Pulmonary)

Required Certification: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credential issued by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)

State Licensure: Respiratory Care Board of California

A-Team Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

To learn more about A-Team Solutions, please visit us at www.healthcare.a-teamsolutions.com or like us on Facebook! Lara 606-356-3960

Contract 0337