Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary)

The primary purpose of this position at this grade level is to compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for complex pulmonary function testing (PFT) and recognizes normal/abnormal results. The position supports diagnosing and managing respiratory conditions through accurate testing and collaboration with physicians.

Registered Respiratory Therapist -Pulmonary perform bronchoprovocation testing utilizing a variety of medications or methodologies. They monitor patients and recognize and initiate interventions for complications of testing. They perform an initial quality review of test results and ready them for physician interpretation and determine whether the patient meets the criteria for termination of testing. RRTs conduct quality control reviews of all tests performed and all pulmonary diagnostic equipment. They maintain lab records. They train and assess staff competencies in performing simple spirometry.

Major Duties:

• Performs diagnostic evaluation including but not limited to; Spirometry Before and After Bronchodilator, Lung Volume Determinations, Diffusing Capacity Determination, Slow Vital Capacity measurement, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation, Cardio- Pulmonary Exercise Testing, Bronchoprovocation Challenge Testing, Arterial Blood Gas interpretation - this includes patient instruction, testing, equipment/computer setup and interface, troubleshooting, and preliminary interpretation
• Monitors and evaluates patient performance during procedures and evaluates' response to PFT and recommends changes based on information obtained
• Provides patient with clear, concise instructions and coach the patient to achieve the best, reproducible results
• Plan, provides and maintains a safe environment for patients, staff and families
• Provides consult service at the request of nursing staff or physician
• Provides recommendations to the physician based on assessment/evaluation of patient
• Maintains knowledge of emergency airway management, pulmonary pharmacology and oxygen administration
• Recognizes changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately and communicates with other members of the healthcare team when changes in condition occur
• Ensure equipment and supplies are available for use
• Participates in evaluation of new equipment and services
• Participates in Continuous Improvement initiatives, monitors compliance within the PFT clinic area
• Resolves technical work problems with the aid of references, such as manuals, troubleshooting guides, and other reference sources
• Provides accurate, legible and complete documentation of patient care delivered and response to therapy
• Acts as liaison to providers for testing performed, equipment, supplies and requests for special services
• Recommend changes in the PFT Lab to improve services and patient care
• Assists with completion of department paperwork
• Assists in planning and implementing effective educational programs for in-services, orientation, continuing education, and other personnel training in the PFT Lab
• Provides additional, non-traditional services as determined by the DC VA Medical Center and department needs
• The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the process and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate for this position.
• The incumbent must develop skills through literature review of pulmonary medicine which include recognizing reproducibility of maneuvers and preliminary interpretation of diagnostic information.
• The Incumbent contributes ideas, plans and information to improve outpatient respiratory services.
• The incumbent administers routine and special pulmonary function testing.
• The Incumbent adheres to established standards of practice and exercises sound clinical judgement.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; 7:00am- 5:30pm.
Compressed/Flexible: Available.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 23059-F

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information.
• 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.

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:

GS-12 Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary)

Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level

*Examples of duties at the GS-11 include, but are not limited to: Use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met; consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty; manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means; determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation; monitor critical systems; use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes; Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities; Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

License/Credential: Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Certification: Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing, exercise testing, metabolic testing, bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing
• Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab.
• Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures..
• Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures
• Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures
• Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures.
• Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures

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 compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for complex pulmonary function testing (PFT) and recognizes normal/abnormal results. They perform bronchoprovocation testing utilizing a variety of medications or methodologies. They monitor patients and recognize and initiate interventions for complications of testing. They perform an initial quality review of test results and ready them for physician interpretation and determine whether the patient meets the criteria for termination of testing. RRTs conduct quality control reviews of all tests performed and all pulmonary diagnostic equipment. They maintain lab records. They train and assess staff competencies in performing simple spirometry

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 a GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in environmentally controlled inpatient and outpatient care areas. Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors is involved. Moving and lifting supplies, bending, stooping, and possible exposure to body fluid is involved.

This position has been evaluated as a Level 1 in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) definition of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Level 1 positions in this category require the performance of tasks that are exposed to blood and potentially infectious body fluid.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.