Registered Respiratory Therapist

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at the GS-11 level uses advanced respiratory therapy knowledge to assess and educate Veterans with chronic pulmonary disease, coordinate individualized pulmonary rehabilitation services, provide evidence-based interventions, and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to support safe, effective, Veteran-centered care.

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is responsible for providing the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care to Veterans with cardiopulmonary deficiencies, diseases, and abnormalities in both inpatient and outpatient settings.Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments including medication delivery, oxygen therapy, aerosol/humidification therapy, and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy

• Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, end tidal CO2 (ETCo2) monitors, oxygen delivery devices, and oximetry monitors

• Performs patient assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other appropriate means to develop and implement a plan of care, including initiating protocols and monitoring critical systems

• Performs bedside diagnostic tests including arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, and basic spirometry to assess the respiratory status of patients

• Manages and maintains airway and ventilation of patients through use of appropriate mechanical means, including artificial airways and advanced modes of ventilation

• Calibrates complex respiratory equipment such as ventilators and analyzers to assure accurate and safe performance

• Performs routine respiratory therapy treatments to inpatient and outpatient populations including administering oxygen, therapeutic aerosols, Aerobika, and chest physical therapy; draws arterial blood samples via arterial puncture for laboratory analysis

• Consults collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality patient care, recommend changes in treatment based on patient observation and diagnostic test values, and contribute to favorable patient outcomes

• Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel on treatment modalities, medications, equipment setup and operation, and applicable cleaning and safety precautions

• Documents patient treatment, findings, and progress notes accurately and timely in the electronic medical record (e.g., CPRS, Vista Imaging)

• Provides outpatient services including PAP therapy, oxygen therapy, home ventilator management, and COPD case management via face-to-face and Tele/VVC encounters

Work Schedule: 6:00 A.M. - 6:30 P.M. with alternating weekends. (Three 12 hour shifts and one 8 hour shift per week.
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Please select the response below, that represents how you meet the education requirement.
• 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-11, Registered Respiratory TherapistExperience, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have:

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described as Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• Hold an active license and
• RRT credential.

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

1. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
2. Skill in evaluating the efficiency of therapeutic modalities.
3. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

Preferred Experience: Two years of experience, with a proven track record in developing and implementing program initiatives. Demonstrated ability to build and enhance programs to meet organizational goals. Strong computer skills, including the ability to utilize digital tools and systems to support program operations and data management.

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-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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.