Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) works independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The incumbent must be able to use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met.

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Duties

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• May perform emergency tracheal intubation.
• Is responsible for airway management during a cardiac or respiratory arrest. Assist with other aspects of CPR. Responds to Code Blue's (CPR) and RRT Rapid Response Team calls.
• Responds to all STAT calls regarding a patient's respiratory Status, making an assessment and providing emergency ventilatory and/or oxygenation support.
• In collaboration with the physician:
  • Initiates mechanical ventilation, selecting the equipment and settings relative to the patients needs based on assessment of the patient and physician orders. This may also involve such modalities as high frequency ventilation, ASV, Close-Loop Ventilation, Advance & Hybrid Ventilation Modes, and other state of the art modalities or techniques.
  • Monitors mechanical ventilation via ABG results, chest auscultation, chest x-rays, bedside pulmonary functions, clinical observations and adjust parameters accordingly.
  • Maintains the patient on mechanical ventilation providing periodic checks, appropriate troubleshooting and equipment maintenance.
  • Removes patient from mechanical ventilation using appropriate monitoring and weaning techniques to determine the patient's ability to breathe spontaneously.
• Airway management responsibilities to include suctioning, securing the airway, and other hygiene functions are shared with nursing personnel.
• Other therapies include:
  • Suctioning-nasotracheal and endotracheal
  • Chest physiotherapy, VEST Therapy
  • Administration of aerosolized pharmacological agents
  • Assistance with the selection, placement, monitoring, cuff integrity and subsequent change of both endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes.
• Administers and monitors oxygen to include High Flow Oxygen per policy and procedure manual.
• Initiates hyperinflation therapies to include, but not limited to, acapella, incentive spirometry or other PAP therapies in accordance to physician's orders or protocol.
• Performs Beside spirometry, ABG's, pulmonary mechanics, assists beside bronchoscope, sputum inductions, and HO2 set ups and education and needed.
  • Performs arterial blood gas punctures (radial/brachial, and femoral sticks with physician approval), analysis and report results, particularly critical values to physician and or primary nurse and may assist in the placement or drawing from indwelling arterial lines with proper certification and competencies.
  • Monitors/measures lung parameters such as (vital capacity, tidal volumes, negative inspiratory force, etc.) and recommends various forms of weaning procedures to the Attending Physician and house staff physician upon patient's critical status.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday: 6:45pm to 7:15am and 10:45pm to 7:15am, alternating weekends, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 580-02382F, 580-02381F, 580-02380F, 580-00450F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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 ( 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
• Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor.
• Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist 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 a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Exception. RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below.

• VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07
  level.
• RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received.
• RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT.
• Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.

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 : n addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level).

RRT, GS-05

Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Education, Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary appointment for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential.

RRT, GS-07

Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.

Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.

2. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures.

3. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.(d) Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.

4. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

RRT, GS-09

Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: Candidates must have:

1. One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level;

OR

2. A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.

Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.

2. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.

3. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation

4. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

RRT, GS-11

Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: Candidates must have:

1. One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.

2. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 efficacies of therapeutic modalities.

3. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

Preferred Experience: 2 years medical/surgical intensive care experience and 2 years closed-loop ventilation management experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with the work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation. see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that require normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Education

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.