Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced Respiratory services to adult and geriatric patients at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. The Therapist plans, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including mechanical ventilators, positive pressure devices, pulmonary function, arterial blood gas equipment and oxygen monitors/analyzers.

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Duties

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The Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) is a level 1a 349-bed facility offering primary, secondary, and tertiary health care in medicine, surgery, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, intermediate care, acute and sustaining spinal cord injury, skilled nursing home care, and palliative care. There are four community-based outpatient clinics located in Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Emporia and Spotsylvania County, Virginia, and a strong affiliation with the Medical College of Virginia.Services are rendered in collaboration with the ordering provider, either by specific orders, policy or established protocol. These functions and responsibilities are supported by education and administrative oversight. Periodically specific functions may change. The primary services include, but are not limited to:

• Collect, review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records, care team, patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated.
• Capable of performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients. Example; monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation, assisting with bronchoscopy, using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data, describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid base balance.
• Apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment, history, lung auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc.
• Communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate. Additionally, the incumbent will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values.
• Provide effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, and facility staff when appropriate.
• Perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures.
• Perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards.
• Actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement. The Therapist will comply with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices. The Therapist will demonstrate working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocols.
• Maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
• Participate in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy, maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility.

Work Schedule : Various shifts, weekends, and holidays

Telework : Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : Registered Respiratory Therapist

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.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.

• 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.

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.(a) 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.(b) 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.(c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT.(d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.(e) Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline.

• English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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).

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 :

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. AND
• 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:

• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience conducting comprehensive pulmonary function testing, including spirometry, gas diffusion, studies, and body plethysmography, in accordance with established clinical standards.
• Proven ability to calibrate, operate, and maintain pulmonary function testing equipment to ensure accuracy, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Skill in preparing, instructing, and guiding patients through respiratory testing procedures while ensuring patient safety, comfort, and understanding.
• Experience accurately recording, analyzing, and interpreting pulmonary function test results and documenting findings in electronic health record systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with respiratory therapists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to communicate test results and support patient care decisions.
• Knowledge of respiratory diseases, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities relevant to pulmonary function assessment.
• Possession of the Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) credential or equivalent recognized competency.
• Experience working in a medical or clinical laboratory environment with adherence to quality assurance and safety protocols.
• Familiarity with current pulmonary testing techniques, technology advancements, and best practices in respiratory diagnostics.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements:

• Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 50-100 lbs.)
• Prolonged extensive, or considerable standing/ walking-Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfer patients
• Assist with lifting and moving patients
• Lifts supplies/equipment
• Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Intermittent exertion when performing treatments
• Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

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

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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

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.

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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