Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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Duties

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Duties of the RRT include, but are not limited to:

• Administers a variety of complex respiratory therapy treatments.
• Patients will be assessed by history, pulmonary physical assessment, and chart review before the start of therapy. Results of therapy will be recorded.
• Use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met.
• Consults with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty.
• Be knowledgeable regarding the use of medications in respiratory therapy and will observe the patient for desired and adverse effects of those medications, as well as the effects of the type of therapy delivering the medications.
• Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators (critical systems), end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen delivery devices, re-breathers, and oximetry monitors.
• Suggests alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient.
• Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols, incentive spirometry, chest physical therapy. Sputum specimens will be obtained by induction as ordered.
• Patient education will be done in all aspects of respiratory care pertaining to the individual patient.
• The therapist will function as a member of the Code Blue and Rapid Response Teams and is expected to be proficient in basic CPR, Emergency Airway Management to include intubation and provide ventilation with use of resuscitation bag.
• Responsible to maintain a current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Out of Operating Room Airway Management (OOORAM) certifications including intubation checkoff.
• The therapist will assist in transport outside the medical center or to other areas of the medical center for those patients requiring respiratory support as indicated. During transport of patients, maintains clearance of airway, monitors vital signs, and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary.
• The therapist will attend continuing education programs inside and outside the medical center as appropriate to keep abreast of changes and developments in respiratory therapy and in other areas impacting respiratory therapy and to maintain CEU's for state license and NBRC credentialing.
• Draws arterial blood samples from patients throughout the medical center in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with established policy and procedure. Responsible for operation, routine maintenance, daily calibrations, and quality control of the ABG analyzer.
• Calibrates complex respiratory equipment such as PFT analyzers to assure accurate performance.
• Provides equipment set up and cleaning, intraoperative assistance, and processing of all clinical specimens in the performance of fiber optic bronchoscopies. Assists physician in performing bronchoscopy procedures.
• Performs pulmonary function (PFT) studies as required. These include spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity.
• Delivers respiratory care as needed in the more complex respiratory care procedures and to poor risk patients such as those in the older age group. Participates in the audit of respiratory care.
• Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care using hospital policies and procedures, including appropriate cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines.
• Responsible for assisting the Cardiopulmonary leadership with creating, revising, and implementing various respiratory procedures, performance improvement monitors and processes, and to participate on various clinical focused committees.
• As time and working hours allow, in-patient therapists will assist in the outpatient cardiopulmonary clinics where they may have responsibility for performing EKG's, PFT's, apply and remove Holter Monitors, editing and retrieval of EKG's, provide CPAP education, set-up's and issue supplies, assist with stress testing and other duties as needed. During non-outpatient clinic hours, EKGs are performed by the therapist's according to policy.

Work Schedule : negotiable. Day and evening shifts available, both include rotating weekends/holidays. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Telework : not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # :

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : not authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact View email address on click.appcast.io, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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.
• English 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 Requirements:

RRT, GS-05

Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Education, Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above 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.

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

(a) Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.(e) Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

RRT, GS-09

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

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

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

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

(a) Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.

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

(c) Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation

(d) Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

RRT, GS-11

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

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

ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

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

(a) Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.

(b) Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.

(c) Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

Preferred 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-05 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with 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, puling, 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 requires 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

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.