Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements per VA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Qualifications Applicants pending 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 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 the 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 or 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. 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). GS 11 Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Experience – Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS‑09 grade level, demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Clinical competencies include: Obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within the area of specialty. Maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient via mechanical means. Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend interventions, develop and implement a plan of care, and apply protocols, intubation procedures, monitoring of critical systems, and advanced ventilation modes. Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans that yield favorable patient outcomes. Evaluate the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Perform advanced airway and ventilation management. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑11. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. Specific assignments depend on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish an appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within the area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen, and intubation. They monitor critical systems and use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services—such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment when indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower‑graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Duties The incumbent serves as a member of the Respiratory Therapy Section at the VISN 1 VA Healthcare System. The Respiratory Therapy subsection is responsible for providing the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care. The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy and to meet the cardio‑pulmonary needs of the patients served. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: mechanical ventilation management, CPAP/BiPAP ventilation, aerosolized medication administration, bronchial hygiene, airway management, oxygen therapy, and aerosol therapy. Diagnostic testing such as bedside spirometry, EKGs and pulse oximetry. Assist the pulmonologist in therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures, arterial blood gas sampling and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Perform home oxygen evaluations, pulmonary function testing, bronchial provocation testing (methacholine challenge), cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and home CPAP/BiPAP setup with compliance checks and mask fitting/dispensing, and patient education. Assess patients by history, pulmonary physical assessment and chart review before the start of therapy. Record changes in findings during therapy and results of therapy. Utilize knowledge regarding the use of medications in respiratory therapy and observe the patient for desired and adverse effects of those medications, as well as the effects of the therapy delivered. Set up and monitor respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, end‑tidal CO₂ monitors, oxygen delivery devices and oximetry monitors. Perform routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital inpatients, including administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols, incentive spirometry and chest physical therapy. Obtain sputum specimens by induction as ordered. Provide patient education in all aspects of respiratory care pertaining to each patient and according to the patient’s or family’s ability to assimilate the information. Work Schedule Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Every other weekend 7:00 am to 7:30 pm. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Additional Information Functional Statement #: F02862 | F02863 | F02864 | F02865 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized. EDRP Authorized. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA. Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time offered per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment – full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA Insurance. Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care benefits are available. Notifications: This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit. This position is on a special salary rate and is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent federal agency employees. Current and former federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF‑50 (Notice of Personnel Action) not more than one year old (52 weeks). The SF‑50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (competitive or excepted). In some cases, more than one SF‑50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. No award SF‑50s will be accepted. Narrative responses to the KSAs may be required from the selectee to proceed with the appointment. #J-18808-Ljbffr