Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

Registered Respiratory Therapists at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. 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 area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means.

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Duties

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The major job duties for the Registered Respiratory Therapist include but are not limited to:

1. Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities.

2. Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute-care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines.

3. Explain the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital- based respiratory care protocols.

4. Evaluate and treat patients in a variety of settings, using the appropriate respiratory care protocols.

5. Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members.

6. Review and interpret arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests.

7. Perform basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.

8. Assessment of Need for Therapy - Assesses the need for therapies in all patient settings.

9. Medical Gas Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to gas delivery systems in all patient settings.

10. Humidity Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to humidity therapy systems in all patient settings.

11. Aerosol Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to aerosol systems in all patient settings.

12. Therapy - Apply knowledge, understanding, and troubleshooting skills to lung expansion equipment in all patient settings.

13. Airway Management- Apply knowledge, understanding and troubleshooting skills using airway management in all patient settings.

14. Evaluate social support system-recognition of anxiety, depression, signs of abuse and the knowledge of and ability to access community resources.

15. Initiate patient monitoring equipment and understand interpretation of data.

Work Schedule : Day or Night Shift: 7:00am- 7:30pm; 7:00am- 3:30pm; 7:00pm- -0:730am; 7:30pm-3:30am (Specific shift and tour of duty will be discussed in the interview process.)

Telework : Not available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 91439-A

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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. 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

Grade Determinations : Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11.

(a) Experience, Licensure and Credential. 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.

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

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

ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.

iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

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

Physical Requirements:

a. Considerable walking/standing may be required.

b. Frequent lifting, positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when assisting with the transfer of patients or when moving equipment or supplies.

c. Frequent, prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required.

d. Manual dexterity and mobility are required.

e. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling or crouching may be necessary.

f. Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds) may be occasionally required.

g. Intermittent exertion is possible.

h. Subject to interruptions and stress from multiple calls, patient needs and/or inquiries from others, whether in-person, on the telephone or via computer.

i. Sound judgement and ability to function under stress is required. Inappropriate actions/judgment, especially those during emergency or crisis situations, may result in injury or death.

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.