Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is responsible for providing both basic and complex respiratory services to adult and geriatric patients at Central Arkansas Veterans' Healthcare System. The therapist must be knowledgeable regarding the basic treatment of all age groups. Responsibilities Duties of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) include but are not limited to: Will work independently in the performance of their duties. Will collect, review, and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records, care team, patient, and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated. Will be capable of performing basic 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. Will 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. Will communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate. Will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values. Will provide effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, and facility staff when appropriate. Will perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures. Will perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards. Will actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement. Will comply with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices. Will demonstrate working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocols. Will maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice. Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment. Will 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: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, every other weekend, off days will rotate (Subject to the needs of the service) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 598-00394-F/00395-F/00396-F/00397-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. 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. (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 38U.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. Current VHA employees 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-05 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Education, Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary 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. Registered Respiratory Therapist 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. Note: KSAs must be clearly reflected in your resume under description of duties to be found qualified for this position/grade level. Registered Respiratory Therapist 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. Note: KSAs must be clearly reflected in your resume under description of duties to be found qualified for this position/grade level. Registered Respiratory Therapist 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. Note: KSAs must be clearly reflected in your resume under description of duties to be found qualified for this position/grade level. Preferred Experience: Preferred at least one year Respiratory Therapy 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 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.