Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent employees of the Tennessee Valley HCS.

Videos

Duties:
1. Reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data.
2. Formulates an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment.
3. Communicates orally and in writing, changes, adjustments and recommendations with other healthcare team members.
4. Provides effective education and training to patients, students and co-workers as appropriate.
5. Performs emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with hospital and respiratory department guidelines.
6. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
7. Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.
8. Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment.
9. May serve as therapist-in-charge when assigned and/or in the absence of the Chief of Respiratory Care.
10. Promotes a customer-centered environment, taking personal responsibility for problem solving and effective courteous communication with patients, their families, medical staff, students and co-workers.
11. Provides patient care, which is appropriate to the cultural, cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient.
12. Demonstrates the ability to utilize computer-based technologies, software and programs.
13. Demonstrates the ability to utilize computer-based technologies, software and programs
14. Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Examples include but not limited to: Arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy assistance, pulmonary rehabilitation, endotracheal intubation, oxygen administration etc.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Telework: Not authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 71057-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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).

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. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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.
• Certification. Candidates must hold a CPFT or RPFT and RPSGT.

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 (GS-12): In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12:
Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
Experience includes: responsible for the following under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. 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 through the use of appropriate mechanical means. Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.
and
Demonstrate the clinical competencies described at that level.

• 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. Ability to develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
ii. Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
iii. Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
iv. Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures.
v. Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care.
vi. Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care.
vii. Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff.
viii. Ability to manage all aspects of a complex patient care program including day-to-day operation, training program resources and fiscal management.

Assignments. This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish 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.

Preferred Experience: 2 years of respiratory experience and 2 years of pulmonary function testing experience. A certification in CPFT or RPFT is preferred but not required.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in patient care areas, inpatient and outpatient. Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors is involved. It may involve walking, standing, and bending, reaching and stretching to set-up and taking apart equipment, lifting and positioning patient and carrying, pushing or pulling moderate heavy objects (15-44 lbs).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume (including dates of positions held, location of position held, full-time/part-time, job details, etc. , C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.