• Perform assessments through examination, analyses of laboratory results and interpretation of x-rays for the independent adjustment of ventilator settings in emergency situations and makes recommendations to physicians for critically ill patients.
• Administer a variety of complex respiratory therapy treatments to ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients in hospital wards and intensive care units.
• Perform assessment of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination and respiratory monitoring and diagnostic equipment.
• Set up and monitor respiratory equipment such as pressure and volume ventilators, oximeters and oxygen monitors.
• Perform bedside diagnostic tests that include the measurement of respiratory compliance, inspiratory force, tidal volume, minute volume, respiratory rate.
• Calculate lung compliance and rapid shallow breathing indexes for physicians in the intensive care units.
• Administer nebulized drugs and monitors patients for adverse reactions during this therapy by direct observation and taking a pulse; evaluates results of therapy by auscultation, monitoring of pulse, respiration before, during and after the therapy.
• Calibrate complex respiratory equipment such as computerized ventilators, co-oximeters, blood gas analysis machines, expired carbon dioxide monitors, oxygen monitors and pulse oximeters to assure accurate performance.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation is required.
• This position has specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age on a recurring basis.
• Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment screening and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to consent to participation in random drug urinalysis testing.
• A pre-placement medical examination is required.
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• This position may include shift work (evenings, weekends, holidays).
• This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes evaluating respiratory therapy patients, and setting up, operating, or maintaining respiratory therapy equipment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: One and a half years (i.e., 27 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Respiratory Therapy.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.