Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public.

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• Provides advanced respiratory care and life-support to critically ill adult and geriatric patients
• Assesses, monitors, and adjusts ventilator and oxygen therapy to optimize patient outcomes
• Collaborates with providers to tailor and update respiratory care plans based on patient status
• Performs emergency procedures (e.g., CPR, rapid response, acute airway management)
• Educates patients and families on respiratory therapies and equipment use for better compliance
• Participates in diagnostic and interventional procedures (bronchoscopy, tracheotomies)
• Ensures continuity of care by communicating patient changes across the healthcare team
• Leads and supervises RRT team to ensure high-quality, consistent patient care delivery
• Troubleshoots equipment failures and ensures timely repair to avoid treatment delays
• Reviews and audits clinical documentation to ensure accurate patient records
• Monitors patient data (ABGs, vitals, imaging) to inform care decisions
• Conducts bedside rounds to verify therapy effectiveness and patient safety
• Covers critical units during staff breaks to maintain uninterrupted care
• Orders and maintains supplies to avoid disruptions in respiratory treatments
• Trains and mentors staff to uphold best practices and patient care standards
• Represents respiratory therapy in patient safety and critical care committees
• Adjusts staffing and workload based on patient acuity for equitable care
• Tracks mechanical ventilation metrics to identify trends and improve outcomes
• Monitors and reports attendance/leave issues that may affect patient coverage
• Supports environmental and infection control practices that protect patient health
• Documents all care activities in VA systems to support continuity and safety

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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

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.
• Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• 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).

Grandfathering Provision. 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:

• Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12.
  • Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must:
    • Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient.
    • Hold an active license and RRT credential.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
    • Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
    • Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
    • Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution.
    • Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions.
    • Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies

Preferred Experience:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Basic understanding and application of computer use to include Word, Excel, and medical charting software.
• Minimum 5 Years of clinical experience in application of all oxygen modalities including low flow and high flow systems, aerosol and nebulizer delivery systems, airway clearance modalities and proficiency in collection and interpretation of arterial blood gases.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist-Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS) credential
• Minimum 3 Years clinical experience in intensive care units. Able to safely and competently initiate and monitor various mechanical ventilators, portable transport ventilators, and must possess knowledge and experience in delivery of inhaled nitric oxide. Able to initiate application of CPAP and Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV) devices.
• Crew member in ground or critical care transport team or team member of hospital acute care rapid response team.
• Previous experience in team leader capacity with ability to lead and provide resolution to clinical issues from assigned staff. Able to distribute workload assignments appropriately and can work with minimal supervision.
• 3 Years of emergency department clinical experience
• 5 Years of clinical experience in care and management of artificial airways to include ability to perform complete tracheostomy care as well as knowledge with application of speaking valve on tracheostomy tube.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: The essential functions of the Lead position requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The therapist must frequently bend, reach, stoop, and stretch to set-up and disassemble respiratory equipment, perform CPR, Rapid Responses, push/pull moderately heavy objects such as ventilator equipment. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedure in confined areas of the intensive care units and patient care units. Considerable walking/standing may be required. Frequent lifting, positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when moving equipment or supplies or other needs. Frequent, prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required. Manual dexterity and mobility are required. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, or crouching may be necessary. Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds) may be occasionally required. Intermittent exertion is possible. Subject to interruptions and stress from multiple calls, patient needs and/or inquiries from others, whether in-person, on the telephone or via computer. 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.

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, 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.