Clarification from the agency

This position is open to Current Permanent Department of Veteran of Affairs employees, Federal employees in the Competitive and Excepted service, and the Public.

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Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Sets up, monitoring, and trouble-shooting volume ventilators in the ICU/SCI and general care areas for those patients that require mechanical ventilation. This includes both in the department records and the patient's chart.
• Provides airway care for both the ICU/SCI and general care patients.
• Measures respiratory compliance, tidal volume and inspiratory force.
• Provides oxygen and life support to patients during CPR. Assisting physicians with elective intubation. Perform emergency airway intubations during CODES. Provide oxygen therapy.
• Charts all modes of therapy and patient assessments in CPRS, Vista and Essentris. Administration of E-Z Pap therapy, Metaneb and Aerobeka. Administration of medication nebulizers to patients requiring aerosol medication.
• Removes secretions from patient's airways using a sterile suction catheter attached to a vacuum source.
• Prepares and installs basic respiratory equipment, CPAP, BIPAP, flow meters, heaters, and tank regulators for patient's use including evaluation of equipment, operation and explanation of procedures to the patient where applicable.
• Checks patient's equipment to verify proper operation in compliance with doctor's orders.
• Administers helium/oxygen mixtures for patients with airway obstruction.
• Performs tracheal lavage and sputum inductions.
• Performs chest percussion and postural drainage. Evaluates a patient's overall cardiopulmonary condition in relationship to the modes of therapy being delivered in order to determine the need and/or effectiveness of treatment.
• Transports ventilator dependent patients on portable volume ventilators to radiology and other special procedures areas. This requires staying with the patient and monitoring the ventilator.
• Measures tracheal cuff pressures and records in CPRS and Essentris.
• Provides a complete and thorough report to oncoming shift.
• Responds to all STAT calls from nurses and physicians for equipment failure and malfunction. Must be able to recognize when equipment is malfunctioning and reports to chief, assistant chief, or charge therapist.
• Verifies all physician orders before therapy is administered to make certain that all orders are correct. Instructs patients how to improve their ability to breathe during times of respiratory distress.
• Administers incentive spirometry per physician orders.
• Changes all equipment and makes certain that all non-disposable items are sent to the SPD unit for sterilization and cleaning.
• Makes sure that all medication administered to patient are the correct dosage and within the expiration date.
• Draws and analyzes blood gases throughout the medical center.
• Performs emergency intubations outside of the OR for all patients requiring emergency airway management.

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 trial 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

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.

  • 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 38 U.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.(e) Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline.

• 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).

Grade Determinations:

Respiratory Therapist, GS-05

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above 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.

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

• Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• 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.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09

Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. 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.

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

• Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11

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.
AND
ii. 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 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.

• Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.
• Experience with interpreting arterial blood gas results and coordinating patient care.
• Ability to perform airway management, including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• Ability to perform therapeutic modalities in respiratory care.

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.