Clarification from the agency

This job is open to the public. Veterans' Preference applies for this occupational series. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/

Videos

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will provide services directly at Bay Pines Healthcare System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. The protocol and procedures are established for the treatment, management, evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system.

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. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment.

Duties and responsibilities of the RRT include but are not limited to the following:

Inpatient Care - Hospital (Acute Care)

• Bronchopulmonary drainage and breathing exercises
• Oxygen Set up and Administration
• High Flow Oxygen Set Up and Administration
• Aerosolized Medication Administration
• MDI administration and education
• PEP Therapy (Flutter, acapella etc.)
• Ventilator Management and Set Up
• Noninvasive ventilator management (Bipap and Cpap)
• Continuous Positive Airway Management and Set up for OSA
• Sputum Induction and Sample preparation
• Advanced Airway Management (intubations and insertion of LMAs)
• Home Oxygen Evaluation
• Bronchoscopy Assistance
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Code Blue), Rapid Response Team (RAP)
• Proficient at performing arterial blood gases sampling, analysis, interpretation, and intervention. Competent in performing arterial line insertion
• Patient/family education- Telehealth with all services

• Performs pulmonary function testing which includes, but not limited to calibration of equipment, various diagnostic tests including Spirometry, Single Breath Diffusion (DLCO), Plethysmography (VTG)
• Methacholine challenge, 6-minute walk test and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing(CPEX)
• Bronchoscopy Assistance
• Home Oxygen Evaluation
• Evaluate/monitor patient's response to therapy and recommend changes based on information obtained
• Complete consults/clinical procedures for both outpatient/inpatient staff and patients
• Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk
• Requires strong computer skill, entering collecting / downloading data of patients results following procedures utilizing approved software packages
• CPAP and /or BIPAP set-up, administration and set up
• Independently evaluate sleep related breathing disorders patients, and titrate pressures, download data, review compliance and fit patients with appropriate interface devices to achieve the physicians' therapeutic goals
• Portable Home Sleep Monitor to include assessment, education, equipment setup and downloading patient data
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation (breathing exercise, strength training)
• Telehealth with all services

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).
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 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 must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement 10/09/2025.

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 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Please check that your program is verified on the CoARC website as this will be verified. Transcripts are required to be submitted with application.
• 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. Valid active licensure is required to be submitted with application.
• 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. Credential is required to be submitted with application.
  • Exception. There is no exception at this grade level.

• Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:
  • Hold an active state RRT license AND RRT credential.
  • AND
  • One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described here. Applicants experience must meet the following and list details on their resume. That experience includes:
    • RRTs at this grade level are 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. RRTs 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. They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs on applicant's resume:
  • 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.
• Preferred Experience: Advanced Airway management skills

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Qualified Veteran's Preference applicants. If none, then all other applicants will be reviewed.