Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

• Compare and evaluate the indications and contraindications for sleep studies.
• Explain results in relation to types of respiratory sleep disorders.
• Completion of annual performance appraisals and discipline of direct reports. Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical protocols.
• Review the patient's history and verify the medical order. Follow sleep center protocols related to the sleep study.
• Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of polysomnographic results. Follow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration etc.
• Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters for HSAT; identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generate an accurate report. Assist In all aspects of sleep Lab operations.
• Identify and distinguish the indications, contraindications, and general hazards, complications in preparation, performance of PAP.
• Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments. Assist in all aspects of Home CPAP/Bipap operations.
• Perform arterial and venous sampling for blood analysis and Scheduling of staff.
• Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities.
• Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing at varying levels, both internal and external to the organization
• Perform basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.
• Perform endotracheal intubation.
• Perform arterial line placement and management.
• Perform as a member of the rapid response team (medical emergency team).
• Make treatment recommendations based on waveform graphics, pulmonary mechanics, and imaging studies.

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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• 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.

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:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. 7407(a) for more information.

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-Documentation . Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.

Licensure-Documentation . 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-Documentation. 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.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12
Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:
i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Certification. Candidates must hold a RPSGT/SDS

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
a. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data.
b. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment.
c. Skill in monitoring both physiologic and diagnostic parameters.
d. Skill in scoring data both during and post diagnostic testing.
e. Skill in analyzing data both during and post diagnostic testing.
f. Skill in preparing output for physician interpretation of data obtained both during and post diagnostic testing.
g. Skill in the assessment of oxygenation, ventilation and adverse responses.

Preferred Experience:

• Highly desirable SDS or RPGST certification.
• Must have sleep lab working experience, performing sleep tests, scoring sleep test, generating report for physician interpretation.
• Experience to work with sleep Apnea devices ,CPAP/BIPAP management and other sleep apnea devices - INAPS, BONGO, EXITE etc

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.