Clarification from the agency

**THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION NOT TO EXCEED 1 YEAR AND 1 DAY** NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

CLINICAL:

• Independently performs basic and acute respiratory care, administration of oxygen and aerosol therapy, positive pressure devices (BIPAP, CPAP), ventilator care to include advanced technology/techniques (i.e., pressure control modality and associated ventilator adjustments and monitoring). The respiratory therapist is responsible for making appropriate recommendations to physicians regarding changes in therapy. Displays knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care.
• Assess respiratory status of patients through direct contact, chart review, diagnostic data (i.e., pulmonary function tests, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count and related laboratory tests) and other means as appropriate.
• Performs and responds as a member on the rapid response team, stroke team, code team calls (i.e., code blue team, code 99 team, etc.) Responsible for airway management and assisting with and/or performing endotracheal intubation.
• Duties may vary according to shift and/or patient care needs, and miscellaneous duties as assigned.
• Duties may include developing, administering, evaluating, monitoring and modifying respiratory care plans in the acute, critical and/or outpatient care settings using protocols and clinical practice guidelines.
• Duties may include monitoring critical systems, maintaining the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means, performing process for weaning patients from mechanical ventilation, monitoring of patients using oximetry, electrocardiology, and apnea monitoring devices.

PATIENT EDUCATION:

• The Respiratory Therapist (RT) is the expert clinician in the care and management for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The RT will provide education to patients and families as requested for new and chronic respiratory disease management in inpatient, post-acute care and outpatient care settings.
• Education will include the use and maintenance of home equipment, safety and contingency planning for chronic disease management including, but not limited to chronic disease management, home ventilation and positive airway pressure therapy, home oxygen usage and safety, tracheostomy care and suctioning, nebulizers and aerosol medications.

PHARMACOLOGY:

• Dispense pharmacological solutions as prescribed by physician.
• Must possess and utilize a general knowledge of indications, contraindications, and complications of medicines and respond accordingly to policy and procedure in the event of adverse reactions and/or appropriate orders as demonstrated through observation, assessment and documentation.

ADMINISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION:

• Documents all respiratory treatments and patient responses in the electronic medical record as per policy. This included documentation in BCMA and CPRS, and the completion of consult requests. Maintains departmental paperwork according to the current standard.
• Documentation will include appropriate patient information, location of patient, verification of patient name and social security number or date of birth, clearly and thoroughly state the events that occurred during therapy as demonstrated through medical record audit.
• Documentation will be completed in a timely manner; will clearly state the events that occurred during therapy as demonstrated through medical record audit. To include PRN effectiveness, blood gas entry, event capture, and BCMA if relevant.
• Ensures all patient consults are completed and closed out, and event capture entries are accurate and completed on a daily basis.
• Responsible to understand, interpret and comply with Respiratory Care Policies and Standard Operating Procedures. Duties may include leading projects to development and implement new policies, procedures and/or protocols.

RESEARCH:

• May be asked to assist or participate in approved research activities involving the Pulmonary Section.

EDUCATION:

• Completes and maintains current ACLS, BLS, PALS, Out of OR Airway Management Training and/or Certification.
• Assist in providing learning experiences for respiratory therapy students, allied health professionals and provide instruction where indicated.

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:

• 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.
• 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).

• Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:
  • One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
  • 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.

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.