Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Qualified candidates will be referred in the following order: 1) Current, permanent Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System and CTAP applicants 2) Current, permanent VISN 22 VHA Employees 3 All other qualified VHA Employees.

Videos

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs therapeutic and diagnostic procedures using medical gases and devices, including Nitric Oxide, humidification, and aerosols
• Administers medications targeting the cardiopulmonary system
• Provides ventilatory support, managing life support systems and patient/ventilator interfaces
• Sets up and manages CPAP, APAP, and BIPAP systems.
• Conducts bronchopulmonary airway suctioning, chest physiotherapy, drainage, sputum inductions, and breathing exercises.
• Responds to cardiopulmonary emergencies, including providing CPR and participating in Rapid Response Teams (RRT).
• Performs bedside pulmonary function testing and ambulatory sleep testing procedures.
• Assists with bronchoscopy and conducts arterial punctures and blood gas analyses.
• Verifies calibration and proper operation of respiratory equipment, troubleshooting issues and collaborating with Biomedical Engineering.
• Educates patients and families about respiratory therapies and participates in home oxygen evaluations.
• Monitors and maintains inventory of supplies, initiating purchase requests to prevent care disruptions.
• Recognizes and acts promptly when medical intervention is needed to ensure patient safety.
• Maintains current BLS (Basic Life Support) and ALS (Advanced Life Support) certifications.
• Upholds proficiency and competency standards in accordance with hospital and service requirements.
• Provides thorough and accurate documentation of all procedures, patient responses, and therapy outcomes in the medical record.

Work Schedule: Compressed Tour 6 - 12 hour shifts and 1-8 hour shift 1830-0700 and 2230-0700 including weekends. Tour set at Supervisory discretion based on needs of the service.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Authorized

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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 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 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.
• 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: applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the grade requirements below.

GS-11 Experience: Applicants must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 level. In addition, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

1. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
2. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
3. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation manageme

Assignment: This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in inpatient and procedural areas (Operating Room and Bronchoscopy procedure). 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. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

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

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus; lifting, repositioning, safely moving patients (over 100 lbs.) with assistance as needed; and pushing or pulling heavy objects (over 50 lbs.) such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator equipment, routinely lifting and carrying small equipment items (less than 50 lbs.). The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.

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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

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.