Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This vacancy is open to facility employees only.

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The incumbent of this position is responsible for the following:
Area I: Collection of Diagnostic Information
1. Invasive Diagnostic Procedures. In bronchoscopic procedures, it is crucial to identify and distinguish the indications, contraindications, and general hazards, as well as potential complications that may arise during preparation, performance, and post-care phases. Incumbent is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the patient's clinical condition using tools such as pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram, exhaled gas analysis, and other related diagnostic devices. They will also perform arterial and venous sampling for blood analysis to ensure comprehensive patient care throughout the procedure.

Area II: Disease Management
1. Management of Chronic Diseases. It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This knowledge allows for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning. Additionally, communicating with and educating patients to empower and engage them in their own care
is crucial. This involves making sure patients understand their conditions and treatment plans, which can lead to better adherence and outcomes. Developing, administering, and re-evaluating patient care plans are also critical responsibilities. These care plans should be personalized to meet the needs of each patient and regularly evaluated to ensure they remain effective as the patient's condition changes.
2. Management of Acute Diseases. Developing, administering, evaluating, and modifying respiratory care plans in the acute-care setting using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines is essential. This ensures that the care provided is based on the latest and most reliable evidence, which can improve patient outcomes. Communicating with and educating patients to empower and engage them, like chronic disease management, is vital in acute settings. Patients need to understand their treatment and care plans to be active participants in their recovery process. Finally, developing, administering, and re-evaluating patient care plans are fundamental responsibilities. These plans must be flexible and regularly reassessed to adapt to the acute and often rapidly changing conditions of the patient.

Area III: Evidence-Based Medicine and Respiratory Care Protocols
1. Evidence-Based Medicine. Retrieval of credible sources of evidence is critical. This entails identifying and accessing high-quality research studies, clinical guidelines, and other reliable sources of medical information and applying the evidence-based medicine to clinical practice.
2. Respiratory Care Protocols. It is important to explain the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital-based respiratory care protocols. Evaluating and treating patients in a variety of settings using the appropriate methods is also a key responsibility. This requires the ability to adapt evidence-based protocols to different clinical environments and patient populations, ensuring that care is consistent, effective, and tailored to individual patient needs.

Area IV: Patient Assessment
1. Patient Assessment. It is essential to complete a thorough assessment through direct contact with the patient, chart review, and other appropriate means. This information should be effectively communicated with healthcare team members to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care. Additionally, obtaining detailed medical, surgical, and family history is important to understand the patient's health background and potential hereditary conditions.
2. Diagnostic Data. Reviewing and interpreting pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry, lung volumes, diffusion studies, arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests is fundamental. This analysis helps in assessing the patient's respiratory and metabolic status, detecting imbalances, and forming a basis for effective treatment plans. 3. Physical Examination. Inspecting the chest and extremities is vital to detect any deformations, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies that could indicate underlying conditions. Measuring vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate provides a baseline for the patient's current health status and helps monitor changes over time. Evaluating the patient's breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles is important to assess respiratory function and the severity of any respiratory distress.


Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 0730-1600
Telework: No

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.

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:

• 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT.
  4. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
• 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).

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 for employment, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:

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.
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:
i. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

Assignments. This assignment is the full performance level. 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. 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

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G11 March 12, 2021The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in all patient care areas (in-patient and outpatient). Respiratory Therapists will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. It will involve walking, standing, and bending, reaching and stretching to set-up and taking apart equipment, lifting, and positioning patient and carrying, pushing or pulling moderate heavy objects (15-44lbs). Respiratory Therapists must have or obtain the ability to handle varying levels of stress in a positive manner.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in all patient care areas (in-patient and outpatient). Respiratory Therapists will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. It may involve walking, standing, and bending, reaching and stretching to set-up and taking apart equipment, lifting, and positioning patient and carrying, pushing or pulling moderate heavy objects (15-44lbs). Respiratory Therapists must have or obtain the ability to handle varying levels of stress in a positive manner.

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.