Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal Employees of other agencies, Veterans and all U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Assigned Duties include but are not limited to-

• Understands etiology, anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of common cardiopulmonary diseases.
• Identifies common issues and limitations of diagnostic testing related to cardiopulmonary testing, including, but not limited to: patients with mobility issues, patients presenting with altered respiratory anatomy (tracheostomy and/or stoma patients, s/p lung resection/removal, etc.), those with cognitive barriers to testing and treatment or safety concerns, limited arterial access, patients that are oxygen-dependent and/or those with diaphragmatic pacers or other neuromuscular issues.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of cardiopulmonary medications and how they relate to patient testing and results.
• Will be required to complete both inpatient and outpatient annual competencies.
• Identifies important information to be obtained prior to performing any diagnostic testing procedure, including patient identification, age, weight, gender assigned at birth, smoking history, race, pulmonary history, and current medications that may affect test or test results.
• Demonstrates ability to perform routine vital sign measurements, including heart rate, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, assessment of respiratory pattern and evidence of dyspnea or hypoxemia.
• Effectively identifies and takes appropriate action when faced with adverse reactions and patient situations that require urgent or emergency management, including, but not limited to: falls, fainting, acute change in mental status, acute change in HR, RR, or blood pressure, extreme shortness of breath, hypoxia, chest pain, cardiac and/or respiratory arrest.
• Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as needed.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, families, coworkers, and other staff to provide exemplary care and service.
• Collaborates with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team to facilitate patient testing and appointment arrival, as needed.
• Properly and completely documents all assessments, patient effort, response to testing and the results of any procedure performed in the patient's medical record. All paper documentation must be legible and include the patient's name and identifiable patient information.
• Provides patient education related to the use of ordered pulmonary medications, including timing, instruction for use, the importance and use of a spacer with metered-dose inhalers, post-medication delivery directions (if applicable), peak flow measurements, pulse oximetry, breathing exercises, airway clearance and/or cough techniques.
• Keeps abreast of current trends in respiratory care as related to the outpatient pulmonary section and effectively applies that information in practice.
• Demonstrates knowledge of critical information related to medical gas systems, including hazards and risks associated with their use and storage.
• Correctly identifies and demonstrates ability to don proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn during all cardiopulmonary testing procedures.
• Always ensures a safe patient environment. This includes but is not limited to: keeping patient care areas clean, organized and free from trip hazards, completing disinfection of equipment in-between patients, encouraging the use of walkers or other mobility aids when needed, and making recommendations for urgent care follow up, when indicated.

Work Schedule: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD92153-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 identification 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 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.
• Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.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:

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11

• 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.

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.

Preferred Experience: Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) Testing

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:

• Considerable walking/standing may be required.
• Frequent lifting, positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when assisting with the transfer of patients or when moving equipment or supplies.
• Frequent, prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required.
• Manual dexterity and mobility are required.
• Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling or crouching may be necessary.
• Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds) may be occasionally required.
• Intermittent exertion is possible.
• Subject to interruptions and stress from multiple calls, patient needs and/or inquiries from others, whether in-person, on the telephone or via computer.
• Sound judgement and ability to function under stress is required. Inappropriate actions/judgment, especially those during emergency or crisis situations, may result in injury or death.

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.