Clarification from the agency

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

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Major Duties of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) include but are not limited to:

Clinical Responsibilities

• Serves as a respiratory therapist in the intensive care units and all wards and clinic areas with responsibility for independently administering complex respiratory therapy treatment to critically ill patients.
• Sets up and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume ventilators for critical care patients. Based on patient assessment and analysis of blood gas data, adjusts ventilator settings in order to change the patient's ventilator status. Applies advanced ventilator techniques such as positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP), intermittent mandatory ventilator (IMV), and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), BIPAP and microprocessor ventilators.
• Performs weaning parameters and monitors patients closely to avoid incidents and to alter the plan as necessary.
• Initially and continuously assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination and respiratory monitoring and diagnostic equipment.
• Determines the effectiveness and /or need for change in the therapy being administered.
• Monitors and interprets values such as pulmonary artery pressures, pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, mixed venous oxygen content, and cardiac output for the purpose of reporting patient status and making recommendations to physicians regarding treatment.
• Performs airway and tube care on intensive care patients including cleaning and securing the tracheostomy and endotracheal tube and site, changing endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes as needed, monitoring tube cuff pressure and inspecting equipment and patient to insure proper functioning of the ventilator.
• As a member of the CODE 4 Team in cases of cardiac arrest, initiates artificial ventilation using either mouth-to-mouth techniques or manual ventilation bag to restore patient's heartbeat and maintain ventilation. During transport of patients within or outside to hospital, maintains ventilation, monitors vital signs, and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary.
• Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments given, various types of medications used, and the set up and operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautions. Presents demonstrations and subsequently observes personnel during performance to correct faulty techniques and answer questions.
• Calibrates complex respiratory equipment such as volume ventilators, and co-oximeters to assure accurate performance.
• Identifies and corrects mechanical malfunction of equipment used in the respiratory therapy service.
• Performs emergency repair of ventilators used in the intensive care unit.
• Records treatment, findings, and progress pertinent to patient care.
• Assigns respiratory therapy technicians according to their level of competence and experience. He/she may find it advisable in his/her judgment to change technicians from one assignment to another during a shift because of changing work conditions.
• Some changes in methods and procedures that the therapist may propose will affect other services, i.e., Medical, Surgery, Nursing, etc. When this situation occurs, he/she participates in joint conferences, to solve the problem and coordinate efforts.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the lungs and bronchi as related to gas exchange and ventilation, to administer special ventilatory techniques such as positive and expiatory pressure and intermittent mandatory ventilation.
• Interpret the results of blood gas studies and adjustment of ventilator settings.
• Assist physician with intubation and remove endotracheal tubes.
• Assess patient's respiratory status and evaluate the effectiveness of therapy.

• Instructs patients and their families explaining the operation and use of respiratory equipment including treatment procedures and providing reassurance and comfort. Generally, the patients are acutely ill and under considerable stress requiring the therapist to be tactful in establishing and maintaining communication.
• Contact physicians, nurses, and other respiratory therapists for resolving complications in patient care, coordinating action during emergency situations, tube changes and transports, resolving problems associated with equipment failure, and providing clinical instructions and demonstrations in respiratory therapy procedures and techniques.
• Provide in-services to physicians and nurses on new equipment and/or procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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.
• 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.

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).

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the US. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook Part II, Chapter 3, Section A. paragraph3j.
• Education: Must possess successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
• License: Must possess a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT.
• Credential: Must posses a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT.

• 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.