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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Registered Respiratory Therapist -Pulmonary perform bronchoprovocation testing utilizing a variety of medications or methodologies. They monitor patients and recognize and initiate interventions for complications of testing. They perform an initial quality review of test results and ready them for physician interpretation and determine whether the patient meets the criteria for termination of testing. RRTs conduct quality control reviews of all tests performed and all pulmonary diagnostic equipment. They maintain lab records. They train and assess staff competencies in performing simple spirometry.

Major Duties:

• Performs diagnostic evaluation including but not limited to; Spirometry Before and After Bronchodilator, Lung Volume Determinations, Diffusing Capacity Determination, Slow Vital Capacity measurement, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation, Cardio- Pulmonary Exercise Testing, Bronchoprovocation Challenge Testing, Arterial Blood Gas interpretation - this includes patient instruction, testing, equipment/computer setup and interface, troubleshooting, and preliminary interpretation
• Monitors and evaluates patient performance during procedures and evaluates' response to PFT and recommends changes based on information obtained
• Provides patient with clear, concise instructions and coach the patient to achieve the best, reproducible results
• Plans, provides and maintains a safe environment for patients, staff and families
• Provides consult service at the request of nursing staff or physician FLSA: Exempt BUS Code: 1276 Page 2 of 5
• Provides recommendations to the physician based on assessment/evaluation of patient
• Maintains knowledge of emergency airway management, pulmonary pharmacology and oxygen administration
• Recognizes changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately and communicates with other members of the healthcare team when changes in condition occur
• Ensures equipment and supplies are available for use
• Participates in evaluation of new equipment and services
• Participates in Continuous Improvement initiatives, monitors compliance within the PFT clinic area
• Resolves technical work problems with the aid of references, such as manuals, troubleshooting guides, and other reference sources
• Provides accurate, legible and complete documentation of patient care delivered and response to therapy
• Acts as liaison to providers for testing performed, equipment, supplies and requests for special services
• Recommends changes in the PFT Lab to improve services and patient care
• Assists with completion of department paperwork
• Assists in planning and implementing effective educational programs for in-services, orientation, continuing education, and other personnel training in the PFT Lab
• Provides additional, non-traditional services as determined by the DC VA Medical Center and department needs
• The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the process and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate for this position.
• The incumbent must develop skills through literature review of pulmonary medicine which include recognizing reproducibility of maneuvers and preliminary interpretation of diagnostic information.
• The Incumbent contributes ideas, plans and information to improve outpatient respiratory services.
• The incumbent administers routine and special pulmonary function testing.
• The Incumbent adheres to established standards of practice and exercises sound clinical judgement.

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 evaluation.
• 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

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information.
• 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.

GS-12 Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary)Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level

*Examples of duties at the GS-11 include, but are not limited to: Use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met; consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty; manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means; determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation; monitor critical systems; use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. 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.

License/Credential: Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Certification: Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing.
• Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing.
• Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing.
• Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data.
• Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring.

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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in environmentally controlled inpatient and outpatient care areas. Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors is involved. Moving and lifting supplies, bending, stooping, and possible exposure to body fluid is involved.

This position has been evaluated as a Level 1 in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) definition of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Level 1 positions in this category require the performance of tasks that are exposed to blood and potentially infectious body fluid.

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.