Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent Veterans Health Administration employees and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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Duties include, however, not limited to:

• Equipment selection and setup to appropriately provide care ordered by physician or protocol.
• Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices, humidification and aerosols.
• Administration of medication to the cardiopulmonary system.
• Transport of patients to and from areas for special procedures on oxygen, BiPAP, or transport ventilators.
• Verification of all orders before implementation.
• Discontinuation or exchange of all equipment and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with VHA Directives and facility and department policies.
• Maintenance of natural and artificial airways as necessary, including endotracheal suctioning, oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal. suctioning, sputum induction, tracheal lavage, and securing of nasal or oral endotracheal tubes or tracheostomies.
• Ventilatory support, including initiation, maintenance, and management of life support systems, and the patient/ventilator interface.
• Administration of mixed gases (e.g., nitric oxide mix, others as implemented per policy).
• Bedside training of physicians-in-training and medical residents through patient contacts, discussions, consultations.
• Monitoring patient status as appropriate via arterial blood gases, chest auscultation, review of x-ray studies, clinical observation.
• Weaning and removal of ventilator support, with appropriate monitoring of patient and assessment of ability to maintain reliable spontaneous ventilation.
• Bronchopulmonary drainage and breathing exercises.
• Assurance of proper performance of all respiratory equipment used in patient care.
• Assistance with bronchoscopy as needed, once oriented.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Participation in Rapid Response Team (RRT) and medical emergencies throughout facilities.
• Assistance with insertion and maintenance of artificial airways including but not limited to endotracheal tubes (ET) and intubating laryngotracheal mask (ILMA) airways.
• Arterial punctures and arterial line draws.
• Blood gas analysis and associated quality control procedures, performed in accordance with qualification and performance guidelines developed by the College of American Pathologists and The Joint Commission.
• Notification of physician regarding abnormal results and the need for associated action relative to the patient's ventilatory and oxygenation status.
• Documentation of notification of critical values to appropriate care providers.
• Patient/family education.
• Collaboration/consultation with attending physicians, residents, fellows, interns, PAs, Nurse Practitioners, other hospital staff.
• Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk.
• Home oxygen evaluations.
• Appropriate, accurate and complete documentation for all services.
• Complete and detailed report of shift occurrences and patients' status for oncoming staff.
• Various other duties as assigned. Equipment selection and setup to appropriately provide care ordered by physician or protocol.
• Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices, humidification and aerosols.
• Administration of medication to the cardiopulmonary system.
• Transport of patients to and from areas for special procedures on oxygen, BiPAP, or transport ventilators.
• Verification of all orders before implementation.
• Discontinuation or exchange of all equipment, and reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with VHA Directives and facility and department policies.
• Maintenance of natural and artificial airways as necessary, including endotracheal suctioning, oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal suctioning, sputum induction, tracheal lavage, and securing of nasal or oral endotracheal tubes or tracheostomies.
• Ventilatory support, including initiation, maintenance, and management of life support systems, and the patient/ventilator interface.
• Bedside training of physicians-in-training and medical residents through patient contacts, discussions, consultations.
• Monitoring patient status as appropriate via arterial blood gases, chest auscultation, review of x-ray studies, clinical observation.
• Various other duties as assigned. The RRT practices professionally; must be reliable, able to work independently, and be self-motivated. The RRT is responsible for performing job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of Joseph Maxwell Atlanta VAHCS.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Work subject to change based on agency needs).
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 51665F
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 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.

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.(a) 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.

(b) 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.

Grade Determinations:
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 were 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11 .

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

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously both eyes, depth perception, and hearing (aid permitted). Environmental factors include radiant energy, working closely with others and working alone.

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.