Clarification from the agency

This position is open to the public. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Registered Respiratory Therapist will assist the Pulmonary Medicine providers in determining which veterans need supplemental PAP unit or other apnea devices. The responsibilities will include serving as a liaison between clinicians, veterans in need of home PAP unit, and the outside provider to facilitate the efficient.

• Will assess compliance with medications and perform relevant functional status evaluations, including measurement of oxygen saturation.
• Inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies.
• Measure vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate).
• Evaluate patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles.
• Measure and document oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during sleep, ambulation, and exercise).
• Maintain a computerized database on all veterans with respiratory disorders who require CPAP, BIPAP, including relevant demographic data, diagnosis, pertinent historical data, current prescription, proper equipment, and annual veteran consultations.
• Will notify provider(s) of veterans that do not meet VHA medical criteria for receiving PAP unit and collaborate with local contracted vendor clinician(s) as the VA clinical contract for the HomeOxygen/Respiratory Care Program regarding the veteran's medical concerns with follow through to veterans and provider(s).
• Assures information exchange with colleagues is open and constructive. Consistently participates in information exchange via E-mail, informal discussions, and planned meetings. Shares information with the program team and provides information in writing to Sleep Services, Chief of Respiratory Care.
• Will also be responsible for helping Home oxygen clinic and Home sleep study clinic
• Assures that a thorough and accurate home respiratory prescription is entered in Computer systems in a timely manner. Assures appropriate and timely follow up when concerns or issues are raised.
• Acquires new knowledge and skills as necessary relevant to sleep disorders and home respiratory care.
• Consistently participates in information exchange via E-mail, informal discussions, and planned meetings. Shares information with the program team and provides information in writing to Sleep Services; Chief of Respiratory Care and to the Chief of Sleep Medicine, when indicated.
• Will be responsible for reporting backlogs, difficulties in meeting deadlines, uncooperative patients, and/or clinicians, and/or difficulty in securing information from clinicians or the medical record.
• The PAP Clinic RT will be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained to carry out required duties and will routinely communicates with provider(s), case managers, and other allied health professional staff using sound interpersonal skills, remains constantly aware of the sensitive information .

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.

• 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.

Basic RequirementsCitizenship. 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.

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).

Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.

Licensure-Documentation Submitted. 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.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS
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:

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07
Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.

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

• Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation

• 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.