Clarification from the agency

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

Videos

VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ

This position serves as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for VISN 12 and is responsible for coordinating and local clinical oversight of the home oxygen and respiratory programs administered by Prosthetics. The RRT will report directly to the VISN 12 Prosthetics Home Respiratory Program Supervisor and will perform tasks as assigned.Duties include but not limited to:

• Performing self-assessments, facility progress reports, departmental or organizational reporting, patient home safety inspections or follow-ups related to high-risk behavior, program deficiency reports, patient satisfaction reports, priority patient concern follow-up and other duties assigned.
• Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases and administration devices, humidification and aerosols.
• Administer home oxygen and respiratory therapy equipment for outpatient use.
• Ensure all caregivers follow and adhere to all procedures, policies and standards.
• Monitor vendor schedules for addressing the needs of High-Risk patients.
• Conduct routine in-services for all staff and personnel affiliated with providing services to caregivers.
• Evaluate vendor performance and patient education issues.
• Patient/family education.
• Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk.
• Home oxygen evaluations.
• Liaison between the patient, VHA clinicians, Primary Care Physicians, prosthetics and pulmonary/respiratory personnel, contracted vendors, equipment manufacturers, and all governing bodies as to the administration of this program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm; Flexible hours negotiable
Compressed: Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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 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.

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

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 74032(f).
• Education. Must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
• Licensure. Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT.
• Credential. Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, candidates must also meet the following:

GS-11 Experience, Licensure and Credential:

• Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Experience includes: Obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data; 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 through the use of appropriate mechanical means; Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care; Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care; Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.

AND

• Must possess 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.

Preferred Experience: Licensed Registered Therapist with experience in home healthcare.

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: Respiratory Therapy Program functions primarily within the Prosthetics Department at each VA medical facility; environmental exposures and physical demands vary across the health care systems. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting, with intermittent bending, pulling, and ushing. Movement between work areas withing the health care system is expected. Occasional lifting of objects less than 20 pounds may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and can shift priorities based on patient and department needs.

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.