Summary

This position is eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 17 - 2026 with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals until positions are filled. Applicant Expiration: Applicants will remain active for 6 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time - you must update your application through your USA Jobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period. 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
• English Language Proficiency: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid - current - unrestricted NBRC credential of RRT
• Credential Exception: RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT
• These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below
• (a)VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential
• Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor - acquired the CRT credential - are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT
• The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment
• Candidates must hold an active - current - full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07level
• (b)RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received
• (c)RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT
• (d)Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
• Grandfathering Provision: 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: Respiratory Therapist - GS-05
• Experience - Education and License Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• Education and Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor - acquired the CRT credential - licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential
• Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-07
• Experience - Education - Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must possess their RRT credential
• AND 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
• Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-09
• Experience or Education - Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have: Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• OR Education: A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-11
• Experience - Licensure and Credential
• Candidates must have: Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level AND Hold 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: None above the published qualification standard for each grade
• 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• The duties of this occupation include but are not limited to the following: Collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes
• Evaluate the efficacies of therapeutic modalities
• Provide the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care
• Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments
• Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators - end tidal CO2 monitors - oxygen delivery devices - re- breathers and oximetry monitors
• Assess patients for Oxygen requirement per VA guidelines and educate veteran nebulizer treatment and spirometry - or any other outpatient modalities as determined by provider
• 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
• Calibrates complex respiratory equipment under guidance such as PFT analyzers to assure accurate performance
• Participates in CPAP clinic - assessing PAP compliance - ordering supplies - and providing necessary education to patients regarding PAP therapy
• Records treatment - findings and progress pertinent to patient care
• Provide equipment set up and cleaning - intraoperative assistance and processing of all clinical specimens in the performance of fiber optic bronchoscopies
• Assists physician performing bronchoscopy procedures
• Performs pulmonary function studies as required
• These include spirometry - lung volumes - diffusion capacity and bronchial provocation testing
• Delivers respiratory care as needed under guidance in the more complex respiratory care procedures and to poor risk patients such as those in the older age group
• Participates in the audit of respiratory care - recommending changes where indicated
• Provide care through outpatient services - such as Face to Face - TELE/VVC such as monitoring compliance - education on equipment setup/care and supply ordering for positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy - oxygen therapy and routine COPD management
• Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care using hospital policies and procedures - including appropriate cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines
• Orders and maintains a proper level of supplies
• Ensures that reports and procedures are processed and returned to the requesting physician on a timely basis
• Ensures that all machines and equipment are in good condition and are in compliance with all safety codes
• Report any problems immediately
• Monitor and maintain adequate levels of oxygen tanks in at least the Special Care Unit - the Post Anesthesia Care Unit - the medical/surgical wards - Emergency Department and the Nursing Home Care Unit
• Distribute tanks to various clinical areas as needed
• Collect empty tanks and return to the designated storage room
• Daily updates the tank level logs to reflect the number of empty and full tanks in stock
• All other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full Time Monday-Friday 8:00am -4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 608-F02865 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN1EDRPSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized