Registered Respiratory Therapist

Major Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Collect review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records care team patient and patients family to ensure appropriate care when indicated.
• Performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients. Example; perform manual ventilation insertion of tracheal tubes using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values.
• Apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment history lung auscultation chest x-ray pulse oximetry etc.
• Communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate.
• Make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values.
• Perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures.
• Performing advanced airway and ventilation management as well as evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
• Perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards.
• Will evaluate and refer patients for evaluation to pulmonary and sleep providers.

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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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:

• 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 38 U.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-07 level
  • 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. (e)
  • Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment.
• 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).

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements

• Experience Education Licensure and Registration.
  • In addition to the basic requirements candidates must possess their RRT credential.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and 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.

• Experience or Education Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:
  • One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR
  • A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and 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. iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

• 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and 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.