Registered Respiratory Therapist
Job Location:
East Orange, NJ - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The Registered Respiratory Therapist consults 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.
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will perform Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) for inpatients and outpatients including but not limited to spirometry lung volumes via body plethysmography and N2 washout diffusion and challenge testing. They maintain the PFT lab equipment supplies and schedule.
The RRT 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.
The Respiratory Therapist (RT) serves in a critical care setting with responsibility for independently administering a variety of complex treatments and tests to both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients in all areas of the Medical Center as required.
During emergency situations the RT serves as a member of the Code Blue team in response to Cardiac and/or Respiratory arrests and is responsible independently inserting artificial airways into patients trachea to provide controlled breathing consistent with the VA NJHCS NORAM - Non-Operating Room Airway Management policy. They initiate manual ventilation using a manual resuscitation bag or bag-valve-mask (BVM) and maintain ventilation. RT is involved with the Rapid Response Team and responds to all calls in order to assess any respiratory needs.
Set up and monitor a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume or pressure ventilators for critical care patients. Based on patient assessment and analysis of arterial blood gas data independently adjusts ventilator settings in order to change the patients ventilation status. Apply advanced ventilation techniques such as pressure control ventilation tube compensation volume and pressure support ventilation. Monitors patients closely to avoid complications and to alter the plan as necessary.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 14261F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
- 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 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.
- 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.
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:
Citizenship: 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.
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.
Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Assignments. 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 where 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.
Preferred Experience: 3 Years Critical Care experience and 3 Years Pulmonary Function Testing with Quality Control experience preferred. CPFT or RPFT highly preferred.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is at the GS-11 level.
Physical Requirements: The work will fluctuate from sedentary to moderate physical requirements requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending reaching stooping and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and or ventilator equipment > 25lbs lifting from the knees <10lbs. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
