Registered Respiratory Therapist

The major duties of the Registered Respiratory Therapist includes but is not limited to:

• Provides CPR and oxygen needed to patients during cardiac and/or respiratory emergencies.
• Participates with medical and nursing staff in treatment planning for patients with respiratory needs. This includes making recommendations to physicians regarding alterations in treatment plans.
• Responsible for assessing the respiratory status of patients by observing pulse rate observing respiratory rate auscultation of breath sounds monitoring SpO2 and interpretation of blood gas results.
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
• Must know the JCAHO Home Care standards relating to home oxygen and home respiratory equipment.
• Must follow the Home Oxygen Program VHA Directive 1173.13. This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directive provides policy and assigns responsibilities for administering the Home Oxygen Program to eligible Veterans.
• May lead projects developing new policies procedures or protocols.
• Cleans assembles calibrates and monitors complex respiratory/diagnostic equipment.
• Draws arterial blood samples and recommends potential changes in patient care plans based on results. Can report and make recommendations of venous blood gas results.
• Documents patient care and/or procedures performed accurately in the computerized medical record system on worksheets and/or in logs as required.
• Order / coordinate with the vendor a care plan to ensure the patients travel oxygen needs are met during the duration of his/her travel.
• Coordinates with Prosthetic Services and Vendor to ensure patient receives appropriate equipment and services.

Work Schedule: PRN/Intermittent various days Monday - Friday. 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m or 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Based on need.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92873-A
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.
• 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 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.

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.
• 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 above 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-11.

(a) 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.

(b) 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.

Preferred Experience: Home oxygen clinic experience is preferred and a minimum of 4 years of experience as a registered respiratory therapist.


Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.