Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens.

Major Duties:

• Administrative Duties- Entering data in CPRS documenting procedure completed on assigned patients and patient tolerance to procedures to include Pulmonary Tests, Horne 02 Evaluation notes, Home 02/CPAP Prosthetic consults and CPAP notes.
• Clinical Duties- are the actual performance of the Registered Respiratory Therapist in support of patient care and consistent with orders from Medical and Pulmonary doctors.
  • Perform assessments for patients in need of Home Oxygen by administering Six Minute Exercise Tests.
  • Calibrate Pulmonary equipment daily prior to testing.
  • Perform Full Pulmonary Function Tests that include Pre and Post Spirometry, Lung Volumes, Diffusing Capacity, MVV, MIP/MEP and Airway Resistance.
  • Perform Full Pulmonary Function tests in accordance to ATS/AARC standards and prepare test results for Physician interpretation appropriately.
  • Completes initial home CPAP/BiPAP setup/education and follow up. Works with various CPAP/BiPAP units and ensure appropriate supply level.
  • Works with various computers and various software programs to; support patient care, develop and maintain data bases, enter patient data into CPRS, track information and create reports.
  • Provides and maintains relevant documentation of all activities for review by the Joint Commission.
  • Enter Home Oxygen results in CPRS under Home Oxygen and Prosthetic Home Oxygen Consults.
  • Performs clinical review of home oxygen contractor's reports for prescription compliance and resolution of noted issues.
  • Participates and completes Horne Oxygen/Ventilator vendor inspections. Performs assessments of patients who smoke to determine and assign level of risk designation.
  • Notifies Prosthetics of high-risk patients regarding safety issues.
  • Acts as a liaison for questions, compliments, and complaints from patients, nurses, physicians, respiratory care, the VA vendor and Prosthetics staff.
  • Exercises a high degree of skill and sound judgment in applying health care knowledge to the analysis and resolution of issues related to quality of care.
  • Review ABG results in CPRS.
  • Demonstrate safety and use of portable oxygen equipment.
  • Place notes in CPRS and use established templates to document procedures completed in support of patient care.
  • Understand the function and maintenance of portable oxygen concentrators.
  • Be able to provide technical assistance over the phone to Pulmonary/Home O2 patients. Assist patient with transport when needed. - Complete requests for Horne 02, Home Ventilators, CPAP/BIPAP, Trach Supply and all 02 Ventilator Home Care needs.
  • Consistently responds to requests for assistance promptly and in a friendly, cooperative manner.
  • Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
  • Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy and VHA policy.
  • Provides educational support to meet needs of the patients and families and provides ongoing technical support as needed.
  • Review patient Home Oxygen prescriptions monthly and ensure timely renewal.
  • Perform Bronchoscopy, EBUS, RADIAL, NAVIGATIONAL Robotic Bronchoscopy procedures.
  • Set up Robotic Computer for Bronchoscopy procedure.
  • Work with Provation for Bronchoscopy workflow.
  • Operate various Bronchoscopy instruments to collect lung samples.
  • Operate and perform NIOX testing.
• Teaching Duties - include teaching the patients and other health care professionals on proper equipment set-up, and these include conserving devices, various portable oxygen systems and documentation.

Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday
Telework: Ad-Hoc only.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53732-F
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.
• 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

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.
  • (1) 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 providedbelow.
    • (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 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.
    • RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT.
    • Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
    • 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. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder.

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:
GS-05:

1. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
2. 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.

GS-07:

1. Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.
2. 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.

GS-09:

1. 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.
2. 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.

GS-11:

1. 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.
2. 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: REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (RRT) - Pulmonary Function Lab

1. Hold an active license and RRT credential with minimum of 5 years clinical experience in fundamental and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Examples include but not limited to: Arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen administration, CPAP/ BiPAP set up and management, sleep studies etc.
2. Prefer experience with the ability to perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting or adjustment and re-evaluation of patients for equipment usage and function.
3. Prefer minimum of 1 year experience administering positive airway pressure therapy with the application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) devices.
4. Minimum of 1 year experience working with the setup of CPAP, Bi-level, AVAP units, as well as other units involving unique setting for patients requiring specific therapy, i.e., IPAP, EPAP, Back Up Rates, Supplemental OS, Pressure Support, etc.
5. Minimum of 1 year experience administering oxygen therapy with various devices to include Nasal Cannula, Venti-Mask, Non-Rebreathing Mask, High-Flow systems when needed and ordered by the physician. Understand function and set-up of oxygen conserving devices.
6. Minimum 1 year experience as team lead/member with the ability to distribute workload assignments appropriately and able to work with minimal supervision.

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.

Qualification section will continue in Education section below:

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Hybrid Resume
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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