Registered Respiratory Therapist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. 1st area of consideration: current permanent New Jersey VA Medical Center employees. 2nd area of consideration: current permanent VHA employees.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Independently administers 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 patient's trachea to provide controlled breathing consistent with the VA NJHCS NORAM - Non-Operating Room Airway Management policy.
• Setup and monitors 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 patient's ventilation status.
• Initially and continuously assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination, respiratory monitoring, and diagnostic equipment.
• Performs airway and endo-tracheal intubation and tube care on patients with artificial airways, including cleaning and securing the trach and endotracheal tube site, in-line suctioning, monitoring tube cuff pressure and inspecting equipment and patient to ensure proper function.
• Operates suction catheters attached to vacuum to remove secretions from patients' airways.
• Places nasal and oropharyngeal airways and performing nasal and tracheal suctioning.
• Perform chest physiotherapy using mechanical equipment or manual techniques.
• Sets up and monitors oxygen delivery devices such as cannulas, masks, t-adaptors, face tents, humidifiers and aerosols containing prescribed medication to patients using standard respiratory equipment.
• Demonstrates competency for obtaining arterial blood gas samples from patients using ABG kit, heparinized needle with syringe, and from Arterial Line.
• During transport of patients with artificial airways, maintain the patient's airway, ensure ventilation, monitor respiration and oxygen saturation, and perform manual ventilations or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, when necessary, as per AHA guidelines.
• Perform patient clinical assessment, equipment setup, education and troubleshooting in areas of bronchial hygiene and lung expansion, home oxygen use, airway care, CPAP and Bi-Level machine and related equipment use, and COPD case management in the outpatient setting.
• Documents treatments, pre and post Tx. assessment and results of various checks, tests, procedures, and education pertinent to patient care in CPRS, BCMA. Completes patient care as ordered in Respiratory Consult and closes consults.
• Assists in implementing solutions to technical and clinical work problems not covered by precedent or established procedures.
• Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs and evaluation of existing programs, lead projects developing new policies, works on the Root Cause Analysis team to determine best practices for our medical center.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment.
• Performing Bedside spirometry for inpatient and Pulmonary Function tests for inpatients and Outpatient when trained and deemed competent.
• May assist with the equipment set-up and bronchoscopy procedure.

Work Schedule: Intermittent, hours are varied and will be discussed based on needs of the facility.
Compressed/Flexible: Not available.
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 14261F

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 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 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:

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.

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).

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.
  • 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.
• Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care.

Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation.
• Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA.

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.
• 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: 3 years of Adult critical Experience and 3 years of Pulmonary Function Testing Experience highly preferred.

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.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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.

• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Please provide your RRT credential.
• 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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