Clarification from the agency

Open to all current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, Past/Current/Upcoming VHA HPT Graduates, Other federal agency employees, Veterans, and the Public. First area of consideration will be given to Tampa VAMC employees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Clinical Support & Patient Care

• Administer therapeutic and diagnostic procedures involving medical gases, humidification, aerosols, and cardiopulmonary medications.
• Provide ventilatory support, including setup, maintenance, and monitoring of life support systems and ventilator alarms.
• Perform bronchopulmonary drainage, breathing exercises, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Insert and maintain airways (e.g., tracheostomies) as clinically indicated.
• Evaluate patients and identify when medical intervention is necessary to ensure safety.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers on respiratory care techniques and equipment use.
• Support TeleHealth services across all care settings.

Logistics & Equipment Management

• Review daily routing sheets to prepare and deliver appropriate oxygen equipment and supplies.
• Operate a variety of vehicles (sedans, cargo vans, trucks up to 21,000 lbs.) including those with power lift gates, in compliance with JAHVA requirements.
• Conduct pre-trip vehicle inspections, refueling, and minor emergency repairs; maintain vehicle cleanliness and readiness.
• Safely load, unload, and secure equipment and oxygen cylinders using proper techniques.
• Maintain supply par levels and return excess equipment to stock for reissue.
• Follow warehousing standards for storing and stacking equipment to prevent damage or contamination.

Administrative & Compliance Duties

• Maintain accurate documentation including travel logs, vehicle inspections, and emergency equipment checks.
• Process and distribute incoming and outgoing mail in accordance with VA and postal regulations.
• Complete all required training, including patient safety, fall prevention, fire safety, and respiratory equipment updates.
• Maintain current CPR/BLS certification and assist medical personnel as needed.
• Maintain TMS training
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations related to respiratory care and medical equipment transport.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm (alternating weekends and holidays maybe also required)
Compressed/Flexible:Maybe available based on the needs of the service.
Functional Statement #: 72172F, 72173F, 72174F, and 70909F
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.
• 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).
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (Veterans' Preference Eligible Applicants) -OR- a 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 probationary period or 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.

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: Successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor is required. (If your school program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, or has changed names, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating).

• NOTE: A transcript from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions must be submitted with your application.

Licensure: A full, current and unrestricted license from an state to practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is required.

• NOTE: You must submit a copy of your license(s) with your application.

Credential: A valid, current, unrestricted credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is required.

• NOTE: You must submit a copy of your credential(s) with your application.

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.

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 - In addition to the Basic Requirements for employment above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignments as follows:

Respiratory Therapist, GS-05.

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) within the Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standard 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.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07

• Experience, Education, Licensure -AND- Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09

• Experience -OR-Education, -AND- 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; -AND- a license -AND- an RRT credential.
  • -OR-
  • A Master of Science degree in respiratory care -AND- a license -AND- an RRT credential.

-AND-

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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.

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.

-AND-

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0601-RegisteredRespiratoryTherapist.pdf.

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.

Statement of Preferred Experience and Requirements.

• Licensed Respiratory Therapist with clinical experience in home respiratory care.
• Valid drivers' license and ability to meet JAHVA driving and insurance requirements.
• Proficient in operating and maintaining respiratory care equipment and medical vehicles.
• Proficient in operating all Outpatient Patient Respiratory equipment.
• Strong communication, documentation, and patient education skills.
• CRP/BLS certification required.

• Work is performed in outpatient clinics, patient homes, SNFs, ALFs, and HPBC settings.
• Required frequent interaction with patients, caregivers, and healthcare staff.
• Exposed to environment hazards during work.
• Involves physical exertion such as lifting 45 lbs. bending, stooping, and prolonged driving.
• Must be able to operate vehicles in various weather and road conditions.

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
• Other (1)
• 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.

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