Duties
- Thorough respiratory care assessment skills to independently evaluate patients' needs.
- Ability to communicate with providers, patients, caregivers and any family members along with a strong ability to identify and deescalate events leaning to successful communication.
- Experience with CPRS, consulting package, (Console tracking manager) CTM, Microsoft, etc.
- Perform pulmonary function testing which includes, but not limited to calibration of equipment, various diagnostic tests including Spirometry, Single Breath Diffusion (DLCO), Plethysmography (VTG), home evaluations/6-minute walk test.
- Proficient at performing arterial blood gases sampling, analysis, interpretation, and intervention.
- Evaluate/monitor patient's response to therapy and recommend changes based on information obtained.
- Complete consults/clinical procedures following established Hospital procedures.
- Exhibits strong clinical skills that improve patient care as well as excellent interpersonal relationship skills in communicating health care information to patients, family, and interdisciplinary health care teams.
- Recognition of the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk.
- Travel as needed with the Tampa VA catchment area.
- Requires strong computer skills, entering collecting/downloading data of patients results following procedures utilizing Somnoware, Airview, ROES, software.
- Independently evaluate sleep related breathing disorders patients, and titrate pressures, download data, review compliance and fit patients with appropriate interface devices to achieve the physicians' therapeutic goals.
- Portable Home Sleep Monitor to include assessment, education, equipment setup and downloading patient data.
- Providing TeleHealth services for (CPAP/Home sleep) **This is not a virtual position, Telehealth service are provided on site.
- The delivery of the complete spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic services provided within respiratory services at the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8-hour tours, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Throughout the orientation process, moving to an approved compressed work schedule that may include weekends and holidays.
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
Requirements
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.
- Maintains a current CPR (BLS). Advanced Cardiac Life Support is recommended.
- Maintains current proficiency and competency standards for the outpatient service group.
- Have a sound practical understanding of the daily activities associated with working in an Outpatient Respiratory Care Section.
- Proficient in operating all Outpatient Patient Respiratory equipment.
- Thorough assessment skills to evaluate outpatient respiratory/sleep services for appropriate needs.
- Ability to speak with providers, patients, caregivers, and family professionally.
Physical Requirements: Work is primarily in all patient care areas (in-patient and outpatient). All Respiratory Therapist will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. The Respiratory Therapist is expected to be able to move, push, repeatedly bending, walking, standing, and kneeling while performing duties with equipment, supplies, and patients. Ability to handle varying levels of stress in a positive manner. All Respiratory Therapists must be able to perform the following physical requirements: heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, reaching above the shoulder, both hands, legs, and eyes are required, ability to distinguish basic colors.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
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 applicant's 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.
Review our 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.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
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.
- Proof of a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT.
- Proof of a valid, unrestricted credential of RRT by the NBRC.
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.