Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) Job in Cape Coral, FL

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Internal to an agency

  Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Duties

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (Pulmonary) is responsible for providing all modalities of direct patient respiratory care as outlined in the Respiratory Therapy Policy and Procedure Manual and performing job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

Duties of the RRT may include but are not limited to:

• Ensures that the Pulmonary Function laboratory meets all JCAHO and regulatory guidelines.
• Calibrates Body Plethysmograph and Viaysis systems to perform a Full Set of Pulmonary Function Tests. Ensures that the system passed calibrations.
• Set-up the Viaysis Comprehensive Pulmonary Lab and Sensormedics VMax Plethysmograph systems to perform a full complement of Pulmonary Function Tests. This includes filter, hoses, and printer set-up.
• Perform a complete set of Pulmonary Function Tests on patients; these tests include: Spirometry Before and After Bronchodilator, Lung Volume Determinations, Diffusing Capacity Determination, Slow Vital Capacity measurement, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation, and measurement of Airway Resistance and Conductance.
• Performs Methacholine Challenge Tests {pharmcological induced asthma testing) and work with ordering physician to coordinate date of testing. Make data available for physician interpretation.
• Performs Pulmonary Exercise Stress Testing and exercise induced asthma testing. Completes data analysis post exercise.
• Perform routine maintenance on Arterial Blood gas analyzer.
• Ensure that automatic calibration of Arterial Blood Gas equipment has been performed and that QA measurements on this instrument are acceptable as per laboratory policy.
• Draws Arterial Blood Gases to determine pH, pCO2, pO2. This procedure should be followed as per departmental policy and all safety concerns for the patient taken into consideration.
• Analyze Arterial Blood specimen using the ABL blood gas analyzer and ensure that blood gas results are electronically transmitted to patient's CPRS chart.
• Provides supplemental oxygen (bag-mask ventilation, non-rebreather mask, venti-mask, simple mask, nasal cannula) when required in the PFT laboratory.
• Completes Home Oxygen Evaluations.
• Perform Respiratory Therapy procedures and demonstrates proficiency in the use of Oxygen concentrators, Oxygen conserving devices and pulse oximeters.
• Perform nebulizer and MDI medication administration.
• Performs routine electrocardiograms.
• Instruct patients on the proper use of various types of MDI medication.
• Identify operating supplies for the Plethysmograph and Pulmonary Function procedures and submit list to supervisor for ordering of these supplies.
• When not performing testing, enter patient test results in CPRS and in the general cleaning and supply organization of the Laboratory.
• Assist in identifying changes to departmental policy to be current and in compliance with VA Directives.
• Changes all breathing hoses and wipes down equipment prior to patient testing and immediately after testing ensuring that new filter is employed on every patient that gets tested.
• Patient setup, calibration, and acquisition performance verification of BIPAP and CPAP devices.
• Patient setup, calibration and download of Home Sleep studies and overnight oximeters.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/11/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12743154.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.