Registered Respiratory Therapist - (Pulmonary)

Clarification from the agency

Open to the public. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The core responsibility of this role is serving as a clinical liaison between pulmonary medical providers, veterans, and external equipment vendors. The therapist conducts clinical assessments, focused history takes, and physical examinations to evaluate treatment responses and compliance. Central to the position is downloading, tracking, and analyzing remote data from home CPAP and Bi-level devices to resolve compliance issues and educate families.
Additionally, the therapist maintains a computerized tracking database of patient demographics, equipment, and annual consultations. Beyond the clinic, the incumbent remains fully proficient in emergency settings, responding as a member of the rapid response team and performing advanced life support, blood gas sampling, and endotracheal intubation. The therapist also ensures equipment is decontaminated, properly maintained, and safe for home use.

Primary Duties, but not limited too:

• Clinical Assessments: Conduct clinical assessments, focused histories, and physical examinations of veterans with respiratory disorders to evaluate response to therapy.
• Clinic Liaison: Serve as the clinical liaison between clinicians, patients requiring home PAP units, and outside contracted vendors.
• Compliance Data Monitoring: Set up diagnostic studies, download, and interpret compliance data from remote respiratory and CPAP/Bi-level monitoring software.
• Compliance Interventions: Apply targeted instructional techniques and education to assist patients experiencing compliance issues with their devices.
• Provider Collaboration: Review and evaluate indications or contraindications for PAP therapy and notify providers of changes or failures to meet VHA criteria.
• Database Management: Maintain an accurate computerized database containing demographic data, diagnoses, historical medical data, and active equipment prescriptions.
• Emergency Response: Perform as an active member of the rapid response team, providing BLS, ACLS, and advanced airway management including endotracheal intubation.
• Diagnostic Sampling: Draw and analyze arterial or venous blood gas samples on an as-needed basis per provider orders.
• Equipment Troubleshooting: Assemble, clean, and troubleshoot respiratory equipment, including oxygen delivery, aerosol therapy, and lung expansion devices.
• Home Safety Education: Educate patients and caregivers on post-acute home safety, including oxygen fire prevention, electrical safety, and equipment infection control.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 41760F
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: 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).
• 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. Licensing within the respiratory occupation is outside of the credentialing process. Those who have obtained their degree from an accredited program in respiratory care and hold a CRT or RRT credential may be granted a license from a state.

Credential. In the field of respiratory care there are two types of credentials granted in the credentialing process to becoming registered as defined below:

• CRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, Respiratory Therapists (RT) are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of CRT by the NBRC. RTs who hold a CRT credential are limited in duties and responsibilities and differ from those who hold an RRT credential.
• RRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, RTs are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of RRT by the NBRC.

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, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
Experience, Licensure and Credential.
Candidates must have:
a. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
b. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Certification. Candidates must hold a CPFT or RPFT and RPSGT.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
In addition to the requirements above candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
a. Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include cardiopulmonary stress testing, metabolic testing and bronchoprovocation testing.
b. Ability to maintain all equipment related to pulmonary function and polysomnography testing.
c. Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function and polysomnography testing.
d. Knowledge of treatment for acute complications for all pulmonary function and polysomnography testing.
e. Skill in scoring data during and post diagnostic testing.
f. Skill in analyzing data during and post diagnostic testing.
g. Skill in preparing output for physician interpretation of data obtained both during and post diagnostic testing.
h. Skill in the calibrations and troubleshooting of polysomnographic equipment.
i. Skill in monitoring both physiologic and diagnostic parameters.

Preferred Experience:
Submission of Performance Appraisal
1 - 2 years respiratory care experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11.

Physical Requirements: See VA HANDBOOK 5005/141

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 (VA)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• 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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