Summary Respiratory Therapy is a life-supporting, life-enhancing health care professional practice under qualified medical supervision. Respiratory care services, both diagnostic and therapeutic, are provided to patients with known or suspected disorders of the cardiopulmonary system. Responsibilities GS-5: Performs basic therapeutic modalities in all areas of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision. Primary duties include but are not limited to: 1.Medication delivery related to respiratory care 2.Initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy 3.Assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway 4.Evaluating, and performing aerosol humidification therapy 5.Spirometry to include bedside testing 6.Act as a liaison between veteran's and contracted vendors providing services, advocating for veterans, and ensuring prompt and appropriate delivery of services GS-7: Performs all aspects of respiratory care treatments and diagnostic studies with minimal clinical supervision. Primary duties include but are not limited to: 1.Complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members 2.They select and adapt respiratory care procedures as may be required based on patient status, recognizing the differing developmental and treatment needs of patients of different ages. Specifically, the differing needs of the adult and geriatric patient populations served 3.Manage or arrange delivery and set up of respiratory equipment such as home ventilators, sleep therapy equipment, oxygen therapy equipment, airway clearance devices, and COPD/ALS adjunct therapies 4.Spirometry to include bedside testing 5.Arterial blood gases and analysis and communicates the results to the respective physician after analysis is complete as required 6.Act as a liaison between veteran's and contracted vendors providing services, advocating for veterans, and ensuring prompt and appropriate delivery of services GS-9: Performs all aspects of respiratory care treatments and diagnostic studies in inpatient and outpatient settings under the general guidance of a full performance RRT. Primary duties include but are not limited to: 1.Manage or arrange delivery and set up of respiratory equipment such as home ventilators, sleep therapy equipment, oxygen therapy equipment, airway clearance devices, and COPD/ALS adjunct therapies 2.RRTs assess and evaluate patients to develop and recommend or implement a plan of care, using protocols in respiratory modalities, medications, advanced modes of ventilation, supplemental oxygen, and intubation 3.They select and adapt respiratory care procedures as may be required based on patient status, recognizing the differing developmental and treatment needs of patients of different ages. Specifically, the differing needs of the adult and geriatric patient populations served 4.Provides instructions to the patient and his/her family regarding theory, operation, cleaning, and actual use of cardiopulmonary treatment modalities to include but not limited to home suction devices, home ventilators, cough assist and chest physiotherapy 5.Act as a liaison between veteran's and contracted vendors providing services, advocating for veterans, and ensuring prompt and appropriate delivery of services 6.Lung function testing to include bedside, remote spirometry, and advanced pulmonary function testing in both inpatient and outpatient settings GS-11: Services performed by Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) at the full performance level are rendered in inpatient and outpatient settings in collaboration with the ordering provider, either by specific orders, policy, or established protocol. The primary duties include but are not limited to: 1.They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty 2.Provide outpatient services including but not limited to diagnostic testing for oxygen evaluation, home sleep testing and COPD case management 3.They select and adapt respiratory care procedures as may be required based on patient status, recognizing the differing developmental and treatment needs of patients of different ages. Specifically, the differing needs of the adult and geriatric patient populations served 4.Provides instructions to the patient and his/her family regarding theory, operation, cleaning, and actual use of cardiopulmonary treatment modalities to include but not limited to home suction devices, home ventilators, cough assist and chest physiotherapy 5.Manage or arrange delivery and set up of respiratory equipment such as home ventilators, sleep therapy equipment, oxygen therapy equipment, airway clearance devices, and COPD/ALS adjunct therapies 6.Act as a liaison between veteran's and contracted vendors providing services, advocating for veterans, and ensuring prompt and appropriate delivery of services Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Ad-hoc at Supervisor discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 05FS54396-A, 07FS54397-A, 09FS51426-A, 11FS51414-A 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. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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-0601series 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-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid,current, unrestricted credential of RRT. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). 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 38U.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-07level. 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; and3)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. 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 assignment. GS-5: (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above 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. GS-7: (a) Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. 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. iii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iv. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. v. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. GS-9: (a) Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. GS-11: (a)Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. (b)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities .iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Preferred Experience: Experience working in Durable Medical Equipment. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Sight corrected to 20/20 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other. Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Occasional heavy lifting 45 pounds or greater. Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds. Pushing 1 hour Reaching above shoulder Repeated stooping Repeated bending Occasional kneeling Prolonged Standing and walking Two hands with acceptable dexterity Ability to sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time. Possible exposure to body fluids is involved. Incumbent must possess and maintain a current unrestricted valid state driver's license The physical requirement varies with work assignments. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at vacofairchanceact@va.gov. Applicant written complaints should include the following: Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known). Date of contact. Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint. Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) for more information.