Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

This Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) position will be stationed at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center. This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data from the medical records; care team, patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated. Assists the PCP (Primary Care Provider) in formulating an appropriate Respiratory Care plan based upon patient assessment, history, lung auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc. The Therapist will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to benefit patient care and assist the Provider in formulating an appropriate Home Respiratory Care Plan based upon patient assessment, history, oxygen assessment, data review and standard protocols. The Therapist will provide effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, coworkers, etc., as appropriate. Education and support will be provided to patients in such a manner that promotes an understanding of and compliance with therapy. Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures, including pulse oximetry, arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, Feno testing and Pulmonary Function testing. Follows procedures for patient identification, sample procurement, and specimen labeling. Maintains current BLS certification, respiratory licensure and current intubation training, as required by current policy. Performs other duties as may be assigned. Work Schedule: 9:00am-7:30pm rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD91320A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Must provide copy of education certification. Licensure. Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT. Must provide copy of license. Credential. Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. Must provide copy of credentialing. 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). 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 assignment as follows. GS-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position requires sitting, constant walking, standing, stretching, bending, and carrying light to medium. Exposure to meeting with employees and external contacts who may be angry and/or upset. May observe patient suffering. Ability to read printed material, such as reports and Standard Operating Procedures. Ability to view information on computer screens and in CPRS orders. Ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around work space safely. Ability to adapt to successfully perform in high stress environments with constant interruptions, emergent/critical/unusual situations, high volume urgency of issues, and interactions with a wide variety of professionals and personalities. Ability to work alone and perform a variety of duties, changing one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure, and consistently meet department work schedule demands, including documentation and participation in workgroup, committees, etc. Ability to read printed material, gauges, computer monitor, and distinguish colors, such as color monitors or reading doctor's orders and visualizing the hue of patient's skin, wounds, etc.

Requirements

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 identification 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.

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 09/08/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13044392. 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. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.