Registered Respiratory Therapist- Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist.

Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at the GS-11 level serves primarily in Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Tobacco Cessation and uses advanced respiratory therapy knowledge to assess and educate Veterans with chronic pulmonary disease, coordinate individualized pulmonary rehabilitation services, provide evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions, and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to support safe, effective, Veteran-centered care.

Duties

• The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is responsible for providing the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care to Veterans with cardiopulmonary deficiencies, diseases, and abnormalities in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments including medication delivery, oxygen therapy, aerosol/humidification therapy, and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, end tidal CO2 (ETCo2) monitors, oxygen delivery devices, and oximetry monitors Performs patient assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other appropriate means to develop and implement a plan of care, including initiating protocols and monitoring critical systems Performs bedside diagnostic tests including arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, and basic spirometry to assess the respiratory status of patients Manages and maintains airway and ventilation of patients through use of appropriate mechanical means, including artificial airways and advanced modes of ventilation Calibrates complex respiratory equipment such as ventilators and analyzers to assure accurate and safe performance Performs routine respiratory therapy treatments to inpatient and outpatient populations including administering oxygen, therapeutic aerosols, Aerobika, and chest physical therapy; draws arterial blood samples via arterial puncture for laboratory analysis Consults collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality patient care, recommend changes in treatment based on patient observation and diagnostic test values, and contribute to favorable patient outcomes Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel on treatment modalities, medications, equipment setup and operation, and applicable cleaning and safety precautions Documents patient treatment, findings, and progress notes accurately and timely in the electronic medical record (e.g., CPRS, Vista Imaging) Provides outpatient services including PAP therapy, oxygen therapy, home ventilator management, and COPD case management via face-to-face and Tele/VVC encounters Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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. Please select the response below, that represents how you meet the education requirement. 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. 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. 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: 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 as 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 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 efficiency of therapeutic modalities. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Preferred Experience: Two years of experience in smoking cessation support, with a proven track record in developing and implementing program initiatives. Demonstrated ability to build and enhance programs to meet organizational goals. Strong computer skills, including the ability to utilize digital tools and systems to support program operations and data 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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

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

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13045376. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 09/10/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.