Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities If you are not a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply to CBST-12542735-24-TB. The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at this grade level is responsible for the following assignments with minimal or no clinical supervision from an RRT at the full performance level in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members. They use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care. They place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning. RRTs obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples. They perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. Duties include but are not limited to: Provide respiratory care to critically ill and/or poor risk patients in ICU and Step Down units. Administer oxygen, aerosol, humidity, and positive pressure breathing therapy. Position patient and perform chest physiotherapy and drainage, noting the effectiveness of therapy. Implement adult artificial ventilation upon physician's orders. Maintain and monitor ventilator patients as required and make adjustments based on blood gas analysis with the physician's approval. Administer prescribed medications that pertain to the field, note contraindications and/or adverse reactions, and notify the physician and recommend corrective therapy as indicated. Perform arterial blood gas analysis from arterial puncture or arterial line. Analyze blood with the mechanical analyzer, interpret the results of the analysis, consult with the physician on the results, and make recommendations. Perform maintenance, calibrations, repair, and quality control of the blood gas analyzers. Provide emergency respiratory therapy treatments to critically ill patients. Monitor patient reactions to therapy with the use of pulse oximetry. Perform pulmonary function tests including spirometry, lung volumes, and exercise testing. Work overtime as required by the needs of the department. Document in the progress notes and other areas all pertinent information regarding patient response and tolerance to all forms of therapy and test procedures performed. Participate in research projects under the direction of the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy. Perform other duties, applicable to the Respiratory Care department as requested by a Supervisor of the Respiratory Care department Work Schedule: NIGHTS ONLY; 6:00pm-6:00am (1st Week: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (2d Week: Wednesday and Thursday); subject to change based on the needs of the facility Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 502-00745-F / 502-00746-F / 502-00747-F / 502-00748-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact terrell.gorham@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Language Proficiency: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education: Applicant must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the a CoARC or its successor. Licensure: Applicant appointed or reassigned must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT. Credential: Applicant appointed or reassigned must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. 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. (a) 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 38 U.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 b be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level. (b) 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. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment 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, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level). Respiratory Therapist - GS5: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure: This level assignment is designated as a temporary under paragraph 4d(1) for applicants 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 Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-7: Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirement above, applicants must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care 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 Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-9: Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential: Applicant must have: (1) One year of creditable experiencer equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level OR (2) A Master of Science degree in respiratory are AND a license AND as RRT credential Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, applicants must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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 Registered Respiratory Therapist - GS-11: Experience, Licensure, and Credential. Applicants must have: (1) One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. (2) 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 professional for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities Skill in preforming advanced airway and ventilation management Preferred Experience: Two years RRT 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 GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. 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/. Additional Information 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.