Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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. 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary). 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. Incumbent must hold a CPFT or RPFT. 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 but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing, exercise testing, metabolic testing, bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing. b. Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab. c. Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures. d. Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. e. Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. f. Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures. g. Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures. Preferred Experience: At least 5 years of ICU, PFT, EBUS, CPET, and bronchoscopy experience preferred. 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-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″ to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), and hearing with out aid. Environmental factors include unusual fatigue factor of wearing lead apron during procedures, and working closely with others.
This assignment is above the full performance level. Registered Respiratory Therapists, at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care to patients in the medical center and may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. The incumbent will perform the work in a setting involving regular and recurring exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, odors, exposure to air, mucus, and blood-borne pathogens, and needle exposure.