Summary This Registered Respiratory Therapist specializes in Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to evaluate and treat patients with respiratory disorders. This RRT is responsible for the administration, coordination, and documentation of all PFT-related activities and works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality patient care. The employee must also maintain a working knowledge of TJC and American Thoracic society standards. Responsibilities Duties: Responsible for all testing performed in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory. Perform specific testing, including spirometry, lung mechanics studies using body plethysmography, and preoperative pulmonary function screenings. Ensure medication is ordered from the pharmacy. Complete appropriate permits for procedures. Perform all ordered spirometry, ensuring data accuracy for physician's final interpretation. Administer aerosolized bronchodilators for testing purposes. Conduct carbon monoxide diffusing capacity tests using the single breath method. Ensure arterial blood gases (ABG) are obtained and accurately interpret ABG data; report out-of-range results to the appropriate physician. Perform quality control on all equipment following manufacturer guidelines prior to testing. Maintain inventory and report needed supplies to ensure laboratory readiness. Conduct complex pulmonary function tests, including exercise testing, metabolic testing, and bronchoprovocation testing. Perform initial and daily quality review and calibration of testing equipment. Establish and maintain a quality assurance program related to the lab. Review, collect, and evaluate relevant clinical data. Monitor patients, recognize when assistance is needed, and initiate interventions for complications. Communicate changes and recommendations effectively with the healthcare team. Perform emergency and acute respiratory therapy procedures, including airway management, bronchodilator nebulization, supplemental oxygen, ventilation, and CPR. Provide training and competency assessments for staff. Offer education and training to patients, family members, students, and coworkers to obtain optimal test results. Perform other duties as assigned and work overtime/on-call as required (inpatient). Incumbent works independently and is under limited clinical and administrative and general supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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-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. 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: GS-12 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Certification. Incumbent must hold a Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or a Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing to include but not limited to cardiopulmonary stress testing, exercise testing, metabolic testing, bronchoprovocation testing and shunt testing. Ability to establish a quality control program related to pulmonary function lab. Skill in analyzing physiologic specimen and information from basic diagnostic procedures. Skill in assessing for signs and symptoms of adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. Skill in determining appropriate intervention for adverse actions to medications and or testing procedures. Ability to provide training in advanced pulmonary function procedures. Ability to provide clinical consultation in advanced pulmonary function procedures. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11, dated April 15, 2002 and Appendix G27, Appendix J, dated March 17, 2006. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift to assist patients with transfers or ambulation. The position requires several miles of walking per day within the health center and at times may require climbing several flights of stairs. There may also be sedentary work where the therapist will be sitting for several continuous hours. 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 Receiving Service Credit for 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. 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.
