Summary
The Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) position is located in the Medicine/Respiratory Care section of the West Palm Beach Healthcare System. Functioning at the GS-11 grade level, this non-exempt, non-supervisory professional manages and evaluates care within the Pulmonary PAP Clinic. The primary focus is treating veterans with respiratory disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea and related cardiopulmonary diseases.
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Duties
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The core responsibility of this role is serving as a clinical liaison between pulmonary medical providers, veterans, and external equipment vendors. The therapist conducts clinical assessments, focused history takes, and physical examinations to evaluate treatment responses and compliance. Central to the position is downloading, tracking, and analyzing remote data from home CPAP and Bi-level devices to resolve compliance issues and educate families.
Additionally, the therapist maintains a computerized tracking database of patient demographics, equipment, and annual consultations. Beyond the clinic, the incumbent remains fully proficient in emergency settings, responding as a member of the rapid response team and performing advanced life support, blood gas sampling, and endotracheal intubation. The therapist also ensures equipment is decontaminated, properly maintained, and safe for home use.
Primary Duties, but not limited too:
- Clinical Assessments: Conduct clinical assessments, focused histories, and physical examinations of veterans with respiratory disorders to evaluate response to therapy.
- Clinic Liaison: Serve as the clinical liaison between clinicians, patients requiring home PAP units, and outside contracted vendors.
- Compliance Data Monitoring: Set up diagnostic studies, download, and interpret compliance data from remote respiratory and CPAP/Bi-level monitoring software.
- Compliance Interventions: Apply targeted instructional techniques and education to assist patients experiencing compliance issues with their devices.
- Provider Collaboration: Review and evaluate indications or contraindications for PAP therapy and notify providers of changes or failures to meet VHA criteria.
- Database Management: Maintain an accurate computerized database containing demographic data, diagnoses, historical medical data, and active equipment prescriptions.
- Emergency Response: Perform as an active member of the rapid response team, providing BLS, ACLS, and advanced airway management including endotracheal intubation.
- Diagnostic Sampling: Draw and analyze arterial or venous blood gas samples on an as-needed basis per provider orders.
- Equipment Troubleshooting: Assemble, clean, and troubleshoot respiratory equipment, including oxygen delivery, aerosol therapy, and lung expansion devices.
- Home Safety Education: Educate patients and caregivers on post-acute home safety, including oxygen fire prevention, electrical safety, and equipment infection control.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 41760F
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized
Requirements
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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.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- 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:
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. Licensing within the respiratory occupation is outside of the credentialing process. Those who have obtained their degree from an accredited program in respiratory care and hold a CRT or RRT credential may be granted a license from a state.
Credential. In the field of respiratory care there are two types of credentials granted in the credentialing process to becoming registered as defined below:
- CRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, Respiratory Therapists (RT) are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of CRT by the NBRC. RTs who hold a CRT credential are limited in duties and responsibilities and differ from those who hold an RRT credential.
- RRT. Upon graduation from an accredited program, RTs are eligible to take a national examination and upon passing, the individual is granted the credential of RRT by the NBRC.
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, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:
Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
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. Candidates must hold a CPFT or RPFT and RPSGT.
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 cardiopulmonary stress testing, metabolic testing and bronchoprovocation testing.
b. Ability to maintain all equipment related to pulmonary function and polysomnography testing.
c. Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function and polysomnography testing.
d. Knowledge of treatment for acute complications for all pulmonary function and polysomnography testing.
e. Skill in scoring data during and post diagnostic testing.
f. Skill in analyzing data during and post diagnostic testing.
g. Skill in preparing output for physician interpretation of data obtained both during and post diagnostic testing.
h. Skill in the calibrations and troubleshooting of polysomnographic equipment.
i. Skill in monitoring both physiologic and diagnostic parameters.
Preferred Experience:
Submission of Performance Appraisal
1 - 2 years respiratory care 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 GS11.
Physical Requirements: See VA HANDBOOK 5005/141
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
Whole Health Statement: The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model that is based in a partnership across time, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
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.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
