SUMMARY

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) adopts multiple roles to ensure functioning of the home sleep program, Pulmonary Function Testing and sleep pathways of care. The Sleep RT will provide clinical support to the Director of Sleep Medicine and will work within a team comprised of other Respiratory Therapists, Sleep Technologists, Sleep Program Office Manager & other personnel to assis administrative, technical and clinical operations of the VA Comprehensive Sleep Center.

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: To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following:

• 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.
• 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. Incumbent must hold a RPSGT.

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 REQUIREMENTS. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment:
Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12. The following assignments are advanced assignments. These advanced specialty assignments are limited in number and cannot be used for all or the majority of the staff/employees in the service/unit. The designated specialized areas in respiratory care include pulmonary, polysomnography and a combination of pulmonary/polysomnography. These three advanced specialized assignments are established for facilities where the structure and patient care supports the need for the assignment(s). The duties and responsibilities assigned to these positions are the full scope of the duties defined under the RRT, GS-11 full performance level assignment in conjunction with the duties defined below for the specialty. These specialized assignments are completed under the general supervision of a physician medical director who is qualified to supervise the RRT. Individuals assigned to one of these positions will use the designated title as shown below.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography).
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 including but not limited to; work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings; determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation;manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means.
b. Hold an active license and RRT credential.
c. Certification. Incumbent must hold a RPSGT

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data.
• Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment.
• Skill in monitoring both physiologic and diagnostic parameters.
• Skill in scoring data both during and post diagnostic testing.
• Skill in analyzing data both during and post diagnostic testing
• Skill in preparing output for physician interpretation of data obtained, both during and post diagnostic testing.
• Skill in the assessment of oxygenation, ventilation and adverse responses.

Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. RRTs at this grade level in this position compare and evaluate indications and contraindications for complex pulmonary function testing (PFT) and recognizes normal/abnormal results. They perform bronchoprovocation testing utilizing a variety of medications or methodologies. They monitor patients and recognize and initiate interventions for complications of testing. They perform an initial quality review of test results and ready them for physician interpretation and determine whether the patient meets the criteria for termination of testing. RRTs conduct quality control reviews of all tests performed and all pulmonary diagnostic equipment. They maintain lab records. They train and assess staff competencies in performing simple spirometry.
References: VA Handbook 5005 PART II APPENDIX G11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

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/.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR APPLICATION, RESUME, C.V., AND/OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WILL BE VERIFIED. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Area of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred to in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of facility.
2. All other VA employees
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies
4. All other applicants
Note: Veterans Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

DUTIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) include, but are not limited to the following:

• The incumbent’s responsibilities within the sleep program include working with the Director of Sleep Medicine and Chief of Respiratory Therapy to develop a home sleep study program using portable unattended monitoring devices and auto-titrating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) units to diagnosis and treat obstructive sleep apnea.
• The incumbent is expected to operate with considerable autonomy in implementing and administrating the day-to-day functioning of the home sleep study pathway. The responsibilities include:
• Maintains expertise in the applications and devices used in portable unattended home sleep apnea monitoring. Including technical aspects, care, cleaning and general indications for use of the following:
• unattended sleep apnea portable monitoring equipment
• auto-titrating and fixed (single pressure) CPAP units
• CPAP interface applications (masks)
• Conducts a sleep clinic where patients are instructed on the “hook up” procedures used with portable monitoring devices and auto-titrating CPAP units to be issued for home use
• Conducts portable monitoring and auto-titrating CPAP procedures in hospitalized patients suspected of having sleep apnea
• Educates other personnel, including respiratory therapists or physicians, in the use of portable monitoring when requested or required
• Maintains quality assurance in accordance with American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines and standards regarding Portable monitoring device and auto-titrating CPAP use
• Contributes to written administrative protocols regarding the home sleep study pathway when required
• Inventories, tracks and recovers portable sleep apnea monitoring equipment and auto-titrating CPAP units issued for home use or in- hospital use
• Trouble shoots patient questions regarding home sleep studies
• Manages home sleep study data in conjunction with the chief sleep technologist and the director of sleep medicine
• Conducts CPAP acclimatization procedures
• Conducts CPAP mask fittings/selections
• Functions as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, as needed, to meet the needs of the Respiratory Care Department.

Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 12575F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Licensure and Certification
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcrip

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/15/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12734373.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package