SUMMARY

The incumbent serves as the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for Veteran Health Indiana at Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center within Patient Care Services. This assignment is full performance level. RRT’s at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in outpatient and inpatient settings. Respiratory therapy professionals frequently collaborate with specialists in medicine, pulmonology, cardiology, and anesthesiology.

QUALIFICATIONS

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-0601series 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-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT.

Grade Determinations: GS-11Experience, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have:

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
• 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 professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
• Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

Preferred Experience: RRT
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: The respiratory therapist is expected to be able to move, lift, bend, and stoop while performing duties with equipment, supplies, and patients. Respiratory therapists must demonstrate the ability to handle stressful, challenging situations in a positive manner.

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

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10) 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 with three core elements, 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 or 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.
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
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.

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.
NOTE: You must include qualifying specialized experience in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position’s grade level MUST be listed on your resume.
NOTE: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
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.

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 incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care.

A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties, both major and minor, including but not limited to:

• Has the skills in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.
• Determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation.
• Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.
• Administer respiratory medications including, but not limited to, nebulized medications, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, etc. and understand the adverse reactions and dosages.
• Performs oxygen therapy utilizing all available devices used to deliver oxygen.
• Responds to Code Blue -Provides CPR and oxygen needed to patients during cardiac and/or respiratory emergencies. Assists with transporting patients to appropriate care areas. Assists MD in intubation by providing the ET tube, suction, cricoid pressure, ETCO2 indicator, etc.
• Responds to Rapid Response Team (RRT)-Actively participates in assessing the patient’s condition. Assists with patients’ O2 requirements and transport.
• Responds to Nursing Alerts- Actively participates in assessing the patient’s condition. Assists with patients’ O2 requirements and transport.
• Participates with medical and nursing staff in treatment planning for patients with respiratory needs. This includes making recommendations to physicians regarding alterations in treatment plans.
• Responsible for assessing the respiratory status of patients by observing pulse rate, observing respiratory rate, auscultation of breath sounds, monitoring SpO2, and interpretation of blood gas results.
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
• May lead projects developing new policies, procedures, or protocols.
• Cleans, assembles, calibrates, and monitors complex respiratory/diagnostic equipment, including but not limited to ventilators, CPAP/BIPAP machines, transport ventilators, bedside spirometers, percussors, oximeters, and assisted-cough devices, AirVo’s and Nitric machines.
• Must be proficient and demonstrate competency and the ability to either set up or reprocess reusable medical equipment as applicable for all equipment for which you have been trained.
• Draws arterial blood samples and recommends potential changes in patient care plans, based on results. Can report and make recommendations of venous blood gas results.
• Documents patient care and/or procedures performed accurately in the computerized medical record system, on worksheets, and/or in logs as required.
• Assists in bronchoscopy and other complex respiratory procedures.
• Performs and/or assists physicians with testing and studies, including but not limited to oxygen saturation, end tidal/expiratory carbon dioxide, bedside spirometry, nocturnal oximetry, intubations, extubations, and therapeutic/diagnostic bronchoscopies and weaning parameters.
• Assesses the effectiveness of ventilation management including management of care of patient on CPAP/BiPAP, and developing plans for and implementing therapies, and techniques used to liberate patients from mechanical ventilation.
• Understand the advantages and limitations of each type of Respiratory Therapy equipment and can speak about its use and therapeutic technique
• Educates and trains new respiratory staff, students, and members of the patient healthcare team.
• Serves as a preceptor to lower graded staff.
• Educates patients on proper use of respiratory therapy treatments, including but not limited to nebulizers, CPAP/BIPAP machines, Incentive Spirometry, etc.
• Perform airway management to tracheal and endotracheal tubes.

Work Schedule:

• Night Shift: 6-12hr shifts from 7:30pm - 8:00am and 1-8hr shift from 7:30pm - 4:00AM / 11:30 PM - 8:00AM
• Alternating weekends
• Rotating Holiday

Compressed/Flexible:Compressed Variable Days
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement: #91349-A
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)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• RRT State License
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• 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 09/08/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12787421.

• 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