Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Kings, NY

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Veterans Affairs is recruiting one full-time Registered Respiratory Therapist for the Nursing, Ambulatory Care Service at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center in Kings, New York. The therapist provides respiratory care to ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients, including outpatient positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy, and COPD care. The role involves independently administering complex respiratory treatments and selecting appropriate procedures, equipment, and techniques based on individual patient needs and responses.

The therapist assesses cardiopulmonary status and evaluates the effectiveness of treatment using physical examinations, monitoring, and diagnostic equipment. The position includes setup and monitoring of respiratory equipment, diagnostic testing, airway and tube care, and performing or assisting with bedside bronchoscopies as ordered. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-7 through GS-11.

This is a full-time, non-virtual position. The work schedule is 3:30 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Sunday, with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework, relocation incentives, and permanent change of station are not available. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by CoARC or its successor.
• A full, current, unrestricted state license to practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), maintained throughout employment.
• A valid, current, unrestricted RRT credential, maintained throughout employment; candidates without the credential must actively pursue it and obtain it within one year of appointment or risk removal from the series and possible termination.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-07: RRT credential and demonstrated ability to perform respiratory therapeutic modalities; analyze physiological specimens and basic diagnostic data; consult collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare professionals; assess oxygenation and ventilation; and perform basic airway management, including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• For GS-09: One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07 demonstrating the required clinical competencies, or a Master of Science degree in respiratory care together with a license and RRT credential; demonstrate skill in therapeutic modalities, collaborative consultation, oxygenation and ventilation assessment, and airway management including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• For GS-11: One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09 and an active license and RRT credential; demonstrate collaborative consultation for complex respiratory care and care planning, evaluation of therapeutic modalities, and advanced airway and ventilation management.
• Creditable experience must be in respiratory care, pulmonary function testing, or polysomnography, directly related to the position, and performed in paid employment as a CRT or RRT.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination or health assessment and satisfy applicable background and security investigation requirements.
• Subject to pre-employment urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing the test results in denial of employment.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon its completion.
• Must meet applicable physical standards under VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with intubation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently administer complex respiratory therapy to ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients, selecting suitable procedures, equipment, and techniques.
• Assess patients' cardiopulmonary condition initially and continuously using physical examination, respiratory monitoring, and diagnostic equipment.
• Clean, set up, and monitor respiratory equipment, including oxygen equipment, mechanical ventilators, CPAP/BIPAP machines, and therapeutic gas administration apparatus.
• Follow respiratory care protocols, including sputum collection for AFB, Rapid Response Team, ventilator-weaning, bronchodilator therapy, and oxygen protocols.
• Perform diagnostic tests including arterial blood gas analysis, spirometry, pulse oximetry, weaning parameters, peak flow, end-tidal CO2, metabolic testing, and negative inspiratory force testing.
• Perform or assist with bedside bronchoscopies, including right BALs, as ordered by a pulmonary physician.
• Perform respiratory care procedures throughout the medical center, including sputum collection for AFB, therapeutic aerosols, metered dose inhalers, oxygen therapy, chest physical therapy, and breathing exercises.
• Evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic modalities and analyze equipment operation and patient responses.
• Administer oxygen using standard low-flow and high-flow respiratory equipment.
• Provide airway and tube care, including nasotracheal and endotracheal suctioning; cleaning and securing tracheostomy and endotracheal tubes and sites; changing tubes per physician order; and monitoring tube cuffs.
• Consult respiratory-care literature regularly to stay current with alternative therapies and technical practices.
• At the GS-11 level, independently establish plans of care, manage airways and ventilation, implement complex respiratory care, monitor critical systems, suggest alternate treatments based on assessment and patient response, and serve as a preceptor to lower-graded staff.
• At the GS-11 level, the therapist may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement and may lead projects developing policies, procedures, or protocols.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type, and applicants are directed to review benefits information or contact the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree