Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Tampa, FL

27d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Medicine Service of the James A. Haley Medical Center at Tampa VA Healthcare System. Duties are carried out throughout the medical center including all outpatient locations clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. Upon successful completion of the required orientation, training and competency assessment at the Tampa main campus, the employee will be assigned to the Riverview Community Outpatient Clinic.

Requirements

• 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 identification 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.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: RT's/RRTs appointed to the direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C 7403(f)
• Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
• 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.
• Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential
• Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level.
• RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT.
• RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment.
• Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care.
• GS-5 Respiratory Therapist Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-7 Registered Respiratory Therapist Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (GS-7): Ability to perform Respiratory Outpatient therapeutic modalities related to respiratory services.
• Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing CPAP /Home sleep studies.
• Pulmonary Function testing.
• Ability to independently provide specialized diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational respiratory services to Veterans in an outpatient setting.
• GS-9 Registered Respiratory Therapist, Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR, A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (GS-9): Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• GS-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist Experience, Licensure and Credential: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. OR, Hold an active license and RRT credential.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (GS-11): Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Ability to perform therapeutic Respiratory Outpatient modalities related to respiratory services.
• Ability to independently provide specialized diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational respiratory services to Veterans in an outpatient setting.
• Skill in Positive Airway Pressure (PAP/CPAP) services, Home Sleep Testing, Pulmonary Function Testing, and Home Oxygen evaluation and testing assessing CPAP /Home sleep studies.
• Pulmonary Function testing.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience working independently in an outpatient respiratory therapy environment.
• Experience managing a high-volume outpatient workload with limited direct supervision.
• Experience in a PAP/CPAP clinic, including patient education, mask fitting, troubleshooting, device downloads, and evaluation of PAP adherence.
• Experience performing spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, bronchodilator testing, and related pulmonary diagnostic procedures.
• Experience evaluating patients for home oxygen, including resting and exertional oximetry, oxygen titration, six-minute walk testing, and/or overnight oximetry.
• Experience using an electronic health record for clinical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Independently provides respiratory therapy services in an outpatient clinical setting.
• Reviews medical records, respiratory therapy consults, diagnostic information, provider orders, and pertinent clinical history prior to evaluating and treating patients.
• Assesses patients and uses clinical findings and diagnostic information to assist in developing and implementing appropriate respiratory care plans.
• Provides outpatient PAP services for Veterans receiving CPAP, APAP, BiPAP, or other prescribed positive airway pressure therapy.
• Performs patient assessment, equipment evaluation, mask fitting, and troubleshooting of PAP-related concerns.
• Reviews PAP device downloads and available compliance and therapeutic data according to established policy and scope of practice.
• Identifies potential problems with adherence, mask fit, leak, tolerance, equipment function, or effectiveness of prescribed therapy and communicates significant findings to the appropriate provider.
• Educates Veterans and caregivers regarding equipment use, cleaning, maintenance, adherence, mask interfaces, supplies, and applicable safety precautions.
• Coordinates respiratory equipment and supply needs with appropriate VA staff and contracted vendors.
• Provides instruction and education to Veterans undergoing Home Sleep Testing.
• Prepares and issues Home Sleep Testing equipment according to established procedures.
• Ensures Veterans understand proper placement and use of testing equipment and requirements for successful completion of the study.
• Downloads and evaluates study data for technical adequacy and identifies studies requiring repeat testing according to established procedures.
• Performs pulmonary function testing in accordance with established standards, medical center policies, and laboratory procedures.
• Testing may include spirometry, pre- and post-bronchodilator testing, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, respiratory muscle strength testing, and other pulmonary diagnostic procedures within the incumbent's competency and scope of practice.
• Performs equipment calibration, quality control, troubleshooting, and verification of test acceptability and reproducibility.
• Provides clear patient instruction and coaching to obtain technically acceptable studies.
• Evaluates Veterans for home oxygen needs in accordance with applicable clinical criteria, provider orders, VA policy, and established procedures.
• Performs and/or coordinates resting and exertional pulse oximetry, oxygen titration, six-minute walk testing, overnight oximetry, and other testing used in determining oxygen requirements as appropriate.
• Provides Veterans and caregivers with education regarding oxygen equipment, prescribed flow rates, equipment use, supplies, and oxygen safety.
• Reviews home oxygen needs and communicates clinically significant findings or changes in patient status to the appropriate provider.
• Coordinates with appropriate VA personnel and contracted oxygen vendors to facilitate safe and timely delivery of home respiratory equipment and services.
• Manages assigned outpatient workload independently and completes patient care activities in a timely manner.
• Prioritizes multiple consults, scheduled appointments, equipment needs, patient telephone calls, and other clinical responsibilities.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete documentation in the electronic health record.
• Communicates effectively with Veterans, caregivers, physicians, nurses, sleep medicine staff, pulmonary staff, respiratory therapists, prosthetics personnel, vendors, and other healthcare professionals.
• Identifies significant changes in patient status and communicates findings promptly to the appropriate healthcare provider.
• Demonstrates accountability for assigned workload and follows through on patient care needs.
• Maintains competency with respiratory diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
• Participates in equipment quality assurance, infection-control procedures, process improvement, competency activities, and other departmental initiatives.
• Performs other respiratory therapy duties appropriate to the assignment and grade as required.

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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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