Respiratory Therapist

Indian Health Service • Phoenix, AZ

27d • Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of the position is to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the delivery of respiratory therapy services for neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients with acute or chronic cardiopulmonary disorders. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Requirements

• IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers.
• Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.
• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
• The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching and bending in the assessment and treatment of patients.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
• A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.
• Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance.
• Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.
• This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.
• Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).
• Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification.
• If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.
• To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.
• 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; religious; spiritual; community; social).
• You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience.
• You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
• Respiratory Therapist Series 0651 Individual Occupational Requirements
• Specialized Experience For positions at GS-07/08: Qualifying specialized experience must have demonstrated a knowledge of basic equipment used in respiratory therapy and included duties such as: Making regular rounds on hospital nursing units to review or collect clinical data to insure that the respiratory equipment is operating properly and in compliance with physicians' orders.
• Transporting, setting up, or testing the operation of and changing simple oxygen administering devices, e.g., masks and nasal cannulas with cylinder or centralized medical gas systems.
• Disassembling, cleaning, assembling, and sterilizing reusable respiratory equipment such as oxygen analyzers and regulators, including recognizing and reporting variations from expected results.
• Examples of qualifying experience include work as a practical nurse, nursing assistant, medical machine aid, medical technician, or respiratory therapy aid if the above duties were performed.
• Experience for GS-0651-07: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Independently providing emergency inhalation therapy treatments to critically ill and high risk patients.
• Sets up and operates pressure ventilators, pneumatic nebulizers to administer complex inhalation therapy treatments.
• Calibrates and maintains blood gas analyzer and blood gas supplies.
• Experience for GS-0651-08: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Performing a variety of difficult respiratory therapy such as administering various medications to patients with acute and chronic respiratory distress.
• Performs airway and tube care on intensive care patients.
• Sets up, manages and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment.
• You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• If you are substituting education for experience: You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades.
• Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package.
• Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.
• Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited.
• Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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/ .

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care, diagnostic testing, and therapeutic treatments for adult and pediatric patients in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings.
• Assess patients, perform respiratory procedures and diagnostic tests, monitor patient progress, and work with healthcare providers to develop and adjust treatment plans.
• Serve as a clinical resource by educating staff, maintaining respiratory equipment, supporting quality patient care, and ensuring accurate documentation.
• Educate and support patients and healthcare staff by providing instruction on respiratory treatments, equipment use, and breathing techniques to promote safe and effective care.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and records by ensuring equipment is functioning properly, documenting patient care, and supporting continuous, high-quality respiratory services.

Benefits

• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• 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.
• Learn more about federal benefits .
• 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree