Summary The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is responsible for providing basic and advancedRespiratory services to patients at VA Palo Alto Healthcare System. The RRT plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures, and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including mechanical ventilators, continuous positive pressure devices, oxygen monitors, carbon dioxide monitors, and oxygen saturation monitors. Responsibilities The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing the full range of clinical procedures related to respiratory care. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Administers a variety of therapeutic respiratory therapy treatments. Sets up and monitors respiratory equipment such as invasive and noninvasive ventilators, end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen delivery devices, and oximetry monitors. Performs bedside diagnostic tests to assess the respiratory status of patients. Calibrates complex respiratory equipment such as ventilators, analyzers to assure accurate performance. Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital ward patients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols, and Aerobika, chest physical therapy; draws arterial blood samples from patients via arterial puncture for transport to the Lab for analysis and uses oximeters to determine the level of oxygen. Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments given, various types of medications used, as well as the set up and operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautions. Make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values. Work Schedule: Part-Time, 36 hours per week 7:30pm-8am Weekdays, Weekends, and Holidays (Subject to change depending on patient needs) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Please select the response below, that represents how you meet the education requirement. 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. Exception. Respiratory Therapists, who are certified and working towards obtaining their "registration" credential, will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below. (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. (b) RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (e) Failure to Obtain Credential. (e) In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. 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 Determinations: Grade Determinations: GS-05 Respiratory Therapist: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. GS-07 Registered Respiratory Therapist: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential and demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. 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 oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. GS-09 Registered Respiratory Therapist: Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have: 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. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: 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 or Education, 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 In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 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.